Digital BW, The Print

> David Kachel wrote:
> 
> > Of the existing 100% carbon sepia ink sets available, which is the  
> > most sepia toned?


C D Tobie wrote:

> 
> I would have to say none... in that 100 percent carbon ink 
> does not really run to a sepia tone, just a carbon tone, 
> which is much subtler.
> 

I agree with C D Tobie.  The carbon warm for either MIS glossy/matte carbon (LK, and as used in the variable tone inksets) or Cone carbon sepia reach about Lab B=8 on matte paper.  On glossy paper you can hit about Lab B=12 with the MIS carbon.  The true old type sepias I measured and replicated with the UT2/7 sepia toner were more like Lab B=20+.

The UT2/7 sepia toner, however, is very much not a 100% carbon ink.  It has lots of color in it, and fades accordingly.  The relatively fast fade is why I dropped the toner from inksets after UT7.

Since a true sepia color with inkjets appears to require significant amounts of color inks, I consider them best done with a K3 or the like inkset.  If I were to mix one today for my own uses, I'd probably try using HP or Epson color pigments. It would be interesting to get the Lab A and B coordinates for the HP and Epson orange or red pigments.  They might be useful for use in reaching a sepia tone.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com