Digital BW, The Print

John,

> I agree that having more jets firing makes for smoother output.  
>What would you think of the following inkset to exploit that 
>characteristic?
> 
> All 7 slots of the 2200 are used.  Blend FS and FSN approximately 50% each
> with some adjustment for tone based on paper white.
> Eboni
> UT-FS-C and UT-FSN-C
> UT-FS-M and UT-FSN-M
> UT-FS-Y and UT-FSN-Y
> 
> My recent work creating curves for UT-7 + UT-FS-Y on Kirkland, has
> resulted
> in very smooth ramps and a very consistent dither pattern throughout the
> range, similar to what you get with the EZ/Epson approach.  This only
> happened after very critical evaluation (i1 and eye-ball) and fine
> adjustment of the curves.  What I'm after is basically a monotone inkset
> that is slightly warm, and has as many jets firing as possible for
> smoothness.  

UT-FSN is 50% FSN and 50% carbon.  So, the range you'll have with this setup
is neutral/cool (depending on paper), to medium warm.  I personally like to
occasionally print pure carbon warm (about half way to sepia and much more
lightfast), so I have FSN and carbon in my 7500 and lean toward that
combination.  However, your selection would have less color contrast and
thus be slightly smoother.

I don't like the Y and M density spread.  They are too close; C & M are too
far apart.  The standard "light" UT2, UT7, R200 EZ (just by coincidence
Epson) density differential that optimizes the typical Epson driver is
darker than the old M density.  

There is no FS in that density, but since FS is 50% carbon (UT2 LM or UT7
LC) and 50% FSN of the same density (7500 FSN+ LC [MIS may call this UT7500
LC, and the mix is on my 7500 Readme file] or R200 EZ-N LC or LM [out soon])
you can easily make an FS of the standard "Epson Light" density (or middle
gray for those of us who use FS-Y).

So, with the caveat that I'd use a different middle dray density, the idea
seems like a good one for the medium warm to neutral range.

Good luck with it.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com