Hi, I think I figured out some print rending issues I was having before I started building my own printer profiles, and want to verify it with you and hopefully get a perspective.

For Entrada Cold Press, it looks like the Epson P900 profile Moab supplies is based on an M3 viewing condition….is that correct?

And if I got that right, and it’s not too much to ask, why use M3, and not say M0/1/2? Just trying to understand the reasoning.

Thanks in advance!!

You are correct- the Entrada Coldpress profile for the P900 does use polarized/M3 data. We generally use polarized measurement on textured cotton papers, for a few reasons: it creates better separation in the shadow/quarter tones, a gray closer to neutral, and better color accuracy.
The trade-off, as you mentioned, is that a soft proof may display more shadow detail than is available in the physical print, as the polarized device produces a max black around L* 3 or 4, and we see a max black around L* 12.
We decided the potential benefits of M3 profiles on these specific papers was worth the trade-off.