Digital BW, The Print

> 
> I print with a 1280 with U2 inks and either QTR or Paul Roark's
> curves.  I just read Paul's note on making a B&W ICC with a scanner 


> ... what improvements should I expect to see in
> my printing if I go this route?  

> I assume that 

1) there would be a much greater probability of the print matching 
> the image on the monitor and

Yes.

> 2) I could profile new papers. 

Yes.

> ... what other advantages should I expect 

> if I buy a scanner 

Or, buy the i1, or perhaps the ColorVision hardware that has been talked
about for about the same prince as the scanner.  Being able to read Lab
better than a scanner is a real advantage.  I would no longer pay $500 for a
scanner if it's just for this use.

> and learn how to use the ICC profile tool?

I think printing from a grayscale file from PS without having to mess with
the file is a big advantage.  It's an easier workflow once the ICC is done.

But if what you have is working for you, there is not reason to change.



From my perspective, Create ICC with the RGB curves will allow me to go to
the next level of control.  It makes the job of creating curves easy enough
for me, with an appropriate inkset, to get good control of the Lab a* axis.
Previously the ink tones of dedicated B&W inksets that I worked with were
either fixed or variable along only one axis.  This led to inevitable
compromises.  Most papers print differently.  I wanted to be able to print
my favored tones or hues on my various papers of choice.  I wanted the
flexibility to print on many different papers and achieve the results I
like.  Create ICC is going to make what would have been too difficult to
bother with, ... rather easy, actually.

Thank you Roy.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com