John Woolf has donated a very important workflow for making beautiful Quadtone prints using
either an Epson 1160, 3000 or 980 four color printer and the Epson driver. The unique part of
it is, that it will work for any inkset and paper combination. In essence, it is a generic
workflow that any one with Photoshop can accomplish.
PhotoShop Adjustment Curve Technique for Quadtone Printing
With MIS Full Spectrum Quadtone Inks
By John Woolf
The following is a simple, visually based, technique for creating continuous tone, virtually
dotless monochrome prints on the Epson 1160, 3000 or 980 printer. It should work well
with other four-color printers (e.g., 860, 880). This technique will work with the
Original MIS Quadtone inkset or the new MIS Full Spectrum Quadtone inkset.
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| 1. |
Image Preparation -
- Edit image and make sure it is in Grayscale.
- Make a copy of your file.
- Flatten all layers of your copy file.
- Apply MIS Full Spectrum Curve (fullspec.acv - 1160 or fullspec1.acv - 3000 or 980.acv - 980 printer) -
it makes the image darker.
( Download for 1160 or
Download for 3000 or
Download for 980
or recreate either using data below - see section 7)
It is a zip file (1 kb). To expand the file you will need
PKZip for PC's
or
Stuffit
for Mac's.
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| 2. |
Make a Test Print -
Use these settings in the Epson 1160 Print setup page.
For the 1160 or 980, use the settings shown in the above graphic.
For the Epson 3000 use the following settings
Gamma = 2.2
Paper Type = Photo Quality Inkjet Paper
Micro Weave = Super
Error Diffusion = On
Resolution = 1440 SuperFine
Mode = Photo Realistic.
Make sure your test file is in grayscale mode and the Epson driver is set to color.
Now make a print.
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| 3. |
Evaluate Test Print and make Correction Adjustment Layer Curve -
Once you have made a print with the MIS Full Spectrum Curve, properly illuminate your test
print and view it next to your monitor. Compare it to the test file on the screen.
Important: Make sure that the adjustment layer curve is unchecked - off -
when making comparison to your print.
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| 4. |
Fine tuning the Curve -
Depending upon your monitor's gamma setting (the Full Spectrum Curve assumes a gamma
of 2.2), the ambient light in your room and the paper you are printing on, you may
have to make a minor adjustment. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO EDIT THE FULL SPECTRUM CURVE.
It is much easier to make a second curve or levels adjustment layer for minor
corrections.
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| 5. |
Save the Curve Correction Adjustment Layer -
Save this curve or levels adjustment layer and give it a name (e.g., the name of the paper
you are printing with). You may have to make a new curve for each paper you use.
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| 6. |
Refine the Correction Curve -
Make a print with MIS Full Spectrum Curve and your correction
curve or levels adjustment layer. Compare this print to the image on the monitor. It
should be a close match. Continue refinement until you are satisfied. Apply the MIS
Full Spectrum and your correction curve or levels adjustment layer to each file before
you send it to the printer.
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