Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Clayton Jones" <cj@c...> wrote:
>
> Hello Jon,
> 
> It's hardly a unique concept (meaning K7 is neither the first nor the
> only system to use it).  People printing with the Black Only method
> have been using and discussing this multi-tone approach for years. 
> However we never patented it so you are welcome to use it without
> paying us any royalties :)  


Clayton,

Multi-toning was not the unique concept I was trying to communicate. Multi-toning is old 
as the hills. Maybe older! I agree to that. My first quad systems used multi-toning in both 
the early and mid 1990s.  Achromatic is the unique concept. Even EPSON 'black ink only' is 
not achromatic. Having seven achromatic ink dilutions combines color toning with higher 
fidelity - and that is the concept behind K7. If you're happy with black ink only K7 will be 
overkill to you. And no royalties due either of us!  ;^)

> I'm curious as to how the K7 inks are neutralized (because pure carbon
> by itself on PR is moderately warm).  Did you use some cool toner? 
> Many thanks.

Carbon is usually thought of as a warm only grade pigment. Carbon Sepia PiezoTone is an 
example of a pure carbon ink without color toners and it is very warm. But its not that 
unusual in other industries to see carbon used for its cool properties. How carbon will 
eventually appear to the eye is connected to how the carbon is treated for various 
purposes. Changing the size and shape of an individual pigment particle for example.... 
But there are also different grades of carbon pigment - so combine just these two 'how 
tos' and you may have an idea of the rich possibilities of treating carbon. Nano-technology 
combined with carbon allows it. But still it was very very difficult because the seven 
dilutions required seven distinct formulations, instead of making some mother conc and 
then diluting the mother conc. Hope that answers your curiosity.

best regards,

Jon