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Although the Epson-supplied profiles are excellent for their papers, printing the same images using IP and their profiles yields improved details in the shadow areas of the print. The big advantage of using IP is that I use a lot of fine art papers from Hahnemuhle and Moab and IP provides custom profiles for just about any paper you can image for free. IP also offers profiles for B&W printing which are awesome."
ImagePrint is relatively cheap for a RIP, but it is a "solution in a box", i.e. you can't do much tweaking. The profiles are still canned, although usually better than ones from paper manufacturers .
Despite Epson claims offactory linearisation , we have found considerable difference between printers by careful inspection and analysis of profiles.
I think you would be best to commission the building of custom profiles for a careful selection of papers that you wish to use. Be very carefull about who you choose to build the profiles.
A lot of custom profiles have a lot to be desired, especially in the shadow areas.
Perhaps you could find out who builds profiles for the most critical users in your area- maybe a National Gallery ?
Don't worry about a RIP at this stage. Spend the $ on a decent monitor eg Eizo or Quato
Your MacbookPro does not have a screen capable of accurate image editing.
Good Luck
Brian
www.pharoseditions.com.au