Using Profiles - Epson R2880 Print Guidance Manual

2.3 Sharpen
Sharpening should only be carried out after the image is resized for its final purpose. This is because
smaller images require less sharpening than larger ones. A 600 x 400 pixel image for web display
needs less sharpening than the same image sized for an A3+ print. If you need both images you need
to create two separate image files. I sharpen using "Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask" but that is a
subject for another time!

3 Using Profiles

3.1 Why Profiles are Important
As far as editing and preparation goes your image is now complete and ready to go. However, the
printing process involves three other variables which will affect the look of the final image:-
•
Printer model
•
Inks being used
•
Paper being used
Changing any one of these will change how the final print looks. If Photoshop knows all of these
variables it can modify its output to translate the image on screen to the paper you are using with
the inks employed by the printer you are connected to. If Photoshop doesn't have this information,
it can only guess - and that's how the finished print will look!
Printing papers from companies such as Ilford
or Permajet will come with some basic
guidelines for their use in different printers
telling you which paper type to select in the
printer dialogue and any modifications to
make to ink density settings etc. This is a
crude way of getting a reasonable result.
For improved, more consistent results it is
best to use a profile. A profile is simply a file
which gives Photoshop all the information it
needs about the printer, inks and paper being
used.
3.2 Obtaining and Installing Profiles
Printer manufacturers such as Epson will "pre-load" their printer driver software with the necessary
profiles to print with Epson inks on Epson papers which makes life easy if you are using this
combination.
Paul Cunningham QPCC Instruction Night - 21/02/2012 [Revised 26/12/14]
Paper manufacturers such as Ilford and
Permajet provide free generic profiles to allow
their papers to be used with popular printers
and inks. This is important for Ilford and
Permajet as otherwise their papers would not
be capable of giving the best results. These
generic profiles are available to download from
the paper manufacturers websites, you simply
supply details of the paper, printer and ink
combination you want to use and download
the profile provided.
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