For use with MIS VM, VMS, UT & UT2 Inksets
Updated Mar 10, 2004
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These two images were printed using the same cartridge.
Read review of Paul's photography show.
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Below is the workflow provided by Paul Roark for making Variable Tone prints using an Epson
printer and MIS VM or VMS inks. The MIS variable-mix ink and the adjustment curves
produce beautiful prints that can be either warm-tone, neutral or cool. To see additional
samples of the variable tone images, go to Paul's web page.
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Note: See the new B&W Page for Workflow information on Ultratone inks.
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Ink Positions -
The variable-mix inksets have different ink positions than the MIS original quadtone inks. Each
ink is labeled C,M,Y,K,LC or LM. These are the positions that should be used. The 100%, 75%, etc
labels are not used on the Variable Mix inks. When viewing the cartridges that are installed in the
printer, an Epson 4 color printer is K,C,M,Y from left to right. An Epson 6 color printer is
C,LC,M,LM,Y from left to right. The black ink (K) always goes in the black cartridge.
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| Workflow -
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| 1. |
Edit the image in grayscale mode, save it, and then convert the mode to RGB for printing.
If you start with a color image it is best to optimize it as grayscale first, save it, and
then convert to the RGB mode for printing. Do not resave the image after you convert
to the RGB mode, or after applying the adjustment curvers, this is only for printing purposes.
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| 2. |
Load and apply the desired Image Adjustment Curve. These are the mouse clicks: (Image --- Adjust --- Curves ---
Load --- vmqxx --- Load --- OK) (Note: vmqxx is an example of
a curve file name located in a folder on your hard drive)
Use the table below to find the curves for your printer. In the PRINTER - CURVES
column, click on your printer to download a Zip file containing all the curves needed.
| Roark Variable Tone Workflow Curves |
| Printer - Curves |
Warm |
Med Warm |
Neutral |
Cool |
| 1160 - Mac |
vmm11-w5 |
vmm11-mw4 |
vmm11-nc4 |
vmm11-c5 |
| 1160 - PC |
vmq-w |
vmq-mw |
vmq-nc |
vmq-c |
| 1200 - Mac |
vm12-w7 |
vm12-mw7 |
vm12-nc7 |
vm12-c7 |
| 1200 - PC |
vmp12-w10 |
vmp12-mw11 |
vmp12-nc12 |
vmp12-c10 |
| 870/1270 - Mac |
vm27-w6 |
vm27-mw6 |
vm27-nc6 |
vm27-c6 |
| 870/1270 - PC |
vmp27-w11 |
vmp27-mw11 |
vmp27-nc11 |
vmp27-c11 |
| 870/1270 Mac or PC |
vm70-NCA-w1 |
vm70-NCA-nw1 |
vm70-NCA-nc1 |
vm70-NCA-c1 |
| 890/1280 - Mac |
vmm8-w |
vmm8-mw |
vmm8-nc |
vmm8-c |
| 890/1280 - PC |
vmp8-w21 |
vmp8-mw16 |
vmp8-nc16 |
vmp8-c14 |
1290 Mac or PC
VM Inkset on EAM Paper |
vm1290-w1 |
vm1290-gs1 |
vm1290-nc1 |
vm1290-c1 |
1290 Mac or PC
VMS Inkset on EAM Paper |
vms1290-s1 |
vms1290-gs1 |
vms1290-n1 |
n/a |
1290 Mac or PC
VM Inkset on PhotoRag Paper |
vmPR1290-w1 |
vmPR1290-gs1 |
vmPR1290-nc1 |
vmPR1290-c1 |
1290 Mac or PC
VMS Inkset on PhotoRag Paper |
n/a |
n/a |
vmsPR1290-n1 |
n/a |
| 2000P- PC |
vm2p-w9 |
vm2p-mw9 |
vm2p-nc9 |
vm2p-c9 |
| 3000 - PC |
vm3k-w |
vm3k-mw |
vm3k-nc |
vm3k-c |
| 7000 - Mac |
vmm7k-w12 |
vmm7k-mw12 |
vmm7k-nc12 |
vmm7k-c13 |
| 7000 - PC |
vm7k-w |
vm7k-mw |
vm7k-nc |
vm7k-c |
| 9000 - Mac Only |
vmm9k-w6 |
vmm9k-mw6 |
vmm9k-nc6 |
vmm9k-c6 |
| 9000 - Mac or PC |
vm9-NCA-w1 |
vm9-NCA-mw1 |
vm9-NCA-nc1 |
vm9-NCA-c1 |
| (This table shows the latest revision on the curve numbers.) |
To expand the file you will need WinZip for PC's
or Stuffit for Mac's.
The curves are for Epson Archival Matte (EAM or EEM) or Hahnamuhle Photo Rag.
When a curve is applied, the image will turn nice bright colors, but these are false colors.
The image is no longer WYSIWYG. This is for printing only, and should not be saved over
the good grayscale working file. Do not attempt to edit the image once the curve has been
applied.
(Note that a Photoshop Action (macro) can program a function key to convert to RGB, call
up and apply the desired adjustment curve/tone, and get the user into the print driver.
That is, this can be a one-button procedure/workflow.)
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| 3. |
Making the Print -
The Epson driver is used to print this inkset. The following table shows the Color Space,
Paper Setting and Mode to be used with each printer.
| Roark Variable Tone Workflow Settings |
| Printer |
Color Space |
Paper |
Mode |
1160 - Mac |
sRGB |
Matte HW |
Auto |
1160 - PC |
sRGB |
Matte HW |
Auto |
1200 - Mac |
sRGB |
PQIJ |
Vivid |
1200 - PC |
sRGB |
PQIJ |
Vivid |
870/1270 - Mac |
sRGB |
PQIJ |
Auto |
870/1270 - PC |
sRGB |
PQIJ |
Auto |
870/1270 Mac or PC (NCA)
See Note 12 |
Adobe RGB (1998) |
Matte HW |
No Color Adj |
1280 - Mac |
Adobe |
PQIJ |
Auto |
1280 - PC |
sRGB |
Photo |
Auto |
2000P- PC |
sRGB |
Arch Mat |
Vivid |
1290 Mac or PC (NCA)
VM Inkset - EAM Paper
See Note #15 |
Adobe RGB (1998) |
Photo Paper |
No Color Adj |
1290 Mac or PC (NCA)
VMS Inkset - EAM Paper
See Note #15 |
Adobe RGB (1998) |
Photo Paper |
No Color Adj |
1290 Mac or PC (NCA)
VM Inkset - PHotoRag Paper
See Note #15 |
Adobe RGB (1998) |
Photo |
No Color Adj |
1290 Mac or PC (NCA)
VMS Inkset - PhotoRag Paper |
Adobe RGB (1998) |
Photo Paper |
No Color Adj |
3000 - PC |
sRGB |
PQIJ |
Vivid |
| 7000 - Mac |
sRGB |
tbd |
tbd |
| 7000 - PC |
sRGB |
Photo |
Vivid |
7500 Mac or PC (NCA)
See Note 17 |
Adobe RGB (1998) |
Photo Paper |
No Color Adj |
9000 - Mac |
sRGB |
Photo |
Vivid |
9000 - Mac or PC (NCA)
See Note 13 |
Adobe RGB (1998)
Gray Gamma 2.2 |
PQIJ |
No Color Adj |
| Workflow Instructions: |
| 1. |
The Color Space is set in the general Photoshop Color Settings location --
click on Edit, Color Settings. |
| 2. |
In the Epson driver, set Print Space to Same as Source. |
| 3. |
Paper type "PQIJ" stands for "Photo Quality Ink Jet" paper. |
| 4. |
The print resolution is assumed to be 1440. |
| 5. |
If there is a gamma setting, set it to 1.8. |
| 6. |
The ink setting is "Color." |
| 7. |
In the Color Management section, check "Color Controls." This activates the
sliders. The Mode setting is show in the table above. |
| 8. |
Set High Speed = Off if heavy blacks or microbanding are present. |
| 9. |
If you have a Half Toning option set it to - Error Diffusion |
| 10. |
Sliders - Leave at 0 to start. On a four color printer,
the Yellow slider controls the toner. Use for fine-tuning only. More Yellow = cooler
print; Less Yellow = warmer print. Leave all other sliders at 0.
On a six color printer the Magenta slider controls the toner. Use for fine-tuning only. More
Magenta = cooler print; Less Magenta = warmer print. Leave all other sliders at 0. |
| 11. |
The Photoshop color settings (Edit, Color Settings) are the Photoshop 5
Default spaces. |
| 12. |
The curves for the 870/1270 have been improved. They are the 870/1270 Mac or PC (NCA) curves.
They use "No Color Adjustment" in the Epson driver. This makes them
cross-platform (Mac or PC). The curves were optimized on Epson Archival Matte paper
using paper type setting of "Matte Heavy Weight" and Adobe RGB (1998) Color Space.
Note that there is a curve called vm70-gs1 included in the zip file. This is for grayscale
printing. No RGB conversion is needed. It's a bit cool through most of the range, with
less tonal evenness than can be achieved with the RGB curves. (However, it makes an
excellent image.)
Also note that the "mw" curve has become the "nw" curve. This one
prints dead neutral on EAM until the deep shadows. Of course, it will warm up. It is
similar to the "mw" curves, but more evenly neutral.
NCA means, No Color Adjustment.
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| 13. |
For the 9000 Mac or PC (NCA) curves The important settings are: Adobe
RGB (1998) & gray gamma 2.2 in the Photoshop Edit-Color Settings box, and color ink,
Photo Quality Ink Jet paper, 1440 Super Fine, and "No Color Adjustment" in the Epson
driver. NCA means, No Color Adjustment.
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| 14. |
It appears the 785 can use the 1280 curves.
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| 15. |
For the 1290 printer, note that there is a grayscale curve included in the zip files.
They are the VM1290-gs1, VMS1290-gs1 and the VM1290PR-gs1 curves. This is for
grayscale printing. No RGB conversion is needed. These curves will make a neutral
warm print. Leave the file in grayscale, apply the curve and print. No RGB step
is needed. (Keep the printer set to "color" ink, however.)
PhotoRag Paper is Hahnemuhle PhotoRag. Use the PR curves with this paper on the 1290.
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| 16. |
See the new B&W Page for
Ultra-Tone Curves -
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| 17. |
See the new B&W Page for
Ultra-Tone Curves -
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| 18. |
See the new B&W Page for
Ultra-Tone Curves -
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Be sure to let the print dry before judging the color or tones. If you need a good grayscale
to work with, you can download the one we use.
If you would like to know more about how the Photoshop Curves are constructed, you can read the information provided
by one of our "expert customers", Dirk Hobman. Dirk explains how to make curves for the MIS UltraTone
B&W inks. Plus he offers a couple of graphic forms for keeping track of the data that is gathered in the process.
To read his article on B&W curve making, download this file... hobman.zip.
There is an excellent forum called
Digital B&W, The Print. The forum discusses all digital technologies related to
making monochrome prints from digital sources, including the MIS ink sets and
workflows. If you are using MIS inks or plan on using them, this is a great place to
find additional information and to contact current users.
If the above forum does not answer your questions, you can contact Paul Roark
paul.roark@verizon.net, if necessary.
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