Digital BW, The Print

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the reply. Re the first item, that means that the VM/1160 
combo is only using three main black/grey levels -- and it still gets 
the smoothest result. Interesting. On the second point, now you've 
reminded me I do recall that Eboni isn't used in UT2/7 for gloss 
(sorry, there's so much to remember with this stuff!)

Yes, I'd like to get some samples, but I don't know how easy it'll be 
since I'm in the UK and most of the members of this group seem to be 
Stateside. No harm to ask though, and I'll post a separate message to 
that end.

Best regards,

-= mike =-

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Roark" 
<paul.roark@v...> wrote:
> Mike,
> 
> > ... in the light of what I've seen on Roy's "Dots, Dots" page. 
> >A few questions have cropped up ...
> 
> >First off, how does UT for 4-colour printers achieve variable 
toning ...
> 
> The Y position ink is a cool toner, just like the original MIS VM 
inkset.
> The gamut of the toner is slightly higher because the black and 
gray inks in
> the UT inkset are warmer (the same warmth that the VM inkset would 
be once
> the inkset warms up).
> 
> >Next up, regarding UT2 on the same page MIS state that you need to 
> >switch blacks to go between matte and RC papers, but Paul's site 
says 
> >that Eboni will do both with the 1280:
> 
> >http://home1.gte.net/res09aij/UT2-Readme.htm
> 
> Correct.  With the quads you'll need PK for glossy printing.  (Some 
have
> used a post-printing spray with Eboni just like we used to have to 
do with
> the old VM or Piezo systems.)  
> 
> With the UT2 and UT7 inksets the systems can print on glossy paper 
even with
> Eboni installed.  This is done by avoiding using the Eboni ink.  
The 2
> midtone grays are dark enough to achieve a dmax that is about 5% 
lower than
> if the PK were used.  On Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl, the dmax with 
no PK
> used is over 2.3.
> 
> >... is it right that UT1 quad and hex also 
> >allow compatibility with all paper types provided Eboni is 
installed 
> >and the correct curve adjustments are made?
> 
> No.  The UT1 inkset requires PK to print well on glossy paper.  
Only UT2 and
> UT7 can print well on glossy with the Eboni installed.
> 
> >Thirdly, looking at the evolution from VM to UT, and considering 
> >Roy's comments about the lighter grey provided in the VMS set for 
the 
> >1160, is it true to say that the lightest UT grey is darker than 
the 
> >lightest VM grey in order to allow the "Easy B&W" functionality?
> 
> The lightest UT2 and UT7 grays are darker than the VM and UT1 
lightest gray.
> This is needed to get the sepia in there and to allow printing 
without the
> use of curves -- the "EZ" mode.
> 
> This is why the UT2 is for the 1280 only.  The 1280 is good enough 
that the
> light ink needed for the old quads (like the 3000) is not needed for
> visually smooth prints.  Of course, the 1160, with its rather modern
> variable-dot design, can achieve smoother highlights with the 
lighter gray
> ink.  However, there is a point where more smoothness just doesn't 
add any
> significant value, whereas the alternative uses of that ink 
position does.
> So, the UT2 design, for me and many others, is better compromise of 
features
> and makes prints that, overall, are better than the 1160.  I will 
probably
> throw my 1160 in the trash now instead of fixing it again.
> 
> >I'm mainly looking for smoothness ...
> 
> Get some samples from people.
> 
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com 
> 
> For UT2 & UT7 information, curves, and settings see:
> http://home1.gte.net/res09aij/