Digital BW, The Print

Bruce,

>...
>My FS inks in my 1160 are running out and 
>I want to replace them with an inkset that can print on glossy paper. 
>Being able to also print on matte paper would be a plus.

The new MIS UT-FS inksets are MIS Ultra Tone family and are glossy-paper
compatible.  With the 1160, however, you'd have to switch between Photo K
and Eboni matte K.  Also, I don't think the 1160 black jet is as good as the
newer ones.  

>I've noticed talk about the UT and UT2 inks and photoblack and Ebony black.

UT1 is a variable-tone inkset that can be used in the 1160.  It can print on
glossy or matte, but the black inks do need to be changed.  Again, however,
for glossy paper I recommend a modern printer.

>I use the original QTR to print with and have gotten pretty 
>good at making curves by eye.

Good. I have tried to simplify curve making with the Epson driver also.  The
monotone UT-FS inksets are, of course, the easiest.  

In fact, what I'm doing now is writing curves for the UT-FS inks and the
Epson 1270. (The is 1280 done, and 2000P just started.) 

The UT-FS or UT-FSN in the hextone printers can print on matte or glossy
without changing the black ink.  The FS ink order I use is what I refer to
as "CMCMY."  There are 2 dark gray inks (FS C in C & M), 2 medium grays (FS
M in c & m), and one light gray (FS Y in Y).  The 2 dark gray inks together
give a good dmax without any further black ink.  For example, the 1270 UT-FS
dmax on Ilford Pearl is 2.30, even though I have Eboni installed in the
printer.  

For quick, short term B&W glossy prints, this system on cheap Epson Glossy
Photo paper is very hard to beat.  It makes bronzing-free, super-smooth
glossy prints with a dmax of 1.90. I don't think any other pigmented inkset
can do this.

>How good are these new pigment inks on glossy papers really? 
>Are they limited to certain glossy papers? 
>Do they need to be spray coated?

Most of the glossy papers need spraying, in my view.  The bronzing seems to
be associated with the micro-porous coatings in the newest papers.  On the
other hand, Epson Premium Semigloss (Wilhelm rated at >200 years) sprayed
with PremierArt Print Shield is excellent, in my view.  

I think the spraying is easy enough that this is what I consider the "high
end" way to go.  It makes the print so well sealed that the surface becomes
washable.  (Try that with a silver print.)  My initial fade test results
with Epson's Premium Semigloss are as good as the best (UT on UltraSmooth).
So, I think this combination is a serious medium.

There are only limited options if one wants to avoid spraying glossy prints.

For bronzing-free, pigment-based, B&W glossy prints, this is the only
combination I know of:   Epson Glossy Photo Paper and Epson Glossy Paper
Heavyweight, printed with MIS Ultra Tone family inks.

I happen to like to do both types of printing and avoiding spraying or
changing inks.  So, this is what I've come up with.

(UltraChrome inks do not do well on these papers.)



Paul
www.PaulRoark.com