i1 Photo Pro 2 vs. i1 Publish Pro 2

[dgberg]

Anything in the Publish version over the Photo version for a printmaking studio. No CMYK printers.
One of our printers is a dye sub converted Epson 4880 using Sawgrass inks and driver.
I would like to profile with another ink and stop using the sawgrass driver.
Am pretty sure I will have to get the Wasatch rip to accomplish what I really want to do here.
Just want to make sure I have the best software for my shop.
Publish is $2,000 and the Photo version is only $1,283 on Amazon. (X-Rite has it for $1,550)
A little concerned that something is missing from the Amazon (Adorama) kit as X-Rite has a history of holding pretty firm with their pricing structure.
Looking to upgrade from my Color Munki system.

Just read Keith Coopers review on the Photo Pro 2 version, good read.

[howardm]

I'm 99.9875% sure that all that is missing is the CMYK module.  That is the only thing that shows up as 'missing' when I run i1Profiler w/ the 'Photo' version.  The Photo version *does* include all the OBC stuff and various fixtures.

FYI, I paid less than 1283 last year.

[Czornyj]

i1Photo only lacks CMYK/device link profiles creation, but you may need to create CMYK type profile for dye sub Epson when you'll start using Wasatch.

[howardm]

But I think you can 'add-on' the module after the Photo purchase if need-be (contact XRite to verify)

[Czornyj]

But I think you can 'add-on' the module after the Photo purchase if need-be (contact XRite to verify)

I'm not so sure - at least I've never seen such option on a price list.

[howardm]

I just contacted XRite and they said:

Yes there is, its called EOPROF-UPGA for $875

So whether it's economically 'worth it' is another question depending on if it's only available from XRite (MSRP) or
through normal retail channels.

[Czornyj]

I just contacted XRite and they said:

Yes there is, its called EOPROF-UPGA for $875

So whether it's economically 'worth it' is another question depending on if it's only available from XRite (MSRP) or
through normal retail channels.

Upgrade A upgrades any i1Pro/i1Pro sensor to full version of i1Profiler. In other words, there's no reasonable i1Photo to i1Publish update path.

[mcpix]

You can do what I did and pick up a used i1 Pro kit off ebay. I got mine for $300 and it worked great to create a profile for my dye sub Epson 4880. You have to run the older x-rite software, but if you have a computer with an older operating system (I used a laptop with Mac OS 10.6, Snow Leopard) it works great.

Here's a link to a similar i1 Pro on eBay.
i1 Pro on eBay
This auction ends tomorrow and it's still under $200.

If you stick with the standard 8 ink set up you won't need to buy the Wasatch rip.

[dgberg]

Thanks to all.
I like the eBay option but may go new as my computers all have the latest OS.

[mcpix]

One more quick thing about the older i1 kit is that the software includes a profile editor. This is really handy for dye sublimation work, as I've found that most dye sub profiles need a little tweaking. I'm not sure if the newer software includes the profile editor.

[dgberg]

So once you make your profile you print through the Epson driver on the transfer paper with no future need of the Sawgrass driver?
I have terrible problem with my blacks using the Sawgrass driver.

[mcpix]

Yes. You just print with the Epson driver and select the dye sublimation profile. The only other consideration is what paper type to select. I've found that choosing "presentation matte" gives me the best results.

[dgberg]

Am assuming you press the paper onto the metal then read the targets off the Chromaluxe glossy metals?
How does the spectra read off a glossy surface?
Must be good if your getting a good profile.
The Sawgrass driver is pc only. I have Parallels and a PC version of Photoshop CC  which is a real pain to load overtime.
Love to shuck all this so 1980's stuff    and get back to my Mac only.

[mcpix]

I was worried about how the i1 would work reading directly off the glossy Chromaluxe, but it worked fine. My final icc profile was just a little yellow. I'm assuming it probably has something to do with reading off coated aluminum versus the normal white of printing paper. Anyway, that's where the profile editor comes into play as it is very simple to take just a little yellow out of the final profile without shifting the other colors. I also used the profile editor to slightly increase the saturation and contrast as I think that makes the Chromaluxe pop a little more (and that's what metal customers are looking for).

I've been very happy with the profile I created. Not only does my Chromaluxe look great, but I'm getting much better colors on my mugs and other dye sub stuff.

[Doug Gray]

The spectros used for creating profiles all use 45/90 degree illumination. Samples are illuminated by light at 45 degrees and the spectrum is read at 90 degrees or perpendicular to the patches. Otherwise there would be a gamut reduction from surface glare. Especially from glossy and semigloss surfaces. So the color from a coated metal surface should be correct if illuminated from the side. Metallic surfaces, like gloss or semigloss, will look somewhat desaturated with even illumination or worse, with illumination coming directly from an angle opposite the viewer. Think light reflected in a mirror. Metallic surfaces could also have a color shift.

[dgberg]

I am anxious to try this out.
I have had two problems using the Sawgrass IQ 4880 driver.
Blacks are never good or predictable. Almost look like a dark gray with a lot of noise. Some areas are a perfect black and some the noisy gray, really ugly.
Sent some samples to Conde and we could never flush the problem out.
Also yellows are off, greens a little too.