Digital BW, The Print

Hello Joanne,

>I can see there's been much discussion about printing b&w on glossy 
>media while I've been away. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if anyone 
>has answered my question. Yes,I could purchase a 2400 printer, but 
>until I do, I'm stuck with this 2200 using QTR or Epson drivers. I'm 
>just looking for the best possible solution. Will the UT7 inks give 
>me reduced bronzing? Must I also use a GLOP? I'd like to learn more 
>about this since printing on glossy or semi glossy media is the 
>industry standard for what I do. Finding a solution is becoming 
>quite complex and I'm starting to feel like a really dumb broad, so 
>please be patient with me.

I can't answer your question because I only print matte, but maybe I
can offer some perspective as an interested observer.  From
discussions on this forum over the past 2+ years since the 2200
appeared, it seems that glossy printing has never become perfectly
satisfactory.  All sorts of things have been tried including glop and
various sprays, with various inks from UC to UT7 to custom mixtures,
and various softwares from Epson to QTR/IP/IJC, etc., in every
possible combination.

My impression is that the latest MIS ink with the new base is about
as good as it has ever been.  But my sense from reading the posts is
that it's still not perfectly satisfactory (and if I'm wrong on any of
this I hope other folks will jump in here and maybe you'll get the
info you need).  My sense is that the search continues, and people try
one thing and aren't fully satisfied and then try something else.  It
seems endless, with regular discussions of the merits/demerits of
various ink/paper/spray/RIP/curve/workflow combinations.

Out of the fog of battle emerges the 2400 (and other K3 printers),
which apparently the glossy folks are very happy about.  From what I
understand, it produces very fine glossy prints without bronzing,
gloss differential and metamerism, and excellent dmax and smoothness,
with complete tone control and without requiring a RIP (again, if I'm
wrong someone jump in here).

If the above is true, then it seems that it comes down to whether your
personal techno-fiddling patience threshold allows you to stick with
the 2200 and duke it out, or whether you're willing to spend the money
to get a 2400 and avoid all the hassles and save time.  Some people
don't mind tinkering and experimenting (some even love it), and others
have no patience for it and just want to do the photography.

What is your time worth?  Will the time you spend experimenting with
the 2200 searching for a satisfactory solution (and the ink/paper cost
of the same) outweigh the cost buying a 2400 and the time/effort of
selling the 2200?  

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Clayton


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