User report: Creating quads for Arches88 using a P900 with a custom 10-channel Eboni ink set and the free software MakeQuad

[Thilo]

I used the free software MakeQuad (MQ, Windows 11, author Hendrik Kuhlmann, https://www.kuhlmann.at/makequad/description) to quickly create linearized carbon and neutral quads for Arches88 and other matte inkjet papers. MQ calculates the required ink distribution directly from the measurement data of the calibration print. MQ has significantly simplified and sped up the profiling process for me, a very positive experience. Thanks to the comprehensive and easy-to-understand documentation included in MQ, I found it much easier to get to grips with than learning how to create curves in QTR itself. I documented my steps for Arches88 and the ink set itself in the attached Excel file (zipped); perhaps this can support those just starting out. This is merely a record of my steps, not a substitute for the documentation. My setup: 9 dilutions of Eboni MK (WJ1082) + blue toner in a P900 (I call that “EbVT10”, modified from Paul Roark’s Carbon Variable Tone recipe for the 3800/3880 from 2016 for matte papers only). Of course, MQ would work with other b/w-inksets, too. Happy printing!

 

[pharmacist]

Hi Thilo, thanks for the update. Do you know the software works for a simple CMYK office printer as well, like the Epson WF-7840 ? I have done a test many years ago with several hues of black and grey for the CMYK positions and the initial results were not bad, but without QTR.

 

[Thilo]

Hi Thilo, thanks for the update. Do you know the software works for a simple CMYK office printer as well, like the Epson WF-7840 ? I have done a test many years ago with several hues of black and grey for the CMYK positions and the initial results were not bad, but without QTR.

No, MakeQuad (MQ) will not help you here. MQ is a tool that is specialized to create quads that will be used with QTR. I don't know if the Epson WF-7840 is supported by QTR. If so, it might work out somehow, but if you want a dedicated b/w-inkset I would got for P600 or P900, both are supported by QTR and MQ. Best, Thilo

 

[df11]

Hallo pharmacist,

MakeQuad is a tool for creating curves; it is quite versatile and not tied to any specific printer brand, as a curve can be assigned to any printer channel, and as for which ink is used, that all depends on the artist’s imagination. The names of the curves or channels are purely arbitrary designations. However, in addition to this, you also need a printer driver that interprets these curves into printer commands.
I wasn’t happy with the fact that QTR doesn’t support many of the printer models I own, which are just as well-suited to black-and-white printing as professional models. What’s more, I’ve always been incredibly curious about how it works under the bonnet. So I decided to get to the bottom of it and write my own RIP.
ET models are already supported, but I don’t have the 8550 or 18100 to test them thoroughly. I also plan to include the WF-7840 and other models, as I have the 7210, 7720 and 3620.
If you’re interested, you might be among the first to create curves for the 8550 and so on, as many people already own this printer.
You’ve probably already seen the PyToneRIP thread on this forum. I’d be delighted if you took part in developing this programme.
Kind regards,
Alexander.