Digital BW, The Print

The C82 was originally of interest to me as an easy, entry level printer
that could print archival "carbon on cotton" old photo reproductions.  It
can do a very good job of that for those like in the Genealogy Society who
are less concerned with dmax, etc. than with preserving and sharing their
old images.

 

Clearly the C82 can also be used for 8x10 display photos and snapshots.  For
this use, people might find the following information and settings useful.

 

I think the nicest display photos with the C82 are printed on RC papers.
The very affordable and widely available Epson Glossy Photo Paper works fine
with a respectable dmax of 1.64 with Epson Durabrite black ink, and
perfectly neutral midtones with the MIS "Easy B&W" neutral gray inks in the
color positions.  There are almost no bronzing or reflective differential
with this combination.

 

I prefer, however, Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl paper.  This is a 30 year
paper that is not archival, but it prints and looks great with the C82 and
the MIS "Easy B&W" inks.  It is also very competitively priced, although
more expensive than the Epson Glossy Photo paper, above.  (Epson Premium
Semigloss is OK also, but I prefer the Ilford for this printer.)

 

As noted above, I recommend using the Epson original Durabrite black ink if
one is interested in non-archival RC prints.  It appears to be a "universal"
type ink that has a bit of dye in it.  For example, it prints on both RC and
matte papers.  On EEM in black-only mode it hits a dmax of 1.65.  No pure
pigment Photo K that I'm aware of can do this.   However, the C82 is a
pigment printer rated at over 70 years with this black ink and the Durabrite
color inks.  MIS Photo K also works fine on RC and is probably more
lightfast, but I have never tested the Epson Durabrite black ink.

 

With the MIS "Easy B&W" neutral inks in the color positions and the
Durabrite K on Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl paper, the C82 makes a very nice
cool print, hitting the target 50% density right on the nose.  It prints
just slightly cool with a dmax of 1.91.  It does have a bit of bronzing, but
virtually no differential gloss at the 100% patch or in the shadows.
Spraying with PremierArt Print Shield will reduce the bronzing and protect
the image.

 

If one wants to warm the print up a bit, putting a carbon/warm cart in the
yellow position (but with neutral inks in the other color spots) makes the
C82 print with the usual neutral/"selenium" tone at 50% and with shadows
that are slightly warm.  I like the cooler print, personally.

 

 

SETTINGS

 

For neutral/cool B&W prints on Ilford Pearl or Epson Glossy Photo papers,
set the C82 driver paper type to "Glossy Photo Paper."   Use "Best Photo"
and uncheck "High Speed."  In Color Management, have the Color Controls
checked, and just leave the Mode in "Standard."

 

Enjoy.

 

Paul

www.PaulRoark.com <http://www.paulroark.com/>  

 

 

 

 

 

 



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