Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "John" 
<firewoodtech@y...> wrote:
> 
> I always print with Photoshop 7 using "print with preview" and 
> at "Print Space" I always select Profile: Same as Source.
> 
> Am I doing it correctly or should I choose "Gray Gamma 2.2" or 
> something else?
>

John:

I just setup a C86 with EZW inks and followed Paul Roark's 
suggestions at www.paulroark.com to run two sets of test prints.
BTW, Inksupply.com's support is excellent.

In the Photoshop print preview menu, you can leave "Set Other 
Options" unchecked.  In the Epson printer properties menu, 
select "Advanced".  In my case, I print on Epson Enhance Matte paper, 
select "heavyweight matte", "Best Photo", leave the menu settings  
checked - high speed, etc.  Select either gamma 1.8 or 2.2 then set 
Brightness to +3 and Contrast to -15 for Epson Enhanced Matte paper 
per Paul Roark's suggestions.

MIS EZ inks are designed to let the printer control the profile.  The 
image should be converted to grayscale before printing <Image> <mode> 
<grayscale>.  If you use gamma 1.8, the shadows are opened, i.e. more 
detail but the blacks are not as deep as when gamma is set to 2.2.  
At gamma 2.2, the shadows are more closed.

I ran two sets of test prints, one set at gamma 1.8 and one set at 
gamma 2.2.  As stated above, at gamma 1.8 the shadows are opened but 
the blacks are not as deep as a gamma setting of 2.2.  Which gamma to 
use is a personal choice and how one likes their carbon pigment ink 
prints to look.  My preference is gamma 2.2 but this may vary 
depending on the image.

Paul Roark' website, www.paulroark.com is a must read.  I am very 
thankful, Pual spent the time and money to develop printer profile 
settings for various papers - thank you Paul.

Rod