Digital BW, The Print

Martin,

I'm not sure if the limit on size has to do with the capability of the 
LJ or simply what is feasible for them to stock in terms of the film.  
The machine is capable of making prints up to 48x96 so I wouldn't think 
that it's a magnification issue.  I'm expecting to see them before I go 
off to the Piezo Summit on Friday, and I'll try to remember to ask.  
It's one of about 15 questions I have for them so I'll do my best to 
remember. Although expensive (its all relative of course- how much for 
an Epson 7000 and software??) the production of a high quality contact 
neg could well be the best possible way to print silver.  Its a one-
time charge for each neg, afterall...

Don't know about Duratrans, does it have an absorbant layer to hold the 
ink?  If not you will get pooling.  I've only briefly tested the 
Pictorico, and as I said, the blacks were a little weak. I used an 1160 
with PiezoBW inks. For continuous tone images perhaps it would be fine 
as the edge sharpness might be less of an issue than with type. Also 
maybe the quantity of ink laydown could be tweaked.  I couldn't get the 
detail to stay tight and wonder if something wasn't set up right.  I 
did a nozzle alignment and that was right on, but the fine detail was 
not up to par, in my opinion.  Perhaps I'll take another shot at it, 
although I have some other priorities that are in first place.

Cheers,
Phil
http://philbard.com


> As far as the work flow goes, I wasn't thinking that the contact neg 
> had to be from any particular digital printer. In theory I would 
> think that a laser printer such as the Lightjet would have an edge in 
> sharpness. From A&I's site I gather there is a size limitation. I 
> wonder if you supplied them with 11X14, 16X20 or large sheet film 
> (special order from Kodak or other)if the printer could handle it? (I 
> sent them an invitation to join the list their input would be great.)
> Obvious the cost would be going very high at this point but it might 
> be the ultimate silver print method in terms of sharpness.
> 
> Do you think printing a negative image on the Duratrans material 
> would be feasible?
> 
> I have several heard conflicting reports over the use of the inkjet 
> on the Pictorico material for contact negs. Can you tell me what your 
> workflow and ink set was for your attempt at this?
> 
> Thanks,
> Martin
>