Digital BW, The Print

>I am completely new to BW printing (although not to digital imaging,
>photoshop, etc), and have a question about HP printers.
>
>Due to the almost complete lack of mentions to HP inkjet printers, I
>get the impression that they are completely ill suited for producing
>good quality B&W prints.
>
>I have an HP 5550 photo inkjet printer. Is it not even possible to get
>good quality prints from it? Is anyone in the group aware of
>alternative inks that can be used on it?
>
>Thanks, and sorry for the novice question.

The HP 7960, 7760, and 7660 printers, using a "59" cartridge that contains
black and two gray inks, are capable of producing B&W prints of outstanding
quality. The drawbacks are that paper no wider than 8-1/2" can be used, and
that the best results (in terms of tonality, surface uniformity, and
longevity) are obtained with HP's own Premium Plus paper, which is
available in high-gloss and medium-gloss finishes but not in a true matte
surface. Within those constraints, the prints are almost indistinguishable
from very good state-of-the-art RC prints or even fiber prints, are
projected to have an even longer archival life, and allow the image to be
fine-tuned using all the Photoshop capabilities with which you are familiar.

The 7660 printer itself costs a little over $100, and costs for ink and
paper are approximately $1.70 per print (6 x 9" image size).

-- Nick

NICHOLAS HARTMANN
Technical and scientific translator
(414) 271-4890
nh@...
http://www.nhartmann.com