Digital BW, The Print

Todd,

You wrote:

>... what is your feeling about the other pure
>carbon blacks, like those from Piezo color, original Generations, original
>MIS quads? They do fair considerably better than the dye/pigment hybrids,
>don't they?

I don't think anyone uses pure carbon.  It's just not black enough and too
warm.  My understanding is that the black pigments used in Piezo BW, MIS VM
& FS, and standard MIS are composed of carbon that is coated with a black
colorant.  The hybrid that is used by Media Street, called its "Enhanced"
black, is apparently coated carbon with dye added to the solution.  This
added dye it is generally going to fade faster.  And, in my tests it does.
However, it gets a great black and is no weakling.  After all, I think
Generations is close to 100 years now in its Wilhelm testing.

So, my guess is that the Indelible black is also a coated carbon.  I'd be
surprised if it did significantly better than the Piezo BW or MIS VM/FS
blacks, which, in my testing, are very good in terms of longevity and have a
very nice Dmax, even if not quite up to what the dyes can achieve.

In one post on the 9000 list someone seemed to say that the Indelible inks
are actually purchased from a company that sells to MIS.  So, they might
even be the same material as used in these other black pigments.

I, too, am curious.  If someone has found a super pig that can last 800-900
years I might even pay their outrageous price.  However, I'd guess the price
isn't nearly as outrageous as the longevity claim.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com

____________________________________


> In a FAQ section at
>
> http://www.mandmstudios.com/inkfaq.html#longevity
>
> The following claim is made for the Indelible inks:
>
> "6. ... Our black is pure carbon, so it is over 800-900 years of
longevity.
> ..."
>
> If someone who uses this ink could get me a "black ink only" test print (6
> inches long or somewhat less) of the 21-step test file on any coated paper
> (EAM or Museo best) I'd love to stick it in the fader to see how this ink
> compares to what most of us use.
>
> To say I'm skeptical is an understatement.
>
> Paul
> http://www.PaulRoark.com
>