Digital BW, The Print

Consequently, I wonder if you might have a moment to comment on Jon Cone's
inks as used in the Epson printers.  Do you feel that the tonal range and
print quality exceeds the results that one can achieve with careful work (
editing to the tonal values one wants, etc. ) using the K3 Epson inks?
Indeed, in the set up that you provided for one of your printers, are the 6
black and white inks from Jon's atelier?

Elliot,

I have never used Cone's inks. I found the pricing and the customer service
at inksupply.com much more appealing.
I did initially buy a set of refillable cartridges from Cone. I had to buy a
replacement set elsewhere.

The simple fact that Cone's ink sets are multiple gray inks would logically
make for a better gray scale result than EOM inks that mix in colors with
the grays and therefore are going to look different under different
lighting. So, yes, you will absolutely get better results than OEM with
Cone's B&W inks and also with Inksupply's inks.

I don't think "careful work" plays much of a role. The printer will apply
OEM inks as it deems necessary and the only thing you can do to exercise any
control over that is to use ABW, which STILL throws in color inks it thinks
are needed, just less so.

Ask members of the list using ABW how they feel about it and try it out for
yourself. You have to buy a printer with color inks anyway, why not use them
to see if you can get what you like? If you can achieve the tonality you
want with OEM inks, don't mind reduced longevity compared to carbon inks,
and don't mind paying $5000 per gallon, you're probably best off using them.

David Kachel

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