Digital BW, The Print

Paul, thank you for your thoughtful and informative reply.

-Robert

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Roark" 
<paul.roark@v...> wrote:
> 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 out of date here.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@h...]
> > 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
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
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