Digital BW, The Print

On May 19, 2010, at 2:26 PM, piezobw wrote:

> Please do not take this harshly, but I believe that you have not properly evaluated the system Tom made for you, and yet you're asking for some technical support from others who have no idea what you are experimenting with. Missing nozzles in an established product are easier to tech support, than a whole litany of issues that can be at hand when you begin experimenting with custom inks.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "properly evaluated the system..." I have followed instructions to the letter. Neither am I experimenting with anything. I thought I was using a well-tested printer (the model, not the particular machine) with proven cartridges and an established ink set.

> If you want some advise on how to properly evaluate a new ink formulation or a custom ink formulation please ask me. It might be helpful to others as well. But, you're sitting with an expensive printer right now that has missing gaps, no more ink to print, and you may be too pissed to take my advice in. If you can take it in, I think it will help you.

I would be delighted to have your advice. I don't understand however why you think I am "pissed". Frustrated, yes. To be "pissed" I would have to blame someone and I don't see any reason or advantage to laying blame. I just want to get up and running. I am $1500+ into this, need more ink and have yet to make a single print.

> In the meantime - you were given excellent advise to test the printer first with OEM inks. Also flushing! Not all inks can intermix with the OEM in the print head. I don't know what Tom is doing. I only know his excellent printmaking.

I think this is a misunderstanding. I started out with a new, unused (though second hand) printer and OEM inks. I made prints until one of the OEM cartridges ran out. Only then did I switch to the B&W inks. The printer definitely works fine, unless of course I have somehow damaged it since making the switch to the B&W ink system.

> You may have simply been dealing with tiny air bubbles and needed to turn the printer off for a day or two to let it dissipate.

Been there. Done that. Turned it off for a day. Turned it off for two days, twice. No difference. If anything, it might have been worse.

> The carts may not have pressurized fully. We can't possibly know without your having more ink to continue the experiment.

Cartridges are not empty. Ink levels are still above the lines on all cartridges. How do i get them to "pressurize fully"? Also, is there any kind of ritual for removing and reinstalling the cartridges? I have had to change the waste tray four times now and as per your instructions, it is necessary to remove the ink cartridges to do so. Is there a specific method that helps to repressurize the ink cartridges correctly?


David Kachel



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