Luminous Landscape Forum
Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Printing: Printers, Papers and Inks => Topic started by: tgphoto on June 29, 2006, 07:15:17 pm
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Hi Gang,
Is it possible to print in 16-bit mode to an Epson 7800? If so, does it require a RIP to do it, or can this be done from the standard Epson drivers?
Thanks!
Tim
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Not quite what you're asking, but I print 16 bit TIFFs to my 2400 using QImage (which uses Epson's print driver).
Paul
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Well, I read that 16-bit files are essentially converted to 8-bit before they are sent to the printer, something having to do with printers being 8-bit output devices.
Since the new Canon iPF5000 features a 16-bit plugin capable of handling 16-bit files, it got me thinking if this is a feature available in the current Epson lineup, specifically, the 7800, which I own.
If the Epson doesn't handle 16-bit printing, then I should be converting to 8-bit before I print so I don't send such a huge file to the printer (or should I?).
One forum discussion suggested this was also an OS issue, with users claiming Windows can only handle 8-bit files whereas MacOSX can handle 16-bit files.
Guess I'm just looking for a bit of guidance, since the only place I can think of to get these questions answered is the Epson Print Academy, which is sold out unless I want to travel to NYC for a day.
Tim
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The Epson driver only handles 8-bit data. You don't have to convert (Photoshop will do this for you on the fly through Print with Preview). An Epson driven by ImagePrint can and does use 16-bit data path.