Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Roark" 
<paul.roark@v...> wrote:
> Todd,
> 
> >... I'll probably start with the UT set and think to customize.
> 
> If you wanted to make a dual-toner inkset for the 9000, I'd probably see if
> the UT cyan could be matched with the UT-FS-Warm magenta in the light cyan
> spot.  I'm not sure if MIS has mixed any of this yet or not.  
> 
> I think the UT Y (lightest gray) is too light to hide the cyan (dark gray)
> dots.  The current UT light cyan, however, is too dark to be acceptable in
> the highlights.  The Piezo/FS density magenta seems like a reasonable
> compromise.
> 
> Then I'd use the UT cool toner as is in the magenta spots.  I mixed a light
> sepia toner for the Bowhaus 2200 system that would be appropriate for the
> yellow spot.  
> 
> The only real question would be whether the cyan/light cyan (FS/Piezo
> density) would give acceptable dots with the 9000.  It would be a compromise
> both at the very lightest end and where the dark gray inks start.  However,
> the Epson dither does a good job with these cross-overs, so it might be
> fine.
> 
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com

Todd,

Paul has given a pretty good rundown of the UT and UT-2 inks in terms
of color expectations.  I think right this moment if you want off-the-shelf
inks for the 7500, the UT's are the only game in town.  The thing you
give up is a real sepia - you get a pure carbon warm thru neutral but that is it.
The trouble with UT-2 and the 7500 is that there aren't enough gray inks
to make it reasonably dotless.  If you are willing to mix and load your
own cartridges and use QTR I think you can manage something similar
to what Paul is getting with UT-2 on the 1280.  With the 7500 and its
big dots the number of grays and their density is more critical than most
printers.  I've been thinking of doing something similar with my 7500 but
haven't loaded any inks yet.

This is my best guess as an inkset that is UT-2ish (a little like the special 2200).
K = UT-K  (eboni or photo)
C = UT-C
M = mix UT-LC 50%, UT-Y 50%
Y = UT-Y
LC = UT-M the blue toner
LM = UT-2  the sepia (I'm not sure which ink)

MIS is now selling ink for the 2200 in 4oz bottles:
http://www.inksupply.com/index.cfm?source=html/cfs_2200_new.html
This is almost the right thing.  The middle gray ink is the only problem.
As Paul mentioned the current UT-LC is fairly dark, I assume this is what
is also the "50% K" on the 2200 page.  So I'd get an extra Y (25%K) and
cut the middle gray 50/50.  

This is a little complicated but loading the big carts isn't too bad.  It
would involve making curves for QTR.  

Roy
www.harrington.com