Datacolor User to User Support Group.

On 3/23/06 6:54 PM, "Helen Bach" <helenbach@...> wrote:

> I'll try other media settings. I'd like to try to understand how the
> media settings affect this. If a 0,0,0 pixel gets printed as a square
> with an L* of 2.5 and an 18,18,18 pixel gets printed as a square with
> the same L*, where has the media setting come in? Too much ink? 
> 
> The above example comes from the profile with no adjustments. I am
> using the Epson Premium Glossy setting for Epson Premium Glossy paper.
> I've checked the spectro against my calibrated TR924 densitometer, and
> they agree closely.

Helen,

I tested a couple of glossy papers on my 4800 and the Semi-Matte setting opened up the 
shadows a little more than Epson's recommended media setting...but just a little.

I have since switched to matte black...my first test prior to profiling is printing a ten patch 
grayscale from 100% to 90% with about five media settings. Mainly to find the best setting 
to keep the shadows open as the Epson driver has a tendency to bring black in fast.

You might have read my post below a few weeks ago as it's really helped with delicate 
shadow detail:


" I too have found media settings are fairly close to each other but I wanted to explore a 
little more. Epson's black usually comes in hard and fast, less so with the newest printers 
but I wanted to find the media setting that has smoothest black from 100% to 90%.

So I recently tested to find the "best" media setting for William Turner paper on my Epson 
4800.

I printed a ten patch gray ramp from 100% to 90% with five media settings.

My Excel results are below for William Turner on an Epson 4800:

http://homepage.mac.com/johnvito/WilliamTurnerMediaSettings.png

From 100% to 90% only two media settings show linear density loss albeit stepped at 
times. While the other three actually have spiked increases in density ˆ called reversals ˆ 
on some patches. For example Epson's Enhanced has the same density at the following 
patches: 100%, 99% and 97%. As you can see the 98% patch has a lower density. Another 
reversal at 94%.

My choice is the UltraSmooth media setting, as it has the most linear path in the shadows."