Curves for the Epson 4000/UT7 Inkset

The following .acv (adjustment curve) files were developed for the Epson 4000 with the MIS UT7 inkset for black and white prints.
To download a particular curve file, RIGHT click on the name of the curve. Select "Save Target As..." and save the file to your computer.
If your browser shows the file as a *.htm file, change the extension to *.acv. Curves will be added as time permits.

The appropriate workflow is as follows:
- Make all necessary adjustments to your image in grayscale mode.
- Convert to RGB using the Adobe RGB (1998) color space.
- Apply the adjustment curve in Photoshop with the Epson driver settings listed below.
- For printing from Photoshop CS, choose Print With Preview and select Same As Source under the Profile menu in the Print Space field. For printing from Photoshop CS2, choose Print With Preview and select No Color Management under the Color Handling menu in the Options field.

If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at .

Curves for Epson Premium Semimatte :

Epson driver settings: Premium Semimatte Photo Paper (250), Printer Color Management Off (No Color Adjustment), 2880 dpi

UT7-4000-PremSemimatte-Neutral-1.acv

UT7-4000-PremSemimatte-Cool-1.acv

UT7-4000-PremSemimatte-Carbon-1.acv

UT7-4000-PremSemimatte-Sepia-1.acv

The normal UT7 inkset works exceptionally well 99% of the time. However, if you have an image that requires the rendering of a very smooth continuous grayscale from back to white (for example, in a landscape where the top of the sky is rendered almost black but then fades to a light gray as it approaches the land) you will probably find the standard UT7 setup to be problematic. The reason has to do with how these curves are made and how they have to compensate for the sepia toner position when a sepia print isn't actually being made. If you are not planning to print sepia prints and the smoothness of the grayscale is of paramount importance to you (as it is to me), then you can use a modified UT7 inkset and a modified curve.

This modified set is made by replacing the sepia toner in the yellow ink cartridge with the same ink that goes into the light cyan cartridge. I also recommend using the newer neutral photo black (PKN) instead of the standard photo black (PK).

Once you have made these replacements, the new Epson driver settings are as follows: Premium Semimatte Photo Paper (250), 2880 dpi, Finest Detail, Printer Color Management set to Color Controls with a Gamma of 1.8, Mode set to Automatic and all sliders set to 0.

Then apply the following curve. Note that this curve is Windows specific and is set to be just slightly cool (I find that a dead on neutral print - or a warm print for that matter - creates problems in the highlights when using Premium Semimatte paper, as the paper itself is quite cool. Therefore, the lightest highlights will always have a slightly cool cast, so rather than create a split tone effect, I make the entire print shift slightly towards the cooler end of the spectrum.) If you are looking for a warmer or cooler cast, you can adjust the curve as needed.

UT7-DHModified-4000-PremSemimatte-NeutralCool-1.acv

Curves for Epson Premium Semigloss :

Epson driver settings: Premium Semigloss Photo Paper, Printer Color Management Off (No Color Adjustment), 2880 dpi

UT7-4000-PremSemigloss-Neutral-1.acv

UT7-4000-PremSemigloss-Cool-1.acv

UT7-4000-PremSemigloss-Carbon-1.acv

The following sepia curve takes the same settings as above EXCEPT that the media should be set to Premium Semimatte Photo Paper (250).

UT7-4000-PremSemigloss-Sepia-MediaPremSemimatte-1.acv

Curves for Ilford Smooth Pearl :

Epson driver settings: Premium Semigloss Photo Paper, Printer Color Management Off (No Color Adjustment), 2880 dpi

UT7-4000-IlfordSmoothPearl-Neutral-1.acv

Curves for Ilford Smooth Gloss :

Epson driver settings: Premium Glossy Photo Paper, Printer Color Management Off (No Color Adjustment), 2880 dpi

UT7-4000-IlfordSmoothGloss-Neutral-1.acv

Curves for Kirkland Glossy Photo Paper :

Epson driver settings: Premium Glossy Photo Paper, Printer Color Management Off (No Color Adjustment), 2880 dpi

UT7-4000-Kirkland-Neutral-1.acv

Curves for Epson Enhanced Matte Paper :

Epson driver settings: Enhanced Matte Paper, Printer Color Management Off (No Color Adjustment), 1440 dpi

UT7-4000-EEM-Neutral-1.acv

Curves for Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 308gsm Paper :

Epson driver settings: Enhanced Matte Paper, Printer Color Management Off (No Color Adjustment), 1440 dpi

UT7-4000-PhotoRag-Neutral-1.acv

Curves for Premier Art Hot Press Fine Art Paper :

Epson driver settings: Enhanced Matte Paper, Printer Color Management Off (No Color Adjustment), 1440 dpi

UT7-4000-HotPress-Neutral-1.acv

Curves for Epson Professional Glossy Paper/Epson Glossy Paper Photo Weight :

Epson Professional Glossy Paper (13x19) and the equivalent Epson Glossy Paper Photo Weight (rolls) were discontinued by Epson.
However, these papers were (and are) excellent with the UT7 inks on an Epson 4000. This curve is provided should you have leftover stock.
Epson driver settings: Premium Semimatte Photo Paper (250), Printer Color Management Off (No Color Adjustment), 2880 dpi

UT7-4000-ProGlossyPaper-Neutral-1.acv

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