Shadows and mid tones of prints are brighter than the image ones using Piezography Pro on P600

General
1

Hi everybody,
I am new here as I’ve just successfully converted a P600 to Piezography Pro.
My first prints on HFA Photo Rag using the QTR curves Neutral from Community-Editions shows shadows and mid-tones brighter than expected.
For instance, measurements show 66%, 48%, 32% respectively instead of 80%, 60% and 40% (référence black is 100%).
As result soft proofing doesn’t fit either with final print.
Is it on purpose of this QTR curve ?
What could I check ?
Thanks for you help.
Best regards,
PhS

2

Hi Soly, thanks for reaching out! I understand you’re looking for some help with your printing. Let’s try to figure this out together.

Typically, density readings don’t directly translate to percentage values, even when referencing dMax. It’s not usually a one-to-one match with screen densities expressed as a percentage of black.

Now, regarding your display and soft proofing:

  • If you’re using a hardware-calibrated display set to Gamma 2.20, then accurate soft proofing should be possible with our provided Soft Proof ICC profiles. Just make sure you’re following our instructions, specifically the part about “Preserve RGB Numbers.”
  • However, if you’re working with a regular display (not a hardware calibrator), please keep in mind that soft proofing accuracy can be limited on software calibrated displays.

It’s true that many modern displays, like the newer Apple models with very high contrast ratios (e.g., 500,000:1 or 1,000,000:1), can look quite different from prints, which typically have a much lower contrast ratio (around 250:1). While hardware calibrator displays offer better accuracy, they can sometimes appear less vibrant due to their lower brightness. Remember, brighter displays can actually make shadows appear darker. Still, hardware calibrator displays like the BenQ SW240 are relatively inexpensive.

Given what you’ve described about the linear curves showing more tonal separation than your display, Piezography offers an alternative printing method called “Contrast Matching” that might be more suitable for your needs. This approach aims to create prints that visually match your display’s contrast better. This process is better suited to those using bright displays.

There are two ways to use Contrast Matching:

  1. Curve Adjustment: This involves fine-tuning the Piezography curves using the PPETv2 software.
  2. ICC Profile Printing (OS X only): We provide two special printing ICC profiles specifically designed for Contrast Matching: “Piezography Matte Print.icc” and “Piezography Gloss Print.icc.” These profiles are designed to darken the shadow areas of your prints, which should result in a closer visual match to your display.

Could you tell me more about the type of display you’re using and if you’re on a Mac? Knowing this will help me guide you to the best solution.

Rachel - IJM TechSupport

3

Hi Rachel,
Thanks for your quick answer.
I use an Eizo CS2400 display with hardware calibration as follows : 80 cd/m2, 5300 K, Gamma 2.2, Black level 0.3 cd/m2 (i.e. paper contrast 287:1).
I usually have perfect match between soft proofs and prints when using Ultrachrome HD on my other “standard” Epson printer.
I work in a calibrated environment (5000-5500K, 70 lux for the work place, 500 lux for print evaluation).
In addition, I work with a Windows PC and perform soft proofing using Lightroom Classic and not Photoshop. In consequence, I cannot access “Preserve RGB numbers”.

I have added below a screen shot of the correction profile I made in order to get a soft proof matching the print.

Hope I provided the information you expected.
Best regards,
Philippe

4

Hi Philippe,

I didn’t see a screenshot attached, but no worries, we can still troubleshoot this.

It’s important to clarify that you shouldn’t need to apply any additional corrections when soft proofing with our recommended workflow.

However, Lightroom and Photoshop handle color management and ICC profiles differently. Our suggested method for using Piezography soft proofing ICC profiles isn’t directly compatible with Lightroom’s soft proofing feature.

To help me understand your setup, could you please tell me:

  • Which specific soft proof ICC profile are you currently using within Lightroom?
  • Did you create this profile yourself? If so, what tool did you use to generate it?
  • If you’re using a Piezography-provided profile, could you specify which one it is?

Knowing this information will help me guide you towards the correct soft proofing workflow for Piezography.

Rachel - IJM Tech Support

5

Sorry for the missing screenshot, I do not know how to manage attachment in this tool.

I use the “QTR_PhotoRag308_PROOF_NEUTRAL” ICC profile.
I got it with the QTR tool and I used HFA Photo Rag paper.
I didn’t make the profile myself.

I also use “Perception” rending mode and don’t use paper and ink simulation.

Best regards,
Philippe

6

Hi Philippe,

Thanks for the name of the ICC profile you’re using. Just to clarify, the “QTR_PhotoRag308_PROOF_NEUTRAL” ICC profile isn’t one that’s associated with Piezography.

For soft proofing with Piezography, I recommend using “Piezography Matte Neutral Softproof.icc” profile instead. This ICC is specifically designed for soft proofing Piezography prints on matte papers and is included with the Community Edition of Piezography.

You should be able to find this profile either within your system’s ICC profile directory or in the “Soft Proofing” folder within your main Piezography installation directory.

Or you can download it here:

https://inkjetmall.com/PiezographyICCs.zip

Please try using the “Piezography Matte Neutral Softproof.icc” profile in your soft proofing settings and let me know if it provides a more accurate preview for you.

If you have any trouble locating or installing this profile, just let me know, and I’ll be happy to guide you through the process.

Rachel - IJM TechSupport

7

Sorry, that’s another profile I used to check whether I was getting the same issue.
I also used “PiezographyPro Matte Neutral.icc” downloaded from Community Editions and got exactly the same problem. The soft proofed image is darker on the screen in soft proof mode than the print.

Best regards,
Philippe

8

Hi Philippe,

Please upload screen capture of your Print Tool window with all the settings you are using with that print. Then upload the QuadTone RIP window so I can also observe the settings there.

Rachel - IJM TechSupport

9

Hi Phillipe,

I have not heard back from you and checking in to see if you are resolved or not.

Rachel - IJM TechSupport

10

Hi Rachel,
Thanks for checking my problem status.
Sorry, but I was away for a while.
I have to admit I am a little confused.
I changed paper from HFA Photo Rag to Canson Baryta Photographique and I don’t have the problem anymore.
As I ran out of HFA paper, I cannot check. I will order it and will come back to you.
Best regards,
Philippe

11

Hi Philippe,

I am happy you are printing without the problems.

Rachel - IJM Tech Support