This Photoshop 3.0 printing ink setup dramatically improves color saturation and accuracy on the Epson Stylus Color printer. This only works while printing with Photoshop. It does not improve color accuracy in other applications.
This patch may be distributed by online services, user groups and bulletin boards if and only if the settings file and this read me document are distributed together and unaltered.
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How it Works
Photoshop is capable of doing its own color separation into cyan, magenta, yellow, and black components. Photoshop's separation routines are invoked by selecting to print in "CMY" in the Photoshop Print dialog. Printing in "RGB" lets the Epson driver do all the work. Because the Photoshop separation routines are customizable to special ink settings, it is possible to improve accuracy and saturation of printed images by using this settings file and letting Photoshop do the work. This file should not be considered an ultimate standard for ink correction, but it is a significant improvement.
Requirements
Photoshop 3.0 (This may work with earlier versions but has not been tested)
Epson Stylus Color printer
StylusColor driver version 1.10E (Other versions may have a different color balance)
Installation
1) Place the file "KS Labs Ink for ESC 2.51" into your Photoshop folder
2) Launch Photoshop
3) Select under the File menu the item Preferences->Printing Inks Setup...
4) Click the "Load..." button
5) Select and load the "KS Labs Ink for ESC 2.51" file
6) Click on "OK"
From now on Photoshop will use the new printing ink setup for its CMY conversion process. The setting is global to the application, not a specific document. Select another printing ink setup later if you no longer wish to use this setup.
Usage
1) Open an RGB document.
2) Scale and rotate it as desired to fit your paper.
3) Select the "Print" command
4) The bottom of the print dialog will let you select
Print in: ( ) Gray ( ) RGB (•) CMY
5) Make sure that CMY mode is selected. If RGB mode is selected, the new ink settings will have no effect. If the image is a CMYK file, it is automatically separated per the new setting.
6) Click on "Options" to set up the Epson printing options
7) Set the Epson options to
CMYK (Color)
720 dpi mode
No Screen Pattern
Darkest setting on the slider (gives most linear gradients)
Microweave On
8) Click on Okay and print.
Hints
Try HP Premium Glossy Paper for even more vivid color and richer black.
If dark regions on your printouts seem to have little specks of lightness, recalibrate your printer. The calibration may be lost if the printer loses power to its power cord.
If the image is too dark or too light, don't use the darkness slider in the Epson options to adjust the printout. Settings other than darkes are less linear in the darker tones. Instead open the Photoshop Printing Inks Setup again and adjust the Dot Gain. This settings file sets the dot gain to 18% by default. Increase the dot gain to lighten the printout. Decrease the dot gain to darken the printout. Try 3 to 5% changes at a time.
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About KS Labs…
KS Labs, Inc.
Route 10 Box 41A
Marietta, OH 45750
Orders (800) 450-0353
Inquiries (614) 374-5665
Fax (614) 373-0353
KS Labs is a manufacturer of clock acceleration kits letting you accelerate your Quadra, Performa or Power PC system performance without needing special tools for installation.
The kits require no soldering or special skills and feature 2nd generation low profile custom-molded KS Labs slip on modules for easier, safer & quicker installation.
KS Labs Kit for Speed MHz
Centris 610 25 & 28.6
Cent/Quad 660av 32 & 35.4
Quadra 650 40
Quadra 800 40
PowerMac 6100/60 80 & 84
PowerMac 6100/66 80 & 84
PowerMac 7100/66 80 & 84
PowerMac 7100/80 90
Performa 61xx 80 & 84
PowerMac 8100/80 90 & 94
KS Labs also has 256 K Level 2 Cache cards rated for operation in combination with PowerMac CPU clock acceleration kits.
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Notice: This software is supplied "as-is." without implied or express warranty. The user accepts responsibility for all direct or consequential loss or damages caused by installation or use of this software.
Epson Stylus Color, Photoshop, Power Macintosh, Quadra, Centris, Performa, PowerPC are trademarks of their respective owners. No endorsement or recommendation is implied.