Digital BW, The Print

Shilesh,

Your wrote:

>I posted a message about a month ago on new EAM being warmer.  The
>paper I bought was also from Atlex, 8.5 x 11, Lot No. 02CC2004M. I
>found the same Lot No. at the local CompUSA, equally warm. And yes,
>it has weaker blacks. ...
>this is really bad because EAM is THE inexpensive steady
>war-horse ...

Yes, I recalled your post when I ordered my new EAM from atlex.com.  I guess
it was wishful thinking that Epson had taken care of the problem.  I wonder
how long this lot number is going to be out there.

The letter-size EAM I received is lot # 02CC2004M -- the same are yours.
The paper white on it reads: c=0.05, m=0.05, y=0.04, visual=0.05.  The black
is between 1.60 and 1.61.

Several older batches of EAM have white paper readings of c=0.04, m=0.04,
y=0.03, visual=0.04.  So, the new doesn't actually read yellow; it's just
not as bright.  It does have a more yellow look, however.

The blacks on my old EAM samples are not consistent.  On my 1160 I usually
assumed I'd see between 1.64 and 1.65.  A January 2002 test strip that has
been in dark storage (but close to acid paper) reads 1.65.  A test strip I
printed with the 3000 yesterday on the January paper has a black density of
1.66.  I usually do expect slightly darker blacks with the 3000.  The new
EAM, thus, is about 0.05 to 0.06 units weaker in the blacks than was the
January batch.

On the other hand, the batch of EAM I just used up routinely hit 1.68 with
the 3000.

I cut a small piece of EEM off a new roll I purchased.  I don't know the lot
number.  The roll has the expected white paper reading of c=0.04, m=0.04,
y=0.03, visual=0.04.  However, it's blacks only hit 1.64 with the 3000.

So, the paper is just inconsistent.  The new batch that only hits 1.60 with
the 3000, however, is so weak I'm going to complain and see if there is a
possible swap I can make for a different batch number.  I suppose I'll start
with the Epson Connection # (800)463-7766.  If anyone has a better number,
let us know. If that is the only batch, I suppose I'll keep it -- at least
until there is a better lot number out there.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com