[Leica] question on paper profiling

[rgacpa at yahoo.com (Bob Adler)]

Ken,
I think a RIP will usually give you a better output, visually and 
technically, than a non-RIP solution.?So that's the first?decision you need 
to make. Most "custom" profilers will ask you to send in a target, they'll 
measure it and send you back the ICC profile. With a RIP that you build the 
profile, first you linearize it, then you print targets and measure them. 
The?linearization process, as I understand it, ensures that you have 
a?consistent output throughout your tonal scale for?C, M, Y and K.?This 
essentially maximizes the?tonal gradations for your printer. Add that a RIP 
has more control over output than most software packages (e.g., CS3) and you 
have a better looking print IMO. I've done both.
So,?in a nut shell, from least expensive/time consuming to most:
1. Have custom profiles built for you; repeat as needed.
2.Purchase ImagePrint, which provides you with a RIP and canned profiles, 
but you can't make your own profiles.
3.?Make your own ICC profile by buying a spectrophotometer (apprx. $1,400 
for?one that will?work consistently well), but you print through your 
application, not a RIP
4.?Buy a RIP that?comes with some?profiles, but allows you to create your 
own?for any paper or?inkset. You?need #3 above plus the RIP software (apprx. 
$700 for?Colorburst, which is what I use). Total cost for a <17" printer = 
apprx. $2,100; not cheap.

I love my Colorburst. The documentation truly stinks, but they have good 
people to walk you through the process, and when you've done it once, it's 
easy to repeat.
Hope this helps some.
Best,
Bob
?Bob Adler
Palo Alto, CA
http://www.raflexions.com



----- Original Message ----
From: Ken Carney <kcarney1@cox.net>
To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:51:59 PM
Subject: [Leica] question on paper profiling

I would like to try to tap the intel of the LUG on this possibly OT
question.? I am thinking about buying an Epson 3800.? Now I have an Epson
2200 with ImagePrint 6.0, and an R1800 with custom profiles.? I like
ImagePrint, and I see IP 7 for the 3800 is $900.? I have been looking at
some hardware/software profiling solutions for not much more than that, but
have no experience with any of them.? Do any of you have experience with
paper profiling solutions in that price range?? My thought is that with my
own profiling gear, I can create profiles for any printer/paper, for my
printer as opposed to the printer the custom profile maker has.? Any
thoughts appreciated!

Ken


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