Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "pr_roark" 
<pr_roark@...> wrote:
 
> 
> I just don't think the 1800 is worth 
> the effort.  The 1400 is so good with MIS ink -- no banding or 
> clogging with at least mine -- that I have mothballed the 1800.  
> 
I should probably abandon the 1800 and get a 1400. I am a bit 
obstinate though and like to bang on with these things until all hope 
is lost. It is often said the last thing to be abandoned is hope. 
Perhaps in this instance I should give premature abandonment a try.  



 
> This RGB, Epson driver approach probably results in a mostly-color-
> inks print image, which would not be something I'd be comfortable 
> with for long term stability.
> 
You are right Paul, and I am not comfortable with it either. It is 
not my end point. Rather where I have currently got to in the journey.


> I assume people have tried to do a QTR approach with just the MK, 
> toned with C & M to reach neutral. This would be more stable, but 
I'm 
> not sure if the 1800 can do so smoothly.  I frankly doubt it.
>
Actually I am finding PK to be quite smooth on my particular printer. 
I am currently trialling this approach. It is basically the same as I 
have used on the 2200 with QTR and OEM inks but without the LK. I am 
using the PK4 MIS ink. Did I read you saying somewhere that this is a 
pure carbon ink? I am thinking along the lines of dilutions of PK 
with C & M (maybe diluted) used to cool it all down.

 
 
> Getting the color inks to a minimum is a worthy cause.  If you're 
> happy with what you're seeing and not concerned with long term 
tonal 
> stability, there may be no reason to do any more.
> 
> 
> For those who do want a more carbon rich print, the PK warmth is 
> surely a pain.  One can spray an Eboni-on-glossy paper print and 
> achieve neutrality, but spraying is a pain also.

That is surely an option. I have tried a second pass to overcoat 
Eboni with GLOP but the results where disappointing - both in terms 
of dmax and GD. I have seen other second-pass type clear coatings 
that I will look at. I need to try the spray types too.


> 
> That is what makes the HP grays interesting.  They may have lots of 
> color in them also, but the Wilhelm tests of HP colors are 
> impressive.  The net result may be the most stable neutral glossy 
> approach.  (It's also a more known pigment -- supported by tests.)  
> It dilutes in the generic materials, but it too will band in the 
> 1800.  So, once again, I run into that 1800 issues.  I may pull the 
> 2200 into action for testing an HP dilution approach.  Achieving 
this 
> for large format is my ultimate goal anyway, so messing with the 
1.5 
> pl 1800 is just not a very suitable platform for me.

The HP grey with a second pass of MIS GLOP may be interesting (might 
be a good use for the R1800) I had a B9180 but the GD in BW (glossy) 
mode was pretty bad. That ink needs GLOP which of course the larger 
HP machines have. Maybe I should have kept the B9180 and kept the 
R1800 loaded with MIS GlOP for 2nd pass overcoating!

As always, thanks for your very helpful comments and guidance in 
these matters.

Alistair Owens