Digital BW, The Print

>...
>What are the options for 3rd party pigment inks, etc. for 
> doing black and white?

In my 7600 I used MIS UT7.  See
http://home1.gte.net/res09aij/UT7-7600-Readme.htm  Although I made a number
of PS curves to control the inks with the Epson driver, I switched to a rip
(IJC) to get a better dmax with matte papers.  The newer UT-3D inkset would
also be an option, but I have no curves that would be appropriate for the
9600.  See http://home1.gte.net/res09aij/UT-3D_Readme.pdf 

I'm currently considering modifying my recommendations for large format
printers.  My 7500 is now being used as a test bed for a non-blended inkset
approach.  The primary issue I'm concerned with is tone shifts in large
format printers if they are left un-used for more than a week.  My
hypothesis is that the blended B&W inks are the problem.  (I'm only familiar
with MIS pigments here.)  It appears the pigments separate somewhat in the
tubing between the carts and the heads.  (The problem does not affect
desktop 13" printers.)  I'll have my first look at the non-blended stability
tomorrow, but it may take a few more weeks to be sure if the non-blended ink
approach is, indeed, better.

A secondary issue I'm interested in is using all or nearly all off-the-shelf
inks that are available from multiple sources. 

The non-blended ink approach I have in the 7500 uses 4 carbon inks: MK (MIS
Eboni), PK (MIS now, might be Epson PK in the future), MIS LK, and MIS LLK.
For controlling the tone of the B&W print, I've loaded MIS LC diluted 1:1
(the 9600 could probably use un-diluted LC, but the cyan pigments, even LC
at 50%, set the limit in smoothness) and Epson LM (may be Epson Archival LM
in the future -- depends of fade testing).  If this were a 9600, I'd
probably have R800 Red in the 7th spot.

This approach is not quite as smooth in the highlights as my previous
blended, dedicated B&W inksets, but overall it is as smooth.  If the setup
is more stable with respect to tones, that will determine which direction I
go.  The 7500, of course, has a large, non-variable dot, so it's in a
different league than the k2 printers.  The 7500 with this approach is fine
for the display prints I use it for.  A good k2 printer would be smooth
enough even for small prints.

In terms of profiling, bronzing, gloss differential, printing on matte and
glossy, this approach is as good as any I've seen or used.  A rip is needed.
I'm using IJC, but I'm sure QTR or others would work fine.

I'll keep the forum posted on my experience with this non-blended, "4K+"
approach.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com