Digital BW, The Print

Actually the 7890/7900 Epsons (the exact same machines except the 7890
simply doesn't use the other two channels - the ink cart slots are
physically blocked out - for $1000 less than the 7900). I've had my 7890
here for some time and the new generation heads have caused me some
inconsistent firing on a couple of channels (not clogging, but
unquestionably rather "head dribble"). I've made some tweaks to the inks for
the 7890 in terms of viscosity which were very successful, but I have a bit
more work to do along with checking pH before I feel comfortable releasing
them. I was getting perfect prints and nozzle checks on the 7890 for weeks
until I started doing a large print job. I pretty much know what is going on
so I'll tweaking viscosity and more importantly pH. I suspect the nozzle
sizes on the new generation heads plus the head coating is the issue. But
I've gotten so close to perfection, that it shouldn't take long. No problem
whatsoever with running the 7890 and 7900 with QTR - thanks to Roy (He and I
got our 7890s within days of each other, so Roy had time to create curves
profiles for them, though at first Roy said it didn't look promising). Epson
can't keep us down!
 
Basically I feel that since the fade tests are going so well and that the
issue with the new generation heads on the 7890/7900 are about tweaked I'm
seriously reconsidering supplying the inks to experienced users. 
 
Tom Mallonee
Owens Valley Imaging
www.ovimaging.com
760.873.8501
 
Description: OVI_Logo_For_Email.jpg
 
From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
richardeskin
Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2012 8:49 AM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Digital BW] Re: HTv ink set in test at Aardenburg Imaging &
Archives
 
  
I checked out the website and this sounds very encouraging. However, I
noticed that the newest (X900) series of printers is not supported. I have
heard that Epson has made it either impossible or illegal to use third party
inks with that series of printers. Is that true? and If it is true, aren't
third party inks for large format professional Epson printers pretty much
limited over the one to two generations as the currently compatible printers
phase out?

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint%40yahoogroups.com> , "Paul"
<roark.paul@...> wrote:
>
> It looks like the OVI ink is doing very well so far in the fade tests.
(Congratulations Tom, if you're monitoring this forum.) I just did a quick
comparison to a recent Epson ABW at the same 20 Mlux-hr stage, and the OVI
ink appears to be doing significantly better. (Then again, I didn't find the
exact same paper.)
> 
> At this point there really ought to be no secret as to what makes a
lightfast inkset. First is to use the most carbon that is consistent with
the color/hue you're targeting. While there are probably differences among
different types of carbon pigments, all of them that we usually use seem to
be very good. Second, is that if you're going to tone with a color pigment,
use the best. In that respect, both HP and Epson make or use good color
pigments. Weak color inks used for toning the carbon has been the limiting
factor in most third party B&W inksets. OVI is obviously using a very good
color pigment in its toners.
> 
> I suspect the main lightfastness advantage the OVI inkset has over the
Epson ABW is that ABW uses too much color. QTR can take care of that.
> 
> However, I think the OVI inkset is better in other respects. Perhaps most
importantly, it uses more carbon positions. ABW has only the 3 neutral inks,
which can be marginal, depending on how good the particular printer is. The
ABW mode probably uses the excess color in part to help smooth the print,
similar to what I have done for the Claria BO printing. If one uses QTR to
eliminate the excess color, however, the limits of the 3 inks may become
apparent. 
> 
> I believe the OVI toners also make profiling a bit easier by being blended
to be more closely aligned with Lab A and B. 
> 
> At any rate, it's good to see a solid performance from a third party
variable-tone B&W inkset. I was never able to convince MIS to spend the
money to get the top notch color pigments to make a premium MIS B&W
variable-tone inkset. Of course, Eboni-6 holds the high ground still, but
for those who want more control over print tone, this may be a good
solution. (I turned to OEM color pigs for toning my personal work years ago.
See http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/4K+.pdf)
> 
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com 
> 
> 
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint%40yahoogroups.com> , "Mark" <mark@>
wrote:
> >
> > Just a quick note to let Digital BW forum members know that Owens Valley
Imaging, Inc (OVI) recently contracted with AaI&A to test its HTv ink set on
a couple of samples of Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Duo 276 gsm paper. The samples
have reached the 20 Megalux hour mark in test, and the reports have now been
added to the AaI&A light fastness database (see ID #s 237 and 238). 
> > 
> > OVI describes its HTv ink set as " A single, unique archival variable
tone carbon inkset. This inkset is for matte/rag printing and uses six pure
carbon inks from black to very light gray plus two very stable low-gamut
pigments in smalls amount to control print color". I cannot personally speak
to pricing, availability, or printer reliability issues as I have not
personally printed with these inks, but the hue and tonality of the samples
I received for testing look really good. This ink set may therefore be of
interest to end-users looking to try third party multi-shade monochrome ink
sets. The link to the OVI website is:
> > 
> > http://www.ovimaging.com/inks.html 
> > 
> > cheers,
> > Mark
> > http/www.aardenburg-imaging.com
> >
>



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