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 and 
here is the dumb question:  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 
2) I could profile new papers.  The Epson 1600 seems to run about $500 
refurbished which is a lot, especially given that I am coveting a 
2400.  So, while I realize the answer is subjective, what other 
advantages should I expect if I buy a scanner and learn how to use the 
ICC profile tool?

Thanks,

Steve

> 
> 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

In a message dated 3/3/06 5:19:27 PM, kobrins@... writes:


> 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 and
> here is the dumb question:  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
> 2) I could profile new papers.  The Epson 1600 seems to run about $500
> refurbished which is a lot, especially given that I am coveting a
> 2400.  So, while I realize the answer is subjective, what other
> advantages should I expect if I buy a scanner and learn how to use the
> ICC profile tool?
> 

This is a rather self serving suggestion, but even back when I was developing 
scanner-based printer profiling products, I always told people not to go out 
and buy a scanner because they needed a patch reader; to only buy a scanner if 
they really wanted that scanner, for actual scanning purposes. If what they 
wanted was to ready in patch values, to get a patch reader; its a much more 
exacting solution. Don't know exactly what import options are available in the 
software in question; but for $500 you could have a lot more options from a copy 
of PrintFIX PRO, for linearizing B&W products, for profiling color printers, 
etc... unless you are actually looking to scan images; and the B&W thing is 
just a fringe benefit.

C. David Tobie
Product Technology Manager
ColorVision Business Unit
Datacolor Inc.
CDTobie@colorvision.com
www.colorvision.com


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