Hi Bob
I just finished a short test with the Kodak Ultra. I think I just may have found a new favorite gloss paper while printing this stock.
I'm using OCP brand dye ink in a epson 4800 printer.
I created a custom profile using Profilemaker 5 and a i1iO.
This paper has some OB's in it but it is more of a warm white, and the spectral data shows a very flat spectrum. In other words it has no blue spikes that you would see in a bright blue white sheet. The finish is high gloss but not a mirror finish and holds that gloss very well when printed.
One of the most unexpected characteristic features of the paper is the very low gloss differential (as in none). I've seen high end proofing paper that does not have as low of a gloss differential that this stock has, it just blew me a way. I've been mixing my light colors with a gloss base trying to get zero gloss differential in various gloss papers and have gotten pretty close with RR and inkpress. But using my best mix with this sheet and there is absolutely zero gloss differential.
The dMax of this sheet is high at about 1.987. Anything over 1.8 is gravy for me.
Gray balance is one of the most neutral I've profiled due to the fact the sheet is pretty neutral. Visually the gray balance is a bit on the warm side due to the paper color.
Profiling the paper was normal. Comparing two reads of the target, one within 15 minutes of printing and another at 24 hours after printing, Showed a maximum of 3 deltaE and an average of .4 delta. The variance was in less than a dozen colors which were mostly dark shadow type colors. Examining two printed files (Bob Atkins Lab test image) and I really couldn't see any difference between the 15 minute and the 24 hour profiles.
Printing a RGB black and white image was very nice. No gloss differential made the contrast and shades of gray very smooth with no distractions.
So in the end I can find no fault with this sheet and really can't see why the spider is having problems profiling it. But two things come to mind that might be giving you the results you have. The Kodak paper does have OB's in it, but at very low levels so maybe the software is over compensating for that. And then of course the next would be my initial impression is the ink is not gray balanced.
Thanks for the lead on the paper. I love it.
Bob
Bob,
Thanks for performing the test. It does prove a fact that the Ultra paper is fine indeed, not matter what printer and inks are used.
You are using pigmented inks, how would that compare to dye based which I'm using? Would the expected gray scale linearity results be the same?
To go backwards a little here, I had no problems with print quailty, including gray scale, using the Ultra along with the Canon OEM inks and using the standard Canon driver. When I attempted to use the Spyder3Print system on the same Ultra and OEM inks I did not have good results. I spent over 2 weeks one on one with Datacolor's people and forum members trying to reproduce the Canon driver IQ results. The Spyder was giving me less gamut in the prints and it was very noticeable with fine details missing. It was hard to believe that the Spyder profiles were so lacking. It was suggested that I use the 225 patches for the profiles and all discussion was centered around that profile. On my own I decided to do the 729 patches and BINGO, the profile was as good as the Canon standard driver and had the the same gamut and details. I was a little shocked that the Datacolor people never suggested to try the 729 patches as it would have saved a lot of time and discussions. I also suggested that I send them my printed targets and printed photos to see if my Spyder colorimeter was not fuctioning properly but they never accepted that suggestion.
I do have some faith in the Spyder3, from what I achieved with the OEM inks and Ultra paper. Xilvar, above is going to generate profiles for me using a few thousand patches on his high priced system. That will prove if my problem is the Spyder or not.
I'm like you though pointing towards the fact that my gray scale problem is the HC inks. If it is the inks then I will try some MIS inks, I know that their Epson refill ink is IS brand, but not so sure if the Canon refill is IS? I'm going to send them an email to find out.
Seeing that you like the Ultra paper, if you go online various vendors are selling 50 sheets of 8.5x11 for approx. $27, even Sam's Club lists it online for 25 sheets at $20. I buy 65 sheets 8.5x11, or 200 sheets 4x6 in the Sam's store for $20. I don't know why there is such a difference between the Sam's online versus Sam's in store prices, unless they meant to state 65 sheets for the online product.
Well now it's a wait until Xilvar receives my targets (they are in the mail PA to CA)and gets the profiles back to me before we can go any further with this post.....
Bob P.
