Digital BW, The Print

Sanders,

>-- When you say you are printing with Eboni onto Ilford Galerie 
>Smooth Pearl, on which printer, running which driver?

I'm printing with a 1280 printer and standard Epson driver.  The
Photoshop/Picture Window curves are all that is needed with the UT2 inkset
to print on either glossy or matte with the Eboni black ink.  It does take
different curves for the glossy when Eboni matte black is used as opposed to
the Photo black ink.

>-- Are you printing BO? 

No, it's the RC-compatible UT2 midtone grays that allow this.


> With a UC inkset, with Eboni in the K position?   
>Or with a UT2 inkset? 

UT2 is the only inkset that can do this well, as far as I know.

>-- Do you think you would get similar results running QTR with an Eboni/UC 
>inkset?

STR with UT2 could do this.  UC ink has a toner that is too light to work, I
fear.

>-- Would the workflow accommodate Epson Semimatte, and render similar 
>results?  

Yes, although I'm not a fan of Semimatte.  I prefer Semigloss for its higher
dmax, better Wilhelm ratings, and better receiving surface for sprays.

I have temporarily run out of Semigloss, but the system works with Premium
Glossy, which uses the same profiles as Semigloss and Luster.  (Semimatte
uses different curves/profiles.)  I'm just now writing curves for the
Premium Glossy and getting a dmax of over 2.3.
 
>-- What do you think is the best option/workflow/media for printing b+w 
>photographs on the 7600 using Epson Semimatte?   

I don't think there is a "best" combination.  Different people and markets
need different things.  The "fine art" market is going to demand cotton
under glass.   

On the other hand, I'm currently getting a kick out of Semigloss (Ilford
Pearl for 30 year photos and Epson Premium Semigloss for photos that might
have long term value).  I think the dynamic range and visual impact of
un-glazed, sprayed Semigloss papers (thrown in traditional, non-matted wood
frames) looks great for display.

So, bottom line, I need matte and glossy capability.

I don't want any part of having to change black inks on a 7600 (which is why
I was in line for a 4000).

So, that rather means that UT2 is the only one left that can give me
everything I want on a 7600 -- regardless of price.

>... Life would be so much easier if the 7600 were capable of 
>easy inkset changes.

True.  I suspect Epson will release a 7xxx version of the 4000 head soon.  I
also suspect I'll be waiting with outstretched arms to catch a real bargain
on a 7600 when large numbers of the current owners upgrade.


Paul
www.PaulRoark.com