Digital BW, The Print

Thanks Paul. Actually I was reading your writing about Carbon-6 just a 
few minutes ago and starting realize my example of mix might be too dark.

So the better mixes can be:
3 shades: 100% PK, 33% PK 10% PK
4 shades: 100% PK, 33% PK, 10% PK, 3.3% PK
6 shades: 100% PK, 33% PK, 16.7% PK, 8.3% PK, 4.2% PK, 2.1%PK

Thanks,
- Philip


pr_roark wrote:
>
> Philip,
>
> > I am planing to mix multiple shades of b&w inks from Photo Black (PK)
> > for printing on glossy paper. I have a few questions:
> >
> > Is photo black a result of mixed color inks?
>
> MIS PK that is 100% carbon pigment in most of it's sets. Those that
> are blended with color pigments generally are called "PKN" or the like.
>
> > What is a good ink base
> > formula for mixing with photo black - I wish there is a version of
> > colorless Windex :).
>
> MIS Glop is the base I recommend for their glossy inks.
>
> >
> > What is a good ratio of ink base vs PK ink?
>
> The standard dilution for PK to LK, and LK to LLK is 30% darker ink,
> 70% clear base. I've used ratios of from 1:1 to 1:3 with the Epson
> driver crossovers and had them work fine.
>
> > For example,
> > 3 shades: 100% PK, 50% PK, 12.5% PK
> > 4 shades: 100% PK, 50% PK, 25% PK, 12.5% PK
> > 6 shades: 100%PK, 75% PK, 50% PK, 25% PK, 12.5% PK, 6.25% PK
> > 8 shades: Any benefits for that many shades?
>
> The inksets with many shades often use one that is close to 2% black,
> 98% clear base. You'd be surprised at how dilute you can go. You're
> examples are rather dark in comparison. On the other hand, the
> standard UT-C (darkest dilute carbon ink) is denser than the 30% PK
> because it was based on the higher load MK, not the PK, since the early
> focus was on matte papers.
>
> Good luck with the mixing.
>
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com
>
>