Digital BW, The Print

Hello Chris,

>I must admit I'm quite confused again regarding the use of QTR with 
>the Epson r220...I asked for clarification, and this was his 
>response:
> 
>>"As you've probably guessed for far -- all questions and all 
>>answers are usually much more complicated and nuanced than one 
>>would think..."

This is the sort of thing I was alluding to when I said "the devil is
in the details".  There is a lot to learn, and it really has to be
learned by actual practice. 


>At this point I'm not sure I have the technical expertise to make 
>my own curves for this purpose.  I am trying to keep it simple and 
>work with available resources.  

It can be daunting in the beginning, which has been my motivation in
writing the articles on my web site - to help people get started with
as simple and easy a methodology as possible.  At this point all the
information you have gathered is theory and it's nearly impossible to
sort it all out.  Once you get some actual experience all of this
stuff will begin to make more sense.  

The 220 is an excellent entry path, and I recommend having another
look at the Variable Tone 220 article (#10). It is a step by step
outline (including what inks to get) that will get you going very
quickly. It allows you to get started making good prints without
requiring any profiles, curves or RIP.  There is nothing to lose by
starting that way (it uses the same inks) and you'll gain much
valuable experience, plus you'll have a frame of reference: prints to
compare with those from any other techniques you try later.  Any time
you feel ready you can dip your toe into the QTR waters and try some
of the other techniques.

Just get started doing actual printing.  That's the most important
thing.  


Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm