Digital BW, The Print

Friday, April 4, 2003, 7:52:51 AM, Stephen Kobrin wrote:

SK> Now that the Epson 2200 seems to be readily available and given that 
SK> a number of people on the list have used it for a while, I wonder if 
SK> anyone could compare the results (B&W) to quad printing using one of 
SK> the older Epson printers.  I use a 1200 with the MIS-VM inks and have 
SK> been pleased with the output.  All things equal -- mainly my own 
SK> capabilities -- does the 2200 really provide much more upside 
SK> potential?  I rarely print larger than 8X10.  Is it better or just 
SK> different??  

SK> Thanks,

SK> Steve


Without an expensive RIP I do not think neutral B&W is possible with
the 2200 no matter what workflow is used---and I have tried dozens and
dozens over the last few months. People who claim they are getting
neutral B&W prints from their 2200 using the Epson drivers I highly
suspect have not printed a B&W step wedge and compared it to one they
know is neutral, such as one from a quadtone ink set. The closest I
have come is printing through Qimage using ICC profiles off,
photo-realistic and -5 magenta setting. This gives me the smoothest
and most neutral 21-step wedge I've seen from my 2200 so far (on EAM)
yet there is still some slight green in the highlights. Much less than
anything else I've tried, but still there. It is the only workflow
that has NOT given me green-magenta-green-magenta cast transitions
through the wedge and with blocked up 95%+ areas.

That said I still love my 2200 for toned B&W such as sepia or
coppery-toned B&W prints. And the 2880 dpi printing capability is
quite wonderful especially if I print with Qimage printing software.

But I'll be sticking to my 1160 with MIS FS-N inks for the time being
for neutral B&W. Much cheaper too since I use a CFS.

As for how it compares to the VM ink set I cannot tell as I have not
used it. I will say though that I have not been overly impressed with
the VM prints I have seen. I suspect it's user error as they have been
prints with different colors in different areas of the print and I
guess the workflow can be finicky. If so then the 2200 might be better
if color-toned B&W is your game.

Best regards,
 Richard  

mailto:richard@...

L i n k s  t o  m y  g a l l e r i e s:
http://fujirangefinder.com/document.php?id=246