Digital BW, The Print

I know this is a topic that has probably been covered to death in past posts, 
but I couldn't find the info I needed in a search going back through 
September, so.....

I've just started printing with the MIS FS-N inks using an Epson 1160 on 
Epson Archival Matte paper with Jeff Randall's workflow. Generally I'm 
pleased with the results, although I'd like to try H. Photo Rag or BC Satine for 
snappier, deeper blacks. But I would say I am happier than I was with the VM 
inkset.

I am seeing some microbanding. I don't want to be too picky about this, but in 
some light, particularly bright incandescent light or direct sunlight, it is visible 
to the naked eye. (Fortunately most prints aren't displayed in direct sunlight...)

What I'm wondering is whether this is something to live with, or whether I can 
tweak anything to reduce the microbanding. I'm also wondering what causes 
it.

It seems to be most prevalent in the darker grays -- particularly visible where 
the darkest grays overlap lighter grays -- and the banding is not continuous 
across the page... it seems to come in narrow "stripes," where there will be a 
line of narrow horizontal microbanding extending the length of the print (but 
again, not visible in the lighter areas), then an equally narrow stripe without 
microbanding, then one with microbanding, and so on across the page. This 
makes me wonder if it could be somehow printer-hardware related. And if it is, 
what I need to do to fix it.... (the printer is under warranty, so no 
disassembly...!)

The other thing I'm seeing is an ever-so-slight dottiness or dither again where 
a darker gray overlaps a lighter gray. On a stepwedge, this is occurring at 
about 60-65%. The microbanding shows up on the stepwedge between 65-
95%. Any thoughts on what I can do?

Just to keep everything in perspective, however, yesterday I stopped by the 
Photographic Center Northwest here in Seattle to see what they had on 
display. I took a close look at the framed 11x14s they had on display, and 
what did I see? DOTS! So I asked if they were inkjet prints, but no -- they're 
silver gelatin prints. It was just grain I was seeing, I suppose. So it seems even 
darkroom prints aren't dotless. I won't obsess so much about that anymore. If 
they look good, that's it.

This microbanding, though, is something I'd like to improve upon.


Awaiting feedback,

Peter