Digital BW, The Print

Bill Lewis <bill-lewis@...> wrote:
>
> I only print on matte paper, so I'll mix up some of your C6b base.
> ***********************************************
> ...
> Edwal LFN is an Ethoxylated Linear Alcohol, Isopropyl water mixture ...

Photo Flo's main active ingredient is also an ethoxylated linear alcohol, but there are lots of those.  These are basically low foam surfactants.  I chose them in part because they were readily available and have been used in photo applications for years, with no serious negative results as far as I can tell.  Note that the Photo Flo also has glycol in it, and that is an active ingredient.

The surfactant blend is a key part of these inks.  I think Epson and HP have superior ones to what I specified in the C6b base (and to what MIS/IS use), but we're able to get close enough that the systems work well.  Further research into the surfactants might be needed as printers get faster and the rheology of the inks becomes even more critical.  If we ever start hearing that MIS inks are not working well in the latest Epson printers, I'll start to more seriously consider the issue, but as far as I know, that has not happened yet.

For those who don't know what we're talking about, see my Ink Mixing PDF at http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Ink-Mixing.pdf   

I have always had mixed feelings (so to speak) about this effort.  While I think it's a critical part of what I hope is a continuation of the wet darkroom, developer-mixing segment of the B&W tradition, it, no doubt, did hurt some of our suppliers.  That was not my purpose.  On the other hand, making the best (in terms of longevity, the rest being subjective) available to all for the least amount of money is a significant part of what I try to do, and do-it-yourself ink mixing is an important part of this.  DIY carbon inks in an Epson 1100 make an amazingly affordable setup that can stand up the the very best.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com