Digital BW, The Print

Thanks, Paul.  I had read your remarks about the UT curves for the 
1280 somehow not encountering the "stairstepping" gradation that the 
VM curves did.  Weird, but we're not complaining!  :-)

But my original question remains unanswered:  How does the UT inkset 
differ from the VM set, particularly regarding the look of the 
prints, the black density, and tendency towards nozzle clog 
problems?  Is UT stable now for matte printing?  There was some 
contradictory information on the MIS website, some pages saying it 
was experimental and in bulk only, and others saying cartridges are 
now available.

Has anyone out there made the switch from VM to Ultratone, and are 
you happy you did?

--Peter

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, 
> Paul Roark wrote:

> > The 1290 curves were probably better than the 1280 curves for the 
VM 
> > inkset.
> > For the UT inkset, the 1280 UT curves are the best.
> >
> > Paul
> > www.PaulRoark.com  

> > Peter A. Klein wrote:
> >
> > > How do the MIS Ultratone hextone inks compare to the VM 
(Variable
> > > Mix) inksets?  My cartridges will run out soon, and I'm 
wondering
> > > whether to switch from VM to Ultratone.
> > >
> > > I've been printing with VM for some time on an Epson 1280, 
using the
> > > 1290 driver (which prints with smoother gradation) and Paul 
Roarke's
> > > 1290 curves.  I use prefilled cartridges.  I'm reasonably happy 
with
> > > the VM inks. Things I'd like to improve:
> > >
> > > 1.  The density of the blacks, which are not as good as I got
> > > printing B&W with color inks.
> > >
> > > 2. It would be nice to go back to the 1280 driver.
> > >
> > > 3. Proneness to clogging.  I have experienced some clogging 
with the
> > > VM inks after not printing for a week.  Most took just a 
cleaning
> > > cycle to clear up, but I had a "clog from hell" recently that
> > > required Windex and hot water injections to clear. (And thanks 
to
> > > everyone who helped me with that recently).
> > >
> > > I print matte now. I wouldn't mind trying something glossier at 
some
> > > point. When I printed in a chemical darkroom, I used mostly 
glossy
> > > paper without ferrotyping, or the old Kodak N "smooth" fiber 
papers.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > --Peter Klein
> > > Seattle, WA