Digital BW, The Print

Hello Jim,

>...speculating that with the new imporved B&W available on that
>printer, that third party inks would soon become obsolete. 
>...all the different fine art papers out there

I think ultimately it will depend on the papers.  Follow my logic
here: I have seen how over the past couple of years as more and more
people have gotten interested in BW digi printing, many new names have
appeared in the forum, and it seems to be no longer primarily fine art
types.  Forum members now seem to fall into two broad camps, those who
are fine art oriented and prefer matte papers with MK, and those who
seem happy with the glossy type papers and PK, especially because of
the greater Dmax.  I can't tell for sure, but I get the impression
that these glossy users are the same kinds of photographers that used
RC paper for darkroom prints, which is a very large market segment and
probably what Epson is aiming at.  Right now the fine art matte users
seem to be holding on to what they've been doing, and probably will
for some time.  

However, I think if someone invents a paper, cotton or otherwise, that
truly looks and feels like ADFBG, and is truly archival, and truly
allows a range of tones using truly archival Epson inks, then the fine
art matte/MK folks might switch en masse and 3p ink folks could be in
trouble.  Certainly the 3p ink folks must be watching developments
very closely.

But in reality, there probably will always be many good paper choices
and 3p ink folks will always be figuring ways to go one step better,
so I think there will always be a 3p ink and paper market of some
sort.  But it seems clear to me that the digi BW market is more and
more becoming mainstream and is taking on the two-sided coin aspect
that existed in the film/silver market - RC vs Fiber orientation.  And
I think it is this orientation, the paper, that will be a major
driving force that will affect the ink market.  I think the ink will
follow the paper, but how this will all play out is anyone's guess...

These ruminations are just impressions I have from long term forum
reading and watching industry trends.  I'll be interested to hear
others' thoughts. 

I am currently revising my "Great Paper Chase" article, testing some
new papers, and have been on the phone with some paper vendors - I
have some interesting observations that make me think the cotton matte
papers will keep up, but will post them in a separate thread.


Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm