Digital BW, The Print

Hi Angelo,

> Have been thinking about 3rd party inks, especially the Ultratones.   Are you
> using an Epson 2200?

Yes, I'm using a 2200 with the Ultratone carts. I'll eventually go to a bulk
feed, but I wanted to stick with the carts until I was convinced the system
would work well.

> Any special precautions when changing from the UC inks?

No, I'd have to describe the change over as very easy. I installed the
carts, ran several head cleanings and nozzle checks and was good to go in a
half an hour. 

I live in an 1840's era building with radiators and steam heat. The
temperature/humidity swing can be very dramatic. I do get bad nozzle checks
when I don't use the printer for a couple of days. But I have not had a bad
clog ever--two, three head cleanings at the most gives me a perfect nozzle
check.

Running a cleaning/nozzle check has become part of my workflow. I don't even
think about it anymore, it is just a step to do while the printer is warming
up.

> 
> It would seem that using more gray inks would definitely smooth out tones,
> and improve resolution compared to the IJC profiles for the 2200 which use
> basically black and light black with one toner color.   Is that your
> experience?

Yes. However, the difference is not as great as I thought it would be. I
thought the results with the IJC profiles and the UC inks were quite good. I
think the main benefit is in highlight smoothness.

After battling with a Cone system on a 9000, this has been a pleasure. It
isn't quite plug-n-play, but it is very close.

Jon