Digital BW, The Print

Hi Phil,

> I am planning to move over to using the K4 Black inks as follows. 
> I have a question about the use of Cyan and Magenta.

>Inks used

>Eboni
>PKN
>LK
>LLK
>LLLK...LLK 1:1 with clear stock

If you're using a modern printer, the LLLK is not needed.  I tried a 2200
with and without the LLLK, and the mix that did not have it was actually
smoother (not sure why).

>Light Cyan Mix
>Light Magenta Mix

>My question on the Light Cyan and Light Magenta. Is there 
>any reason why I should use clear stock vs using a light 
>grey to dilute the Light Cyan and Light magenta.

See page 4 of http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/4K+.pdf  If you're using a
large format printer or CFS, I don't think it's worth fighting the tone
shift problems.

If you're not using one of these, such that the carts get constant
agitation, then the light grey would reduce the color contrast between the
dots and gray inks.  However, on the other side of the coin, I've found it
easier to profile inksets where the grays and colors were separated.  With
LM and LLC one can essentially change the tones with very little impact on
the density.

>My aim is a relatively neutral ink set that can be manipulated 
>to stay more or less neutral on a variety of papers via the 
>profile and rip.

>Bob at MIS said I should use just the straight colors diluted 
>in the clear stock...but I am not clear why.

Hid reasoning is probably based on my findings, noted above.

I do not recommend the MIS clear stock.  It bronzes badly on glossy paper.
Use their Glop for a base.

>... My perception here is that if I use too strong colors...
> it is harder to get just subtle tone shifts
> without having to severally limit the ink limit... 
>Seems like a mix of light black and color would accomplish 
>the same thing with an added
>advantage of adding one more channel of grey tone.

What I did that was very easy is use LM as is and then just dilute LC 1:1
with Glop.  Controlling the tones is very easy with that setup.

>My ideal would be smooth as possible neutral...so the more 
>shades of grey the better, right?

Maybe not.  See my note above.  Also, it turned out EZ ink was smoother than
the lighter inks in the 2400 setup.  I'm not sure why, but papers get
blotchy with too much water.  It may be that the very light inks are causing
this.

>Not wanting to waste any inks just experimenting...
> hence my question.  Measure twice..mix once????

Another reason I like the stock inks with at most the 1:1 LC is that it's
very easy to mix.

Good luck with the project.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com