[ale] Photoshop/Crossover/GIMP/Epson1280 Question

[John Mills]

ALErs -

I use GIMP in Linux for web and CD output from digital photos, but I have 
not had as good results targeting my Epson1280 (6 color) printer: some 
colors are badly mis-rendered, and the color gradation is visibly coarse 
(called "banding" I believe - a bit like "posterization" in B/W printing).

I get noticably better color rendering and smoother, more substantial 
looking prints with Photoshop Elements (PSE) and Epson's printer driver in 
(naturally) Ms Windows. Sorry - if I weren't convinced I would surely use 
Linux and GIMP in preference. I do take advantage of PSE's color 
management using its built-in 'sRGB' profiles.

Thanks to Codeweavers' "Lame Duck" offer, I now have Crossover Office to 
work with. (Thanks, Codeweavers!) I have read glowing reviews of Photoshop 
under Crossover and plan to try it for PSE. My question concerns printers 
and drivers.

What experience have ALErs had in getting the best photos from printers in 
this general class? Is it worthwhile trying to run Epson's printer driver 
under Crossover? (I understand this is possible but I have no idea how 
tricky or useful it is.) Should I set up a "raw" printer, or work through 
Ghostscript? Any other tips or tricks to get the best photo printing 
results from Linux?

General comments welcome, too. (Try and stop 'em, right??)

Regards.

  - Mills