Digital BW, The Print

Scanning, I print as much color as B&W and usually print B&W via QTR... 

I usually think of small prints (8X10) as proofs for 12X18 ...

Large color and QTR/B&W prints consistently look sharp from 35mm so
I've not paid much attention to small B&W print (proof) sharpness
until a new image that I want to print 8X10... 

Problem: This sharpness-demanding image (machinery with small details)
looks unsharp at 8.5X11 using QTR (sepia toned), but  distinctly sharp
using B-O. 

This seems not just contrast: unsharpness is obvious at edges of very
small type in the image as well as metal details.

I just ran a nozzel cleaning and nozzle check....everything looks perfect.

Question:.....Is QTR's use of multiple pigments inherently unsharp Vs
B-O's use of only two pigments?

> From: djon43
>
> Problem: This sharpness-demanding image (machinery with small details)
> looks unsharp at 8.5X11 using QTR (sepia toned), but  distinctly sharp
> using B-O.
>
> This seems not just contrast: unsharpness is obvious at edges of very
> small type in the image as well as metal details.
>
> I just ran a nozzel cleaning and nozzle check....everything looks perfect.
>
> Question:.....Is QTR's use of multiple pigments inherently unsharp Vs
> B-O's use of only two pigments?

Are you talking about BO with the Epson driver? It only uses one pigment,
the full black.

I would expect that QTR would be sharper, but I haven't tried it on the
2200. If it uses both dark and light black, and comes out fuzzier, it must
be the dithering algorithm. Or perhaps the driver includes some built-in
sharpening (i.e., edge enhancement), while QTR doesn't. You might see if you
can compensate with some unsharp mask up front.

Where I'd expect to see the advantage of light black is of course in the
light parts of the picture. I the dark parts, they're both going to be
spraying dark black dots.

--

Ciao,               Paul D. DeRocco
Paul                mailto:pderocco@...

> -----Original Message-----
> [mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of djon43
> Sent: Sunday, November 06, 2005 9:55 PM
> Subject: [Digital BW] Sharpness 2200 QTR vs B-O
> 
> Scanning, I print as much color as B&W and usually print B&W via QTR...

...

> 
> Question:.....Is QTR's use of multiple pigments inherently unsharp Vs
> B-O's use of only two pigments?
> 
I have no information to suggest your hypothesis is wrong. However, it seems
to me you could test this theory by printing the image in color using the
Epson driver.

On the other hand, I have noticed another potential source of reduction of
sharpness when creating curves with QTR. If one is not careful to limit the
total ink load there can be an overspray or bleeding effect that reduces the
clarity of fine detail. I've noticed this with some curves where the overall
ink limit (or black boost) is too high and I've had splattering near
contrast edges in deep shadows that have reduced the apparent sharpness. I
think it can happen with other parts of the image, but it's more apparent
with the black.

Since BO uses the Epson driver, it may not have this problem.

Tom Moore

... perhaps the driver includes some built-in
> sharpening (i.e., edge enhancement), while QTR doesn't. You might
see if you
> can compensate with some unsharp mask up front.

I certainly hope Epson doesn't sneak additional edge sharpening into
my workflow when I print Black-Only! 

In any case, I always use light unsharp masking on 35mm. The sharpness
difference is between the Epson Black-Only and QTR with exactly the
same file. 

I've been very happy with Epson's driver for color...never had a doubt
about sharpness. And I'm happy with Black-Only, also Epson's driver.
Doubts have arisen about sharpness with QTR. 

I'm using 2.3.10...have any releases previously had sharpness issues?

John Kelly/Albuquerque

> Ciao,               Paul D. DeRocco
> Paul                mailto:pderocco@i...
>

Thanks for the two suggestions: 

1) I'll print the image "in color" and compare to Black-Only.
2) I'll reduce ink limits. Yes, sometimes fine detail in deep blacks
does get plugged up. This does not seem to be the current issue, where
various light areas are unsharp. 


 However, it seems
> to me you could test this theory by printing the image in color
using the
> Epson driver.
> 
> On the other hand, I have noticed another potential source of
reduction of
> sharpness when creating curves with QTR. If one is not careful to
limit the
> total ink load there can be an overspray or bleeding effect that
reduces the

> clarity of fine detail.  
> Tom Moore
>