Digital BW, The Print

"Gary Wagner" <gcwagner@...> wrote:


> I would like to try the HP PK mix but am a little uncertain 
> on how to achieve the dilutions. I read the HPC6 article 
> and it says to use by volume 62% distilled water, 28% 
> glycerol and 9.7% Photo-Flo. I assume I will change
> all of these to mls and create a standard clear base 
> to use for all dilutions is this correct? 

Yes.  I'd also use the 1% Edwal wetting agent.  

> I then add an amount of HP PK for the 50% and lesser 
> amount for each other dilution. Does this mean I would 
> add 10ml of ink and 10ml of clear base to
> make 20ml for the 50% dilution? 

Yes.

By the way, some are starting to use a 30% - 9% HP mix in a cool-
neutral channel and then LK-LLK in the other, warm channel.  If you 
have a modern printer, this will probably work well and allow warm 
printing and easy profiling with both the Epson driver and QTR.  Then 
you can also use Glop in the Y position if you're doing glossy 
printing.  You'd have to change black inks to switch between glossy 
and matte.  

My use of the 4 HP PK dilutions is aimed at my old 7500 with its 
relatively huge droplets.  It needs the additional dilutions, but 
this restricts my tones and glossy printing options.  Since I won't 
be able to switch black inks, I'll at least have the 50% HP PK and be 
able to print a good glossy on Crane Silver Rag, which gets a very 
good dmax (2.4) with this 50% mix (other papers are down at about 
1.8).  My focus is neutral images on matte paper, so this glossy 
potential is a "just in case" solution that I don't recommend for 
modern printers or those who want to be able to print a wider range 
of tones on a wider range of papers.


> Also 4ml of ink and 16mls of clear base to make a 20% dilution?

Yes.

Good luck with the approach.  Let us know how it works out.

I'm still testing this approach.  I have a printer sitting idle that 
I won't test again until the first week of March.  So far, I've seen 
no problems with either the full strength or dilute HP pigments.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com