Digital BW, The Print

With the 220, QTR, Eboni, and Premier Art Matte BW I hit 1.7 with both 1440
and 2880.  The 1440 has lines in it and takes 100% load.  The 2880 is smooth
and hits the dmax before the 100% load.  If you're using 1440, try 2880 and
print a ramp to see where your dmax is.

 

My experience with modern printers is that under-printing only increases
dmax where the  matte black ink is not covering properly.  If the MK is
being properly applied, under-printing always decreases dmax.  QTR (actually
Gimp print, I assume) at 1440 may be one of those situations where the ink
is simply not being properly applied in many if not most situations.  My
solution is to avoid 1440 with QTR (or other Gimp print driver) and avoid
under-printing.

 

If the Cone black ink can't hit the same dmax as the Eboni, why use it?
Eboni is almost certainly compatible with the rest of the Cone inkset and a
lot cheaper.

 

Paul

www.PaulRoark.com <http://www.paulroark.com/>  

 

 

  _____  

From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
david627890
Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2007 10:02 AM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Digital BW] Improving Dmax of NK7 inks

 

I have used the Cone NK7 inks in an R800 now for some time and haven't 
felt a lack of dmax in my prints except when compared side by side with 
a similar print using MIS Eboni on the same (matt) paper. The 
smoothness of this inkset has more than made up for this for most 
images though. Now, however, I would like to try to improve the dmax 
if that is possible. I use QTR for this printer/inks with the standard 
Cone curves and generally use either Bradford Rag or HM Photorag papers.

Does anyone have any ideas about the best way to do this? I have seen 
comments about "underprinting" on the site. Presumably this means 
laying down two inks at the same time on the paper to increase the 
density? If so is this a sensible approach to take using say the black 
and the next darkest tone? Would the paper take the additional ink 
load? Clearly I would have to make my own curves and set the ink 
limits carefully.

Thanks for any thoughts you might have.

David Whistance 

 



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