Digital BW, The Print

"Jean" <jeanhenderson5@...> wrote:
>
> ... I have just begun the learning curve for B&W processing and output. Which means I need a new, dedicated B&W printer. ...
> I must keep expenses as low as possible. 

> I have an Epson 1400 that I will continue to use for color work,...

You really ought to learn QTR and see what the color 1400 can do on high gloss paper like Red River Polar Pearl Metallic.  The "half BO, half color" QTR profile is the "ABW" version of printing for the 1400 -- not half bad.  See http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/1400-Claria-BW.pdf  

I say I just make cards and brochures with this setup, but today the "card" I made was 13x28" and dry-mounted (and over 50 MP - major WOW for a detail freak).


> but do not know the best option between these two smaller printers. The least expensive seems a little more difficult to convert to B&W. 

> What I would like to know is the easiest (one set of pre-filled carts hopefully that could then be refilled)

C88 with MIS EZ.  They pre-fill and carts are re-fillable.


> as well as the least expensive solution over time -- that produces the optimum for a 4 ink printer.

If you could swing it, the 1100 with Eboni-4, mixed with generic base, would be the cheapest 13" printer with the cheapest inks, and it can also produce some of the very best (very lightfast and smooth) prints, but not very neutral on your PremierArt matte.

>... For tone, I would choose Neutral overall ...

Start with all EZ Neutral in the C88.  If it's too cold, add one cart of EZ warm.

Note that the curves that start one ink at a time make a smoother print.  I'm not sure if I have a profile for that paper and that approach, but some for other papers might work, and once you get into it, you can easily linearize an ICC with one of the sequential starting curves.

Enjoy.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com