Epson 2200 Black and White print issues

[GBCollins]

Both the monitor and printer (enhanced matte paper) are profiled with Eye One.  The factory paper profile  and the Eye One profile on the Enhanced Matte paper do just fine with color prints.  But black and white!!  No matter the method used to convert from color to b&w, I'm getting just a hint of green or cyan.  The factory paper profile has a little less tint than the Eye One profile.  It doesn't show up on the monitor, just on paper.  It's a tint (tone) similar to what I see on screen when I set custom proof setup and check "preserve RGB numbers".  Clear as mud?  No clogs.  I set "no color management" in the printer driver. Any one have any ideas here?

Thanks for reading.  Greg

[Lisa Nikodym]

What sort of light are you viewing your prints in?  Sunlight?  I ask because the 2200's inkset has slight metamerism - that is, the colors look slightly different under different light sources.  I used to use a 2200, and found that B&W prints looked slightly green under sunlight and slightly magenta under incandescent light.  You can't get it exactly right both ways, and I would just try for a happy medium somewhere between.  Some years back when I got my 2200, I downloaded the "Grey Balancer" software that was available with the printer in Europe; it lets you tweak the color balance for B&W to however you want it.  You might try googling "Grey Balancer" to see if it's still available somewhere.  You can't get rid of the metamerism, however, just choose what it looks like under your preferred light source.

(Though if your prints are greenish under incandescent light too, that's not the issue, and ignore the preceding.)

Lisa

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

When I first got my 2200 I struggled with metamerism, especially in B&W prints for a long time. I tried the Gray Balancer that Lisa mentions, but that didn't completely fix it. I next shelled out an arm and three legs for the ImagePrint RIP, which does a great job with color and a pretty good job with B&W. Then someone on the LL forum suggested something called Quad Tone RIP, or QTR.

QTR works great., and it is cheap. It comes with ready-to-use profiles, or "curves", lets you make your own, and lets you blend two profiles in whatever proportions you want. For Enhanced Matte I usually blend the EEM warm and EEM cool-selenium curves that come with it.

It is shareware, so you can try before you buy. If you like it, it costs $50. If you do a search for QTR on this forum, you'll find lots of recommendations for it. You can get more info about it from http://www.quadtonerip.com .

That's my very strong recommendation.

[NikosR]

QTR solves most of the metamerism problem with UC inks. Otherwise you'll need to go for a UC K3 solution (like the 2400 or the 3800). Epson ABW with those printers exhibits even less metamerism than QTR with UC inks on the 2200 in my experience.

[picnic]

QTR solves most of the metamerism problem with UC inks. Otherwise you'll need to go for a UC K3 solution (like the 2400 or the 3800). Epson ABW with those printers exhibits even less metamerism than QTR with UC inks on the 2200 in my experience.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=109830\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Yes, I agree.  I printed with a 2200 since it came out and used QTR.  I bought the 3800 for mono printing (K3 inks) and for increased media size primarily.   I find printing monos  without ABW to be great (thought you can get a very neutral b/w but have much less control)---something I could not do with QTR.  I can tone exactly as I wish, use split toning, etc.---and its WYSIWYG.  

Diane

[Chris_T]

Both the monitor and printer (enhanced matte paper) are profiled with Eye One.  The factory paper profile  and the Eye One profile on the Enhanced Matte paper do just fine with color prints.  But black and white!!  No matter the method used to convert from color to b&w, I'm getting just a hint of green or cyan.  The factory paper profile has a little less tint than the Eye One profile.  It doesn't show up on the monitor, just on paper.  It's a tint (tone) similar to what I see on screen when I set custom proof setup and check "preserve RGB numbers".  Clear as mud?  No clogs.  I set "no color management" in the printer driver. Any one have any ideas here?

Thanks for reading.  Greg
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I'm just starting to look into printing b/w, and have been fascinated by BO printing:

[a href=\"http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-02-06-16.shtml]http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-02-06-16.shtml[/url]

http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm

[GBCollins]

QTR was the answer.  What a neat program.  I feel like running out and telling all my friends!  Thanks to you all for the direction.

Greg