Digital BW, The Print

Steve,

>I assume that since ... you also haven't tested dry-mounted prints?

No, I haven't tested them.

> I would guess that the mount board and
>glue/tissue would help, if a barrier does indeed make a difference?

That is what I've heard.  Collectors and conservators hate the dry mounting
or any non-reversible process.  However, from what I've heard, which is
consistent with what I've seen, the dry mounted prints are usually in better
shape.  I just received an old mounted print today.  The mount board was not
archival, and the acid has caused it to almost turn to dust.  The print,
however, is in surprisingly good shape.  The mount tissue seems to have
isolated it even from the acidic board, at least to a certain extent.



>> I just bought a 7500 and think it will make a great B&W machine.
I'm
>> currently planning on using the coated Epson Archival black
pigment mixed as
>> an FS/Piezo-compatible "quad."  I'll print with the Epson driver
an use the
>> double-cyan ink placement method.  (In short, I'm going to go with
the
>> Epson-coated pigs rather than rely on post-printing coating to
protect the
>> individual pigment particles.  Whether I use post-printing coating
for dmax
>> and physical protection depends on other factors.)

>Is it possible to buy the Epson archival black in bottles, or are
<you sucking it out of cartridges?

It'll be pulled out of 10000 carts.

> Also, What is the double-cyan ink placement method?

I'm going to try cyan in both cyan and magenta, and then the magenta density
in both the light/photo positions.  Yellow (lightest FS/Piezo ink) will stay
in the yellow position.

>... I did go ahead with the 7500-

Congratulations.

>...I do like the idea of an Epson arch. K inkset,
>that would put my mind to rest, even if it cost a bit more.

The 10000 carts can be purchased for in the $130 range.  That 500 ml is
mostly diluted for the midtones.  The black will get you up to 2.2 on RC
paper.  That dmax and 100+ years are something to think about.

I still prefer the matte look, even if the dmax is lower.  For matte, the
Archival K dmax is closer to 1.50.  Too bad.  I'm leaning toward the Cone
Museum K for that.  The fade tests Cone published for the Museum K look very
good, as do the prints I've made with an initial purchase of 4 oz.  The 220
ml "universal" cart is about $75.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com