Ellie
On 14/1/03 at , Ellie Kennard wrote:
> I have it from somewhere- I'm not sure on what authority- that we
> shouldn't send CMYK files to our inkjet printers.
A <normal> inkjet printer prints via the <Quickdraw> pipeline, you
don't need to know what that means other than that it means the printer
DOES prefer RGB data. OSX may change this, on the Mac [with different
drivers like Gimp print] available, which is actually a free RIP.
A RIP would enable an inkjet to print CMYK data without converting it
back to RGB first, it may also allow for inklimiting and black
generation more suitbla for third party papers and inksets in your
inkjet.
I think that most photographers are best to stick with manufacturer
listed papers and the RGB pipeline if they can. However, Epson drivers,
for example, can be optimised to use <unusual> inks and papers, [we've
had a lot of success with lyson when used with custom profiles] but it
can be somewhat time consuming to work out ideal settings.
Any inkjet printer can, if one's available, be used with a Raster Image
Processor [RIP], which basically does 2 things. It allows Postscript
data to be printed [like fonts etc from page layout applications], and
takes control of the printer by acting as the driver. This means we can
get better control over how the ink is laid down. However, dithering
can suffer since most RIP's are made to proof press work, where a
coarse screen is not a problem.
> I understand that the printers take the file, change it back into
> RGB, then convert it back again into CMYK. This might mess with the
> colour, I understand.
With a <Quickdraw> printer it does mess with the colour, you'd be lucky
to get it right with that workflow.
> Does anyone have any official information about this, or is it
> possibly an 'Urban Legend'?
it's true
>
> Ellie
I guess you're the same Ellie? In Canada? How's it going with your
profilemaking now you have the Gretag kit?
Regards
NeilB
- - - - Consulting in Imaging & Colour Management - - - -
custom scanner and printer profiles, training on Trident & Imacon Scanning
- - - - - we supply Gretag and eyeOne, also XRite & OptiCal - - - - - -
p:44 (0)1273 774704 m:44 (0)7778 160201 http://www.neilbarstow.co.uk/
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