Digital BW, The Print

Thanks for the info.

Given that I would be doing a fair amount of printing (mostly for exhibitions), do you think 
it would be more effective to buy a printer in the lower range 7500/7600 or higher range 
(9500/9800) and the ink, or have someone else print the work?  How would I calcualte the 
cost effectiveness between the two (ie, can you give me an idea of which paper and inks I 
would likely need to achieve the results you outlined, and how many prints are probable 
out of an inkset for mostly B&W images?)

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  If you have any product suggestions, I can 
research prices and crunch the numbers.

Thanks.

~Joel

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Roark" <paul.roark@v...> 
wrote:
> Joel,
> 
> > I will probably be looking to do prints up to 20x24" and larger...
> 
> The Epson 7xxx series takes up to 24 inch rolls.  The 9xxx takes up to 44".
> The 7xxx series was the compromise that made the most sense to me.  Used
> ones are not that expensive.
> 
> > assuming it is not practical (with as quickly as printers get outdated) 
> >to purchase what would likely be a large format printer,
> 
> My 7600 is out of commission, so I'm using my 7500.  It's almost as good for
> B&W, and these are quite affordable.  In short, you don't need the latest,
> even if they are marginally better.
> 
> > is there anywhere locally that makes these types of prints at reasonable
> > prices?
> 
> There usually are people on this list who have appropriate printers and will
> do the work for a reasonable fee.
> 
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com 
> 
> 
> > 
> > --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Roark"
> > <paul.roark@v...>
> > wrote:
> > > Joel,
> > >
> > > > ... I am just learning more about digital printing (work in large
> > > > format film) and am trying to deduce which digital printing
> > > > process is most similar in quality, ambience and permanence to a
> > > > traditional fiber print?
> > >
> > > As you can tell from previous responses, reasonable people can have
> > rather
> > > different opinions on the issues you've raised.
> > >
> > > Overall, however, I'd guess most on this forum feel that carbon-based
> > > pigment inksets provide the best B&W solution so far.  The ones that are
> > > most often used are probably the MIS, Epson UC, and Piezography
> > pigments.
> > >
> > > Although matte prints have a different look than the air-dried fiber
> > prints
> > > I used to make, most of my serious work is on matte, acid-free paper.
> > When
> > > framed under glass, they look very much like my older prints.  Not
> > having to
> > > dry mount them is a huge plus.  The matte finish allows simple tape
> > hanging,
> > > which is preferred by conservationists and much easier.
> > >
> > > The measured dmax of matte paper is low (e.g., 1.65 v. 1.9 for real
> > world
> > > silver print) but the lack of reflections often offsets this difference.
> > > Once I got used to the matte look, I found I preferred it for most work.
> > > The main problem I have with it is that it's fairly fragile -- being
> > subject
> > > to physical damage or abrasion if, for example, one rubs a finger across
> > a
> > > dark black area.  For prints I'll ship today or tomorrow, that are not
> > > framed or matted, I'll spray them with "Lascaux Fixativ" to help be sure
> > > they don't get damaged in transit or when the buyer mounts and frames
> > them.
> > >
> > > The latest pigments from MIS and Epson can also print on RC paper and
> > have a
> > > higher dmax than the silver prints.  Wilhelm Research rates the Epson
> > > Premium line of these papers as archival (more than 200 years of dark
> > > storage).  While I disliked the wet process RC prints, I use Epson
> > Premium
> > > Semimatte and, especially when sprayed with a lacquer (PremierArt Print
> > > Shield) and dry mounted, I think it looks very close to a silver print.
> > It
> > > also has a surface that can actually be cleaned with a damp cloth.  For
> > > prints that are not going to be behind glass or acrylic, this may be the
> > > best approach.  I'm currently making a 2 x 4 foot reproduction for a
> > local
> > > museum using this approach.
> > >
> > > Frankly, I need to be able to print on both types of paper.  They serve
> > > different uses and markets, but both can be archival and very good
> > looking.
> > > I don't expect to ever make silver prints again; my enlarger is now just
> > > taking up space in my darkroom.
> > >
> > > I don't have any interest in the current dye technology.  The latest
> > > swellable emulsion papers give the B&W dyes fair longevity, but still
> > not in
> > > the same class with the predominantly carbon inksets.  If one uses good
> > > cotton paper, the display life of dyes is very short.
> > >
> > > Hope this helps.  You might want to browse the information I have put on
> > > line concerning the MIS inksets I've been involved with.  See
> > > http://home1.gte.net/res09aij/index.htm
> > >
> > > Paul
> > > www.PaulRoark.com
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
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