Dan Culbertson's latest quadtone actions

[Harry Saddler <hsaddler@pacbell.net>]

Hi Dan,

Ok, finally some results using the latest quadtone actions (Culbertson Quad
Rv B Oct 99.atn, B-16 bit sep curve c.ACV, Inks setup for separations.api,
Inks setup for viewing.api) that you recently sent me.

First, the good news: some great prints! I just got the first Epson quadtone
print that made me say "oh, wow" when it came out of the printer. Nice
blacks, even tone, very smooth dot pattern.

I went through dozens of test prints getting to this point. Here's what I
ended up tweaking in your actions and files (note: I'm using MIS 6-tone
inkset and Luminos Preservation Soft Suede paper with the Epson 1200):

The main change was to the CMYK setup file "Inks setup for viewing.api". I
changed the Y value for the K ink to zero to get enough ink on the paper. I
don't have a profile program, so I'm making semi-blind guesses here. Are
those programs of any value for profiling quadtone inks?

I also don't have a RIP, so I used your CMYK->RGB action. I ended up setting
the opacity of the separated black layer to 100%, again to get a
sufficiently saturated black. What quality might I be losing by not using a
RIP here? I'd buy one, but I can't predict what it'd do for me.

Finally, I'm using the "glossy film" media type setting in the Epson driver
as it seems to generate the most black ink.

As you can see, my main problem has been getting black enough blacks. I
don't know whether this is characteristic of the Luminos Preservation papers
or not (I'm using the same settings with their Gallery Gloss paper as well).

That's it for now. If you tweak the actions or files further, I'll give them
a try. And if you want to consider me a beta tester, you could make me a
profile for Luminos Preservation Soft Suede and MIS inks (hint, hint).

Thanks for the good work and advice,

Harry

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