Zedphoto wrote: > I just saw a posting by Mark Williford on his Prorental group in which he > stated that "Epson paper allows for 21 shades of grey to be printed but that > the Epson driver turns the darkest 5 shades black" - he was arguing that a > RIP allows one to linearize the printer and thus get the full range. > > I use an 1160 profiled by the very wonderful Mr.Holm and print my Digital > Aim Prints straight from Photoshop using his instructions and profile and > I'm very pleased with the results. I was under the impression that a RIP > would only really be of use to me if I wanted to go via a Postscript program > like Quark to print images and layouts.
Allan, you are right. I've replied this to Prorental but as it's a screened/censored list (Mark decides what appear in everyones mailbox) it may not pop up. Here's my reply though, In apologize for the cross posting: > Mark Williford wrote: > >> Epson paper allows for up to 21 shades of gray to be printed...however when >> you use the Epson driver the darkest 5 shades just turn black... > > Mark I respectfully disagree, most Epson printers can, in an unprofiled state > print in excess of 80 shades of grey, and the last 5 only goes black if you > use a media that does not have a corresponding paper setting (linearization) > that suits it. >> one feature of >> a RIP is that it will allow you to 'Linearize' a desktop printer to allow all >> 21 shades of gray to be printed... > > True. If you use third party papers or inks you often will have a superior result when using a RIP. > >> the RIP will also replace the RGB to CMYK >> Epson driver resulting in better color... > > If you have the printer properly linearized and profiled, and compare that > with an Epson printer (not the 1290) running Epson paper you will be hard > pressed to see the difference. You will also be hard pressed to measure a > difference! > >> as an added bonus a RIP may also create a CMYK simulation. >> emulating a loose color proof of a 4 color press that the image will >> ultimately be printed to... > > Indeed, but so can an Epson with an RGB driver - again discounting the 1290 > who have a gamut which is a bit too narrow as you need to use it in > PhotoRealistic mode to have it reasonably well linearized. > >> so if you want to help your >> corporate client print the proper color of their corporate logo a RIP will be >> a great asset... > > Mark, the only real benefits of a RIP is the following: > � Postscript printing (eps files) - the Epson QuickDraw/GDI driver doesn't > print postscript with an adequate resolution. > � Printer driver is on a stand alone machine which will free up processor time > on a workstation, and enable printing on multiple machines. > �Hot-folder capability on some Rip's. > � Multiple queues to set up simulation for different processes at the same > time (and a very shallow learning curve for users). > � Better color on third party paper/inks provided you have the means to > linearize and profile the printer (Eye One Photo is probably the cheapest > solution). Oh, and don't forget the know how - STEEP learning curve. I've been > profiling RIP's and printers for 5-6 years and I'm still learning and > improving on my results. Spending a day on a proper linearization and profile > is not uncommon, if the printer uses pigmented inks. > > There are many good reasons to use a RIP but getting the color of you logo > right is not (necessarily) one of them... Best Regards Thomas Holm / Pixl ApS - Photographer & Colour Management Consultant - Adobe Certified Training Provider in Photoshop� - Apple Solutions Expert - Colour Management - Imacon Authorized Scanner Training Facility - Remote Profiling Service (Output ICC profiles) - Seminars speaker and tutor on CM and Digital Imaging etc. - Home Page: www.pixl.dk � Email: th[AT]pixl.dk -- =============================================================== GO TO http://www.prodig.org for ~ GUIDELINES ~ un/SUBSCRIBING ~ ITEMS for SALE
