Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "chipcarterdc"
<chipcarterdc@h...> wrote:

Chip, this is based on my own stubborn opinions, but also on experience-

> (1) Epson 9600 w. PiezoTone inks...

I've heard nothing about a release date for x600 profiles. I use a
9600 with Piezotone inks with StudioPrint.

> (2) Epson 9000 w. Piezo B&W ICC system (I have no idea what the 
> differences would be of the 9000 v. the 9600 for grayscale inks, nor
do I know 
> if you can even still buy a 9000 anywhere)

As Steve recently posted, used 9000s (or 9500s) can be found for very
good prices. I haven't heard that the icc profiles are out yet for the
9000 either, but haven't checked in a while. With quads, the quality
difference will be nearly undetectable to the eye, however if you go
with a system that allows you to use different ink tanks for different
purposes like StudioPrint or QTR (I think), 7 inks instead of 6 can be
a plus, but may not be worth the extra price. Many are using the 6 ink
printers with Piezotones and StudioPrint doing everything they want to
do well without the extra ink tank. You'd be hard pressed to justify
the additional cost of a 9600 for the vast majority of quad work.

> (3) Epson 9600 w. the Septone system, EXCEPT this is only an option
if you 
> run Windows.  The Photoshop plug-in does work for Mac, but only
works for 
> the 2200.  (Same is true for Septone with the 9000)
> 
> (4) Epson 9600 w. MIS's UltraTone 7 system (not yet available)

I can't comment on these two options, well I could but it would be BS.
But I will say this- if you are really considering doing print for pay
I would highly recommend a system you can hardware linearize. You need
to keep your output stable, if someone comes to you in two months and
wants an additional print just like the last one, and you have some
goofy new batch of paper, what will you do? The most obvious options
for that are QTR and StudioPrint. Also, you need to be utilizing tools
and materials that are somewhat stable in the marketplace. I'd bet Roy
wil be around a while, Ergosoft certainly will be. Even though I'm a
hard core Mac guy, I went with StudioPrint, considering the overall
cost of getting everything up and going, the additional PC wasn't a
huge burden. If you want to stay Mac only, I think Roy has your best
current option. I've heard ImagePrint will have a new version with
some more advanced quad controls, but it never seems to be released.
I have heard of custom shops using the large format Septone system,
also one using MIS quads with ImagePrint.