Digital BW, The Print

> I understand the process. You exchange the color ink cartridges for 
> shades of gray, then use some sort of color profile setting to print 
> on special paper? Is there, like, a "quadtones for dummies" site I 
> could go to?
> Jim

I picked up a quadtone set from MIS.  I got the Full Spectrum Neutral.

www.inksupply.com

The other major competition is Piezography

www.inkjetmall.com

I am totally stoked to say the least.  At the MIS site click on "quadtones" and check out the workflows pages.  I would strongly suggest a "partitioned RGB" workflow as opposed to a "lumped" workflow, which typically use photoshop transfer functions to get a smooth tone.  These work, and with your less common printer you'll be able to get started with one of these right away.  The problem is that you will see the darker inks spread through your highlights.  Your prints will still be much better than with color inks, but IMO there is no comparison to a partitioned workflow.

I do not own a Piezography system, but I did receive a sample print from the company.  It is unarguably spectacular!  With a good partitioned workflow from regular contributors to this list, however, I believe you can equal the results of the Piezography, or "Cone" inks (you'll note Jon Cone's contributions to this list as well). I have compared the gray ramps from the Piezo sample to my own MIS print and both are very smooth.

Jump in, I haven't had this much fun with photography for quite a while.