Digital BW, The Print

on 5/24/02 1:43 PM, DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com at
DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com wrote:

> Message: 4
> Date: Fri, 24 May 2002 12:00:26 -0000
> From: "scrber" <stephen.bate@...>
> Subject: Re: Gen4 inkset for B&W
> 
> Right, thanks for the feedback.  A couple more questions if you don't
> mind.  (please bear with me, I am new to this and promise I won't be
> asking such seemingly daft questions in another months time or so!)
> 
> 1 - If I was getting 'acceptable' prints from my colour dye set, why
> would I not be equally as happy with the G4 set?  Will something else
> be different?  Is 'metamerism'a bigger issue in B&W?
> 
> 2 - GULP.  What is an RIP (if there is an FAQ section I missed,
> please point me there....), where do I get it/one & will it cost me
> very much?  Does my RIP replace the Espon driver?  What about
> profiles?
> 
> 3 - My system is only 3 months old.  If I had to buy another printer,
> I may as well keep my colour one and go hextone for B&W.  Can't
> afford it for now.  When I can, then the majority of the discussion
> here will be of more relavence.
> 
> 
> Thanks, 
> 
> Steve

 About Generations inks for B&W:

You should know that the gamut is much less than the dye inks on glossy
paper (generations only works with matte papers as it is a pigment ink,
though epson brand pigment inks can work on some glossy papers).  The gamut
is also less than dye inks printed on matte papers.  So expect your prints
to have quite a bit less "punch" to them.  I've learned to live with this
limitation, though many times I wish I could have the look of dye inks, even
on matte papers.

That said, you will also need a custom profile made to print using these
inks(or the inkjetmall profile perhaps)  A professional custom profile will
cost about $100.  I am willing to bet that you will be disappointed with
Generations inks without the custom profile.

I had a profile made for my photo 1200 by CD Tobie, a fellow list member,
and have been very happy with it.  Though it was made for Epson Archival
Matte paper, it also works ok with Orwell/German Etching as well.

I have printed some B&W images using the color generations inks via the
custom profile and was surprised at how neutral they look.  Not perfect, but
pretty darn good.  Applying a small sepia tint to the image really hides the
imperfections rather nicely.

Hope this helps you in your decision.


-Bruce

Visit my website at:
http://home.earthlink.net/~smthopr