Digital BW, The Print

I have tried several times and spent more $ than I care to admit to trying to get the Piezo system routinely working successfully on
my Epson 1160. Each time I have returned to MIS inks. I got so frustrated this last time 'round that I loaded up a brand new CIS
with MIS VM inks and tossed the PiezoTone ST cartridges in the trash! Microbanding, clogging, etc., is, regardless what Jon and
Co. say, a very real problem. They continually blame it on the hardware...I ain't buying it!

Case in point:  when I had the ST cartridges installed, I printed a few images one afternoon and returned the next evening to print
another one. A quick nozzle check--which I routinely do every time before beginning a print session--revealed about 1/2 the nozzles
not firing. I ran several cleaning cycles, let it sit overnight (can't tell ya how pleased I am to have to do this!), and the next day's
nozzle check showed that all but 1 or 2 were firing properly. I went ahead with my printing, anyway. Shouldn't have bothered because
banding was present once again.

OK...I've tossed the ST cartridges and installed MIS VM. Printed a couple of images and, then the printer sat for maybe 4 or 5
days. Upon turning it on, I did my usual nozzle check and, voila, perfect from the get go! Even the 1 or 2 that I could NEVER get
going with the Piezo cartridges were now OK. Can't say I've totally given up on Piezo--I'm stubborn and the paper profiles are a
very nice to have item--but, given the ability to modify the "color" of the print using Paul's VM inkset, and the results obtained, I'm
pretty much sold on MIS VM for now. I'm getting beautiful prints on EAM. I'm satisfied. Life is good.........

Hope this helps in your decision.

Best regards,
Alan

-----Original Message-----
From:	lawrencetrek [SMTP:ltitle@...]
Sent:	Wednesday, August 07, 2002 8:59 AM
To:	DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject:	[Digital BW] PiezoTones:  Are they ready for prime time ?

Microbanding, clogging, and now clipping ...  

As I debate making an investment into a new 1280 printer for PiezoTones 
carts, some of you guys are continuing to scare me off.  How, prevalent are 
these problems ?  Are any of you having trouble free printing with the new 
inks (with the 1280 carts rather than CIS) and producing excellent prints ?  If 
so, why are others posting such problems.  

Now, I am starting to consider the prospect of buying the Epson 2200 and 
buying custom printer profiles to try to produce my B/W digital prints.  Could 
be less stressful until more of the kinks are removed from piezography.  Help 
and guidance would be appreciated.



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