Digital BW, The Print

Hello Barbara,

>I'm tired of hunching over my bathtub. 

Understood!  (been there <g>).


>I would like to get my Epson 1270 printer to print nice black
>and white prints. 

I used an 870 for a long time, just a smaller version of the 1270. 
The black cart is the same as the 1280 black cart, so the MIS Eboni
ink can be used in it (Eboni is the black ink in the UT set).  I'm not
sure about the other inks in the UT set, whether they are available in
a 1270 color cart.  If not, then none of the UT approaches you read
about here (other than BO) will be available to you.

I first began doing BO printing on the 870 (4pl droplets with 1440
dpi) and the results are quite good in terms of Dmax, luminance, tonal
gradation, etc, but you have to like the somewhat grainy appearance. 
The newer printers such as 1280 and 2200 have higher resolution (2880
dpi) and can produce better quality BO prints (still not as smooth as
the dotless systems).  The advantage of using Eboni is that it is of
the newer generation of carbon inks and doesn't fade or color shift
like the older inks do, and it is the least warm of the other new
carbon inks.

If you don't like the BO look and want to make lasting prints then you
probably should consider another printer.  Basically the options are

1) c82 - letter size, about $100, will use the new MIS UT set soon to
be released, will be a no-brainer to use.

2) 1280 - 13x19", about $400 or so, will use UT or many other systems;
will use many different systems but requires more figuring and
tweaking

3) 2200 - 13x19", about $700, will use UT or Epson UC inks and various
RIPS, and also can use the new Septone system, a combination
software/grayscale ink system (very good quality, variable tone and
contrast, easy to use, but also expensive).


The new stable carbon inks are available in four flavors:

1) UC by Epson, for 2200/7600/4000

2) UT by MIS (has Eboni black) in bulk or carts for 1280/2200
     (the black 1280 cart will work in 870/1270)
   - and its variations, soon to be released for c82 and...whatever

3) PiezoTone by Piezography (has Museum black, very much like Eboni)
    in bulk or carts for 1280/2200/7600

4) Septone by Sundance, in bulk or carts for 2200/7600


  
>Okay, there must be more than one way to skin a cat. But, 
>I only want to skin ONE cat and not the whole dang neighborhood!!!

There are pros and cons to all of the above.  One good thing about BO
printing is that it doesn't require a commitment or investment to try
it, and you can be learning a lot about using photoshop and making
prints in general while you sort out all the rest.  I don't know if
you have seen the articles on my web site about it but the link at the
bottom of this msg will take you there.  If you start doing BO with
the 1270 and use Eboni on a good cotton paper you will be making
prints that will last as long as anything else, and you you will be
gaining  valuable experience and knowledge that will help in choosing
which other system to use.

  
>On the Black Only (BO) printing, is that only done with Eboni ink? 

Can be done with any ink, but Eboni has the advantages mentioned
above.


>Does this BO work with the MIS system? 
>The BO printing last a long time too?

The BO method is just a matter of telling the printer to use only the
black ink.  It is unrelated to any particular ink or system.  The
longevity of it depends on the ink and paper used, just like any other
method.



>If I were to sell these prints, what would give me peace-of-mind 
>knowing that I'm giving my customer a good print?

Use a stable ink and paper so it will last.  Beyond that, if you like
the print and the customer likes it...what else matters?



Have fun!

Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm