Digital BW, The Print

Jim,

>> The VM K has the highest ink load and uses a more volatile solvent.
>>If you have used the standard MIS Archival K (not as black),
>>does it have fewer problems?

> How would the curves be affected, generally?

Although the curves were written for the MIS VM black ink, the standard MIS
quad black also works fine.  With MIS quad black ink the separation between
the 95% and 100% values is somewhat compressed, but some actually think this
gives an appearance of better blacks.  If you want more separation between
those values (more of a "straight-line" response), use the Transfer Function
(the "Transfer" button in the Printer Setup dialog box) and put "94" in the
"95%" box.

> Jerry was experimenting with using Epson dye black at some
>point back, I'd expect he got great density with that but fade
>resistance?

Yes, I like deep blacks too, but I'm trying to go the other direction -- I
want NO dyes in my inksets.

>> I wonder if the UltraChrome black would work for you there.
>>I think Epson has done the most to get the inks to behave
>>themselves in lots of different environments.

>I'm leaning that way, this is too much work. My two worries are fade
>resistance of UC vs MIS VM,

UC-K appears to be tougher than the MIS VM-K.

> and finding a workflow that doesn't cost
>$500 if possible<g>. Any illumination on these?

I'm thinking of pulling UC-K from a 9600 cart.  I think the price would be
close to PiezoTone pricing.

Have you tried the PT midtones?  I'm curious how the carrier they use would
react in your environment.  Of course, you'd be stuck with one tone, but
that is a question of your subjective preferences.  The PT midtones with the
UC-K probably makes the most lightfast desktop inkset possible with today's
technology.  Add a coat of UV absorbing coating, and you'd be close to a 200
year inkset.

>  I hear that the UC-K is not that great on Eclipse,

It does appear to be weaker than MIS VM-K on all but EAM.

>and, of course, it is more expensive.

Or course.

I understand some pay $ for old carts.  Perhaps the 9600 cart with a new
chip would get you a few (relatively trivial, I suppose) bucks back.

>I got TSS photo to print out some stuff on Eclipse 190gsm with both
>matte AND photo black. Yes it has some problems the biggest is I'm
>disturbed by the drop out from just higher than 90%k to 100%k.

Was this the full UC inkset in a 2200?

>Also of course they didn't use any correcting software and there is
>metamerism, and also an overall color change in different light.

The full inkset is still a color inkset, and not the greatest for B&W.  I'm
more inclined to use the UC-K (matte) as part of a quad set.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com