Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Shilesh Jani"
<shilesh.jani@s...> wrote:

...
> So what does it take to get better prints?  The original Piezpgraphy 
> (and now PiezoTone) and MIS FS inks use 4 shades of gray (black, dark 
> gray, medium gray, and light gray) to produce the absolute in ramp 
> smoothness and dotless in highlights.  I asked myself is this
> necessary?

That is a subjective call. I happen to believe it is. However I deal
with a lot of large format images, where the difference may be more
noticable. On the other hand, many are more than happy with the two
part K, and their opinions are as valid as anyone's.

...

> (2) Partial spectrum (tritone):  Black, Dark Gray, and Medium Gray
> 
> On the 1280 (and presumably other newer printers that are smaller
> than 
> or equal to 4 pL droplet size):  The tritone prints are just as
> smooth 
> and dotless as the quad tone prints.

...

Again, some would disagree, even going to 6 inks, 5 grays and black. I
have seen examples and there is a difference. The question is, do you
need it?

> Both are better (very, very 
> slightly)
> than QTR prints uisng OEM inks.  My guess is that the Light Gray (5%) 
> ink was essential in the older Epson 3000 printer which has a much 
> larger dot size.

...
The above mentioned 6 part "quads" were done with a 9000. Obviously
native dot size is a factor, but dots are dots.


> On the 2200, 4000, 7600, etc which are 7 color (neglecting the glossy 
> Photo Black of the 4000), the upshot actually is very promising.  You 
> can load THREE hues of PiezoTone inks.  InkjetMall offers 2 hues for 
> these printers.  But because the light density ink appears to be 
> superfluous, a custom approach will allow 3 hues and countless mixing 
> between the hues.

That is certainly possible, and an interesting idea. For now, I prefer
the smoother 4 ink aproach, and various options between two complete
hue sets with a shared K with an x600. Also, for now, the straight UC
set for heavily toned mono work.
Clearly though, as printers come out with more tanks, and smaller
dots, many interesting options open up for creative thinkers like you.
Keep it up.
One thing we are going to see more of, multi-part Ks with CMY toners,
quite possible even now with a x600 and StudioPrint. You can take all
this quite far given a budget beyond most of us, the new
Roland/StudioPrint/DaVinci system for example.

Tyler