Gray Balancer (GB) software tutorial.
page 2.

Step 3.

On the next stage you would use your Epson Reference Charts to find the neutral grays. But for this tutorial we will use the Kodak Gray Scale. Hold your scale next to the 90% Matrix and look for the black patch that closely matches the black with a value of 11 on the Kodak scale. Enter the 3 digit value that is printed on the patch.

Repeat this process using the 70% Matrix and look for the patch that closely matches  the gray with a value of 7 on the Kodak scale. Enter the 3 digit value that is printed on the patch.

The next two values 45% & 20% don’t have an equivalent Kodak patch,  use the Kodak 3 or 4 for the 45% and look for the cast rather than the density. Enter the 3 digit value that is printed on the patch. For the 20% use the Kodak 1 or 2 and again look for the cast not the density. Enter the 3 digit value that is printed on the patch.

Step 4.

Once you have entered the four values, give your File a name, I have called this file “My first test file”. You can give it whatever name you like and add any comments. Click the Save button. You can print out just the top gray scale by clicking on the print button or check the radio button to print out the whole test picture. Click screenshot to view full resolution version.

Measure the values on the Matrix and enter the values in the corresponding boxes

Step 5.

Of course, the step 3 was perhaps not as accurate as you may have wanted, after all you had to make an estimate for the 45 & 20% figures. Well you can adjust these too. Click the Main button to take you back to the first screen. In the Create Adjustment section select the file you have just saved “My first test file” and then click the Start button. On the next screen click the Additional 4 point Gray Adjustment > Next button. This screen gives you the chance to fine tune the 45 & 20% settings. Click on the 40% and 15% radio buttons and then click print. An additional 2 test Matrices will be printed for the values of 40 & 15%. Let these dry for a minimum of 30 minutes. Click the Next button. Click screenshot to view full resolution version.

Click the 40 & 15% radio buttons to add two extra points

Step 6.

Hold your Kodak scale next to the 40% Matrix and look for the grey patch that closely matches the grey with a value of 3 on the Kodak scale. Enter the 3 digit value that is printed on the patch. Repeat this process using the 15% Matrix and look for the patch that closely matches the grey with a value of 1 on the Kodak scale. Enter the 3 digit value that is printed on the patch. Save your file again. Click screenshot to view full resolution version.

Enter the values for your 40 & 15% greys and Save the adjustments

You have now set up the Neutral Gray on your printer.

Step 7.

You can readjust or fine tune any of the values to your saved file by clicking on the Create Adjustment > Realignment and adjusting the values.

Step 8.

To apply your settings, go back to the Main screen and click the top Set Adjustment Settings button. Select your adjustment file in the first drop down list and Neutral in the second list. Give your combined settings a name and add any information you require. Click the Save button. Click the Main button and you are ready to start printing with the Gray Balancer adjustments. You can quit the Gray Balancer application at this stage. All prints that you create from here using your Epson printer will have an adjustment applied. Click screenshot to view full resolution version.

Select your saved Adjustment and a Gray tone, then save your combination

Step 9.

To cancel printing with the GB, re-launch the software and set the Set Adjustment and Create Adjustment to ***No Adjustment*** and then quit the GB software. To re-activate, re-launch the software and select your combination file in the Set Adjustment section and then Quit.

Appendix:

More experienced users may prefer to use the curves feature in GB. You can visually see the cast in the grays. This does require you to have an accurately calibrated monitor. Click on the Create Adjustment > Start button and on the next screen click on the Curve editor. You can work in either RGB or CMY.

Make adjustments using the curves feature and see the grey scale alter

On the curves screen double click the coloured line to add a point and then drag it up or down to make an adjustment. Double click a point to remove it. Observe the Gray scale at the top of the panel to see how the gray tone is affected. When satisfied with the tones save your adjustment and follow Step 8 to apply the adjustment. Click screenshot to view full resolution version.

Please post any questions in the Interactive Forum > Gray Balancer.

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