Digital BW, The Print

Being relatively new at all this perhaps this question is "old stuff" and "off topic" to many here 
and I'm showing off my ignorance on the subject, but here goes: 

In my web searching for more and more info I have noticed that some inkjet paper/supply 
web sites that offer ICC files charge for these files ($25 or more) while others do not. Is there 
any real difference between files from one place or another. I understand that were these files 
custom made ICC files there would be a reason to charge but nothing is said about that... just 
that they are the ICC file corresponding to a particular type of paper.

Profiles carefully made for your specific paper/printer combination (that is, targets printed on your printer)  will almost always be better than the stuff you get that is 'pre'off-the-shelf'.  However, the newer printers are so well quality controlled that a well made profile made for one printer/paper/other variables combination will generally work well on like printer/conditions.
   
  The key to 'off-the-shelf' is how well made they are.  It's difficult for anyone to try all of those available.  So, the best bet would be to start with the 'free' ones provided by the paper manufacturer/providers and go from there.  For instance, the profiles made by Bill Atkinson for the Epson materials seem to be quite good.  Only if you don't get good results should you go to the pay-for-profile option.  Then you might consider getting custom profiles for your specific needs.
   
  Good luck.
   
  Tom Baker
  

David <dlmorrow1@...> wrote:
          Being relatively new at all this perhaps this question is "old stuff" and "off topic" to many here 
and I'm showing off my ignorance on the subject, but here goes: 

In my web searching for more and more info I have noticed that some inkjet paper/supply 
web sites that offer ICC files charge for these files ($25 or more) while others do not. Is there 
any real difference between files from one place or another. I understand that were these files 
custom made ICC files there would be a reason to charge but nothing is said about that... just 
that they are the ICC file corresponding to a particular type of paper. 



         


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

David,  One important thing to pay attention to when using pre made
profiles, is that you use the printer settings that were used to create it;
i.e. Enhanced Matte, Watercolor?  Whatever their text sheet tells you that
they used. After you plug that in and make a few prints, then play around
with other settings and see if something just looks or feels better. 

 

Eric Neilsen Photography

4101 Commerce Street, Suite 9

Dallas, TX 75226

214-827-8301

http://ericneilsenphotography.com

 

Skype : ejprinter

  _____  

From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Tom Baker
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 12:09 PM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Digital BW] ICC files

 

Profiles carefully made for your specific paper/printer combination (that
is, targets printed on your printer) will almost always be better than the
stuff you get that is 'pre'off-the-shelf'. However, the newer printers are
so well quality controlled that a well made profile made for one
printer/paper/other variables combination will generally work well on like
printer/conditions.

The key to 'off-the-shelf' is how well made they are. It's difficult for
anyone to try all of those available. So, the best bet would be to start
with the 'free' ones provided by the paper manufacturer/providers and go
from there. For instance, the profiles made by Bill Atkinson for the Epson
materials seem to be quite good. Only if you don't get good results should
you go to the pay-for-profile option. Then you might consider getting custom
profiles for your specific needs.

Good luck.

Tom Baker


David <dlmorrow1@yahoo. <mailto:dlmorrow1%40yahoo.com> com> wrote:
Being relatively new at all this perhaps this question is "old stuff" and
"off topic" to many here 
and I'm showing off my ignorance on the subject, but here goes: 

In my web searching for more and more info I have noticed that some inkjet
paper/supply 
web sites that offer ICC files charge for these files ($25 or more) while
others do not. Is there 
any real difference between files from one place or another. I understand
that were these files 
custom made ICC files there would be a reason to charge but nothing is said
about that... just 
that they are the ICC file corresponding to a particular type of paper. 

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]