Digital BW, The Print

On Monday, May 26, 2003, at 10:19  AM, nevnevsf wrote:


Hi Nev,

Thanks for responding... ;)

>
> In other printers (Epson 1280 and Epson 870) I found choosing "No
> Color Control" put too much ink down on the paper, so I've always used
> "Color Controls" but left them at the default settings when using an
> ICC workflow.

There was some talk about using the color controls a while back on 
other lists (for color printing) because they appeared to have a better 
linear neutral ramp, but when using color controls with profiles 
intended for NCA (as they should be used AFAIK), it was restricting the 
gamut etc... quads aren't color of course, but good consistent behavior 
is still important.

The only way I achieve consistent, printer to printer, monitor to 
print, printer to printer results, is with good profiles, and NCA.

> Although the "Automatic" dropdown selection implies
> Epson changes ink output on the fly the output is in fact stable (at
> least that's what I've found). Too much ink was more of a problem for
> me before because I was using glossy paper with color ink and
> excessive ink would cause bronzing.

I have always gone by the thought that the profiles you create cannot 
be cross platform when using the drivers color controls. Rather you 
should use NCA, the file converts to the profile and all variables are 
dictated by the profile/rendering intent/media setting etc... not color 
managed in the driver.

Any profile I have, canned, custom ... uses NCA. So I was just curious, 
if you are developing actual "profiles" for quads with software you 
have developed... why you choose a different approach...  If you were 
finding too much ink being layed down with NCA, is that not a profile 
issue?


> However, now I'm using quadtone inks and matte paper. I'll try
> re-profiling with the "No Color Adjustment" selected and see what
> happens.

Have you tried evaluating different media settings using NCA.

I hope you find your solutions and enjoy the process...
Carolyn