I shoot with a Phase One H25 and Canon 1Ds MK2 and would like to simply make a print that tells me what the file is likely to print like (on a CMYK printing press). I need the immediacy of having a printer in the studio but don't really want to become an expert in Pre-Press if I don't have too.
I currently have an Epson 1280 and 2200 but may upgrade to a 4800 if necessary.
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While it's perfectly possible to output a very good cross-rendered output for CMYK on an Epson inkjet from Photoshop, it's not an easy thing to do. And this is just for proofing the CMYK raster (pixel) image, not the final image + design which becomes more difficult (but CAN be done).
If you are considering the 4800, I would seriously look at the 4800 Pro which comes with an ethernet card plus a special Epson version of ColorBurst tuned to doing SWOP proofs. The regular ColorBurst for the 4800 is over $1K-yes it does more than the bundled version but if your primary concern is doing SWOP proofs (as apposed to sheetfed-which is a different animal) the Epson bundled version is perfect.
Yes, ColorBurst DOES reccomend linearizing and is required for matching YOUR 4800 ColorBurst proofs to another 4800 proofer somewhere else. The liearizing requires a UV spectro such as a UV Eye-One or Xrite Pulse.
I've used the ColorBurst/Epson rip for about 3 months and it's a VERY good solution when printing out to the Epson Semi-matte proofing paper. Whether a commercial printer will accept it as a "contract proof" varies depending on the printer's understanding of color management and their ability to look forward rather than backwards...fact is a lot of commercial printers are putting in 4800's with ColorBurst to replace expensive proofers that are due to be replaced-and those ARE being used as contract proofers.
ColorBurst won't do much to help print fine art type work, custom profiles are still better for that...