Re: non linear ink and Photoshop curves

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From: Peter Marshall (petermarshall@cix.co.uk)
Date: 09/08/03-05:00:58 AM Z


> Anyone have any generalizations about why all of the printed output from
> quad (black/gray) inks I have tried aren't very linear in the printed
> output?
>
> In particular, they fall off dramatically between 100% & 99%. That
> causes
> some real congestion when preparing a compensation curve, so much so
> that I
> am thinking about mixing my own special ink percentages. Instead of
> 100%,
> 75%, 50% & 25%, I thought about trying 100%, 80%, 55% & 25% or maybe a
> greater departure. The 25% and down are fairly linear. Anyone else
> experience this??? Of course, in order to have experienced the
> problem, you
> need to have printed a step wedge with known values.
>
> FTR, I'm currently using MIS FS quadtone ink, but the above problem has
> existed in all the inks I have tried, in both my 1160 and 1520 printers.
> These same printers print perfectly in color.
>
> Actually, I have made some progress toward the holy grail - I actually
> have
> printed a step wedge with definiton in nearly 1% increments throughout
> the
> range - but there are still some nagging questions like the one above.
> More
> on that later, but in the meantime I would appreciate any feedback on
> this
> one. I tried this one on the Digital Fine Art list this morning and no
> replies.
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Nick
>
>
>
Nick,

I haven't found the tone curves from Cone Piezo inks to have a problem
with my 1160 - nice smooth ramp on the continuous section of the wedge I
use. I've also printed step wedges that show 1% steps through the complete
range. Cone is working on new icc profiles for the Piezotone inks which
will mean that the software rip that used to be needed is no longer
necessary, which will simplify printing using them.

These have been promised for several months and should be available for
the 1160 pretty soon I think.

I've not used any of the other quadtone inks, so I can't comment on the
results you are getting from these. I'm currently using the Piezotone
warmtone inks with the museum black.

Peter Marshall
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email: photography.guide@about.com
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