Digital BW, The Print

pdimage <pdimage@...> wrote:

> **
>
>
> ... I am posting to find out whether I can do a quick and easy conversion
> of a cheap Epson CMYK inkjet printer to dedicated B&W. I bought an Epson
> four colour SX425w ...
>

That appears to be a 4-color DuraBrite printer.  As such, I'd look at the
various approaches I used for the WorkForce 1100, which also uses the
DuraBrite inks, with no LM or LC.

The first issue is whether you can find empty cartridges that work with it.
 If there are none that are said to be just for that printer, see if the
SX425 cartridge numbers match those of, for example, the WorkForce of the
equivalent in your market.

If there are empty carts, then there are a number of different B&W setups
that will work.  Note that you'll have to use the Epson driver, but with a
4-color printer Photoshop curves do a rather good job.  You can put the PS
curves into an ICC with QTR's Create ICC-RGB and have a very nice "color
managed" workflow.

At http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Inkset-list.html take a look at the
inksets for the WF30 and 1100.  The printer makes a fairly good ramp with
LK in all the color spots.  I prefer LLK in the Y position and LK in the M
and C positions.  For the ultimate in lightfastness, you can set up a 100%
carbon "Eboni-4" approach (which can also be the cheapest if you mix your
own base and dilutions -- see
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Ink-Mixing.pdf ).

If you want the most stunning dye images on high gloss papers, the Noritsu
K + Claria dyes are also an option.

There are lots of options depending on your goals and the extent to which
you want to mess with inks.

But, the first step is to find empty carts.

Good luck and let me know if you have questions.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com


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