Digital BW, The Print

The methods and materials to print B&W images on the Epson 2200 have 
been changing quickly over the last few months, as documented on the 
DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint list.  Mostly to get it all straight for 
myself, but also for those who have not been closely reading along, I 
thought I would put together a summary of the present possibilities 
for B&W printing on the Epson 2200. 

I am sure I have missed something or misreported something, so please 
correct me if I have misrepresented anything.

Things are changing fast for B&W printing on the 2200.  Six months 
from now the picture will certainly look much different.  Stay tuned.


1) Ink: Epson 
Driver: Epson with Stock or ICC curves
Results:  This is the 2200 "out of the box".  Tonality is fully 
controlled.  Metamarism is unacceptable for all but the most heavy 
sepia toning.

2) Ink: Epson 
Driver: Imageprint RIP
Results:  Metamarism is eliminated and tonality is under full 
control.  Imageprint RIP is very expensive ($500), and there is a 
learning curve with the minimally documented software.  A number of 
people have acheived very good results.

3) Ink: Epson 
Driver: OPM/IJC RIP
Results:  Presently available only on Mac's.  Metamarism is 
eliminated and tonality is under full control.  OPM/IJC RIP is 
expensive ($200), and the software is still officially in beta 
testing.  A couple of people have acheived very good results.

4) Ink: Epson 
Driver: Epson RIP
Results:  Metamarism is reported to be eliminated, but tonal control 
may be very limited.  Epson RIP is expensive ($200), and there is a 
software learning curve (documentation?).  A few people have acheived 
satisfactory results.

5) Ink: MIS FS/VM/Ultratone 
Driver: Epson stock with Roark curves
Results:  Not available for the 2200 yet.  Inks theoretically should 
work for the 2200, but only one person has tried them yet (see next 
entry).  Blank cartridges for the 2200 might be available soon.  
Since Paul Roark does not have access to a 2200, there are no plans 
for curves and a workflow (MIS might benefit greatly from finding a 
way for Paul Roark to "access" a 2200...)  Theoretically metamarism 
is eliminated and tonality is under limited control.  

6) Ink: MIS Ultratone 
Driver: Epson RIP?
Results:  One person has tried flushing and refilling, with 
satisfactory results.  Details are sketchy.

7) Ink: Piezography Quadtone
Driver: Epson stock with ICC curves
Results:  Not available for the 2200 yet, and the new Jon Cone inks 
and ICC workflow documentation make no mention of when they might be 
available for the 2200.  Inks theoretically might work for the 2200.  
Theoretically metamarism is eliminated and tonality is under limited 
control.  Questions about the high-dmax ink archival stability have 
been raised.

8) Ink: Sundance Septone 
Driver: R9 PixelPixasso RIP 
Results:  Latest estimate for availability for 2200 was "late March", 
but not available as of this writing.  I have heard no reports of 
anyone using the presently available inks and software. Theoretically 
metamarism is eliminated and tonality is under limited control. 

9) Ink: Other inks 
Driver: Other drivers
Results:  Other inks like Lyson, used alone or in combination with 
inks from other suppliers, are either not available for the 2200 or 
have not been tried on the 2200 by anyone reporting results to this 
list.

10)Ink: Bulk ink in "CIS" delivery system
Driver: Any
Results:  No bulk ink feed system is yet available for the 2200.  
There have been some rumblings about future availability.