Digital BW, The Print

Robert,

I don't think there is any good objective comparison of the options.
However, here is how I approach the issue:

First, I won't have anything to do with an inkset that is not 100% pigments.
Dyes may clog less, have a higher dmax, and be able to run on more types of
printers, but they fade much faster and most are plagued by metamerism.  The
older pigment inksets were hybrids and the dyes burning off caused fast and
sever color shifts with most of them.

When one looks only at the 100% pigment inkset, the list is rather short.

The UltraChromes are the starting place.  They no-doubt are the most
reliable.  With QTR or IJC, not to mention more expensive rips, the UC
inkset can make very good B&W prints.  However the dedicated inksets have
light inks that are less than half the concentration of the UC LK, which is
used all the way up in the UC-rip prints to avoid metamerism.  So, there is
a bit of an edge in smoothness to the dedicated B&W inskets.

The main 100% pigment B&W inksets I'm aware of are the MIS UT inks and
Cone's PiezoTones.  In my fade tests both are outstanding.  With both these
outfits many love them and some have endless trouble.  

The PiezoTones are monotone inksets, as are the MIS UT-FS and UT-FSN.  The
monotone inksets have the lightest gray inks, and are marginally smoother,
but most will not see this unless they look at the pirnts under a loupe.  On
the other hand, in the MIS UT2 and UT7 variable-tone inksets the yellow
position can be used for the super-light UT-FSN-Y.  With an appropriate
curve, this makes these variable-tone inksets have as smooth highlights as
the monotone inksets.  I have tried this and have a sample curve, but I
don't think it's a worthwhile option for most people.

The Piezo approach is more turn-key and prints from grayscale files without
the need to use curves, etc.  As such, the workflow may be easier for
people, and I assume there are more paper profiles.  The flip side is that
it is not an open workflow that allows you to tweak the profiles/curves
yourself.  It's been a while since I used Piezo systems, so I might be a bit
out of date here.

MIS's business model is to just sell the inks people want, and then the
customers are on their own.  I make Photoshop curves available to all, and
MIS distributes them also, but if there is a paper that I have not profiled
with a curve, you're going to have to see which curve works best and modify
it yourself.  With the UT2 & 7 inksets many papers also print fine with just
some Epson driver slider adjustments, which is the easiest workflow.
However, the most control is gained with the use of curves or a rip like QTR
or IJC.  Many on this list use QTR with MIS inks and also have curves.
These can often be linearized for a new paper and work fine.

I use MIS inks because its business model fits what I like to do, the inks
are cheap, and they are glossy paper compatible.  I think the glossy papers
are getting very interesting, and the ability to print on both types of
paper without having to change ink is a big advantage, especially with the
7500 and 7600.  This ability is unique to a few MIS UT inksets (among
pigmented inkset) as far as I know.

I post my notes on the various MIS inksets I've been involved with at
http://home1.gte.net/res09aij/index.htm .

Good luck in your search.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com 








> -----Original Message-----
> From: Robert [mailto:la_native@...]
> Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2005 7:22 AM
> To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Digital BW] Basics on B&W Inks
> 
> 
> 
> I've been perusing this forum for over a year, and I've seen literally
> hundreds of posts about various B&W inkset options for Epson printers.
>  I have a 2200 and I'm considering MIS' UT7 carbon inks.
> 
> Before taking the plunge, I'd like to become more knowledgeable on the
> subject.  Is there a website or a link that discusses the various
> options that are out there, with pros and cons of each manufacturer?
> 
> Finally, has there been any kind of concensus on this board as to
> which inksets work the best?
> 
> Thanks,
> Robert Ades
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Please visit the Group Homepage to check the Files, and other resources as
> they are often being updated.
> 
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint
> 
> If you wish to receive no emails or just a daily digest, or you wish to
> unsubscribe, please edit your Membership preferences by visiting this same
> page.
> 
> Please follow these basic guidelines:
> - As threads develop, trim off excess portions of earlier messages to keep
> them short.
> - Good manners are required at all time. No personal attacks or flames.
> Hostile, aggressive or argumentative users may be removed from the
> membership without notice.
> - Keep your posts and threads related to the group topic of digital B&W
> printing. Users who persistently make off-topic posts may be removed from
> the membership.
> - By posting on this forum you agree to abide by the group rules and
> guidelines, and to abide by the actions and decisions of the group Owner
> and Moderators. See "Group Topic, Rules and Guidelines" in the Files
> section:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint/files/
> 
> BY PARTICIPATING IN AND/OR POSTING MESSAGES TO THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT
> YAHOO! GROUP YOU EXPRESSLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT THE "OWNER" AND
> "MODERATORS" OF DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO
> YOU FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR
> EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF
> PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, DATA OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES (EVEN IF THE
> "OWNER" AND "MODERATORS" OF DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP HAVE BEEN
> ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES), RESULTING FROM: (i) THE USE
> OR THE INABILITY TO USE THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP; (ii)
> UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR DATA; (iii)
> STATEMENTS OR CONDUCT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ON THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT
> YAHOO GROUP; OR (iv) ANY OTHER MATTER RELATING TO THE DIGITAL BW, THE
> PRINT YAHOO GROUP.
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>