Digital BW, The Print

Eric, first of all I agree with David that the HP carbon inks are not
neutral, nor uniform down the scale. On the other hand, I don't find
that in and of itself a problem if I happen to love the way it looks.
I also agree calling them a true qaud, in MK use, a stretch as the
densities are not ideal, and a true quad with desnties designed for
that purpose is smoother. I think the B&W HP output is pleasing
though, more from the dither characteristcs than the use of multiple
Ks. It's PK mono output is is somewhat pleasing as well.

That it can make nice prints seems unrelated to the qualities they
market <G>.

But more to the point, I agree with what you have said. 

I have a feeling the inkset could be exploited even further by a
mono-minded techie with a RIP, even though these color drivers are
partitioning these mulitple Ks, someone with an eye for the finer
points of putting down multiple gray inks might get something even
more promising from them.
I hear rumors that Bowhaus is doing promising things with the Canon
inks and IJC.
Tyler

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Chan"
<madmanchan2000@...> wrote:
>
> Granted the HP solution will fade, of course, but again, the reason I
> brought it up is because the WIR tests are indicating an improvement
> in longevity compared to the K3 solution. Whether or not this is due
> to the HP gray-only solution I don't know, nor am I in a position to
> verify.
> 
> Basically, what I'm saying is this:
> 
> - The HP Z driver appears to offer at least the functionality of the
> Epson K3 ABW driver, which is what Clayton is using now (and seems to
> like). Not the ultimate control of a RIP, but not bad. I figure if the
> ABW driver is good enough for Clayton, the HP Z B&W driver might be
> good enough, too.
> 
> - The HP Z B&W prints' longevity > K3 ABW prints' longevity (according
> to WIR, by a noticeable margin)
> 
> - The HP Z B&W prints appear to have zero to minimal color inks mixed
> in. Regardless of whether one believes this to be true, the longevity
> test still remain.
> 
> (BTW, I use an Epson 3800 myself and love the results, but am bringing
> up the Z solution because, aside from the cost, it appears to bring
> together the qualities that Clayton claims he wants.)
> 
> Eric
>