Digital BW, The Print

I'm just not getting it. I am printing with a E2200 using UT7 inks on a Mac. At 
this point, I have MIS PK in the K slot, and MIS LC in the yellow position.

When I print using no curves(i.e. - 16 bit grayscale file; printer space "same as 
source"), the prints essentially match what I'm seeing on screen; not bad, in 
fact pretty sweet. However, when I try to use Paul's curves(switching first to 
48bit RGB, creating a new curves layer and then loading the appropriate 
curve, and finally printing), the prints emerge looking extremely low in contrast 
as if the black jets aren't firing. I was getting the same results with Eboni Black 
as well. I MUST be doing something wrong, although I have read through 
Paul's workflow several times, and can't seem to discover where I'm getting 
lost.

Honestly, aside form the usual suspects (bronzing, wheel tracks, micro-
banding), the prints I'm getting without Paul's curves are pretty good (albeit a 
tad warm do to the PK inks). But I would love to have the control over print 
tones that the UT7 inkset is capable of.

Any help will be mucho appreciated!

TIA,
Guy Staley

Guy,
 
>... E2200 using UT7 inks on a Mac... MIS PK in the K slot, 
>and MIS LC in the yellow position.

>When I print using no curves(i.e. - 16 bit grayscale file; 
>printer space "same as source"), the prints essentially match 
>what I'm seeing on screen; not bad, in fact pretty sweet. 

>However, when I try to use Paul's curves(switching first to 
>48bit RGB,

48 bit may be overkill.  24 bit works fine.

> creating a new curves layer and then loading the appropriate 
>curve, and finally printing),

The layer must be the top one.

> the prints emerge looking extremely low in contrast 
>as if the black jets aren't firing.

The dmax ought to be the same whether curves are used or not.

Be sure the driver "Color Management" section is set to "No Color
Adjustment."

I'm not sure what else to suggest.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your reply.

The missing bit of info was: "Be sure the driver "Color Management" section is 
set to 'No Color Adjustment'..." - Somehow, I missed that and actually 
transposed your instructions for printing with the sliders(where you specifically 
write "Color Management: Color Controls checked, Mode = Standard") into 
your instructions for printing with the curves. Upon re-reading, I now see that 
you specify "No Color Management" for use with the curves.

The curves now print properly.

Thanks so much!
-Guy

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Roark" <
paul.roark@v...> wrote:

> Guy,
>  
> >... E2200 using UT7 inks on a Mac... MIS PK in the K slot, 
> >and MIS LC in the yellow position.
> 
> >When I print using no curves(i.e. - 16 bit grayscale file; 
> >printer space "same as source"), the prints essentially match 
> >what I'm seeing on screen; not bad, in fact pretty sweet. 
> 
> >However, when I try to use Paul's curves(switching first to 
> >48bit RGB,
> 
> 48 bit may be overkill.  24 bit works fine.
> 
> > creating a new curves layer and then loading the appropriate 
> >curve, and finally printing),
> 
> The layer must be the top one.
> 
> > the prints emerge looking extremely low in contrast 
> >as if the black jets aren't firing.
> 
> The dmax ought to be the same whether curves are used or not.
> 
> Be sure the driver "Color Management" section is set to "No Color
> Adjustment."
> 
> I'm not sure what else to suggest.
> 
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com