Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., Todd Flashner <tflash@e...> 
wrote:
> 

(snip)
> 
> I think what I am speaking to is printer inconsistencies that occur 
without
> regard to what ink is in them. I sometimes get this micro banding 
(would
> someone please define micro banding and submicrobanding for me, and 
what is
> the corduroy banding called?) even on my 1270 with Epson inks.
> 

Todd,

My understanding of these terms:

Micro banding is fine white or light colored lines that are visible 
at normal viewing distances.

Sub-micro banding is the same but requires magnification to detect 
and is not visible at normal viewing distances.

Corduroy banding is a banding pattern with no detectable light 
between the bands. This may just be something similar to brush marks. 

My experience with Piezo on a 1200 was that I was always getting sub-
micro banding in the 25 - 50% tones in very smooth sections of the 
prints. These sometimes got bad enough to be micro banding.

With MIS VM on a 1280 I have fine corduroy banding in the 50%-80% 
tones that can only be seen with magnification.

Some sort of linear pattern in the direction of head movement appears 
to be very common in inkjet prints. If the image has a fine pattern 
such as foliage or simply enough grain, the linear bands are 
completely broken up and cannot be seen even under magnification. 
Using a textured paper also can disrupt the appearance of banding to 
some extent. Some prints and printers seen to not suffer this problem 
at all. Maybe this is where the 7000 and up printers have an edge.

Bottom line, if you have to get out a loupe to see it, I wouldn't 
worry about it. If you are seeing it at normal viewing distances, 
then it is the old routine of align the heads, clean the heads and if 
that doesn't work try for an exchange from Epson.

Martin



(snip)