Digital BW, The Print

Michael wrote:
...

> I have an Epson 7880, two 7600's,...

> they draw more attention from the wife
> than is healthy. ...

> I am going to have to use small, inconspicous machines
> from here on out (except for a 9600 ...

I keep looking for an inconspicuous 9600 that I can convince my wife
matches the couch.  No luck so far.

> > Glop does not appear to be compatible with Eboni-6. I'll
> > be curious if Carbon-6 does better.
>
> Hmmm, I'll give it a try. Doesn't sound that promising. Oh well.

Yesterday I put prints of the same image that were on Crane Silver Rag
(dmax 3) and some matte papers (dmax 1.62-1.72) in mylar sleeves to see
how much difference the huge dmax really makes.  The image was my Zion
Narrows (http://www.paulroark.com/Zion-Narrows.html
<http://www.paulroark.com/Zion-Narrows.html> ) that is very dependent on
the black end of the scale.  The bottom line was that the huge dmax is
almost irrelevant.  The differences among the prints are almost nil. 
Most of the time the H. Photo Rag wins the contest.  The point is that I
have yet to be convinced these new glossy papers are worth the effort
we've put into them.  I know those in the service bureau business will
have to respond to the customer demand, but at least for those of use
whose target is display behind glass, I think matte paper is still the
best way to go.


> What do you think about mixing up an inkset like the Carbon 6, but
> using the PKN ink - with blue pigment - as the base for all 6 inks?

The last of this type of inkset I made was the MIS UT-RC for the 260. 
Carl and I are using some of those inks in 1800 experiments (where there
is some microbanding under a loupe).  These RC PKs dilute with MIS glop
very well.  (The original PKN was never intended for dilution and is too
green.)

However,  glossy inks in large format is just not an area I'm interested
in.  My goals include eliminating color inks totally from all my display
print production.  I also will never put a blended inkset into a large
format printer due to the tonal instability I've experience.  So, while
the approach you're suggesting will work fine for those who want glossy
prints with blended inks, it's not where I think fine art ought to be
headed, and I'm limiting the time I put into that direction.

The big boys can have glossy printing, and I think they will.  I just
want to make sure there are better products out there for the B&W
purists, and there are.

Paul

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








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