Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Roark" 
<paul.roark@v...> wrote:
> I'm not sure that the Epson inks would do much better in the 
clogging
> department if all the variables were equalized.  I'd guess Epson 
would win
> such a contest, but not be much.

Based on what I've read here, I think you're onto to something 
regarding Epson's proprietary solvent/ink formuations (their 
cartridge design may also be factor). Something they're not about to 
share with the 3d-party vendors (and is probly patented to boot, 
meaning no possiblity of reverse-engineering). It's an open secret 
that Epson's profit model (as are their competitors') is based on 
consumables, while the printers themselves are 'loss leaders' -- in 
the consumer space anyway.

Whatever, the negative reports we keep getting here (admittedly 
dominated by a handful of posters) amount to a strong disincentive 
for anyone to invest in 3rd-party inks, cartridges and CIS systems, 
as they do not seem to reliably live-up to vendors' claims. That is 
going to have to change, or --

If only Epson would enter the 'quadtone' b+w space, and drop their 
prices a bit, they could probably recapture 100% of the consumables 
trade with little effort. But perhaps they are satisfied with 99%, 
and are quite happy with the profits those high prices ensure. 

Competition will have to come from other quarters.