Digital BW, The Print

"ben" <benjschneider2@...> wrote:
>
> I am wondering what carbon based inks are available for printing on glossy stocks like Epson's Exhibition Glossy paper?  ...

The MIS K4 LLK, LK, PK, and various UT inks (e.g., UT7 C and LC) are 100% carbon and glossy compatible.  They are very warm on glossy paper, with a Lab B = 14 (plus or minus a little).  This puts them into what I consider a light sepia range.

The best glossy neutralized gray ink is HP's Z3100/3200 PK, LK ("gray"), & LLK ("light gray").  Since the HP inks are coated, the light ones can be user-diluted with the generic base <http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Ink-Mixing.pdf> and still be glossy compatible.  They can be diluted with MIS glop or a mix of 50% glop and C6 base, and the ink will then have less bronzing than the OEM mix.  Glop or a spray can, of course, reduce the bronzing.

In general, the MIS approach -- having the coating in the base and not on the particle -- appears to reduce bronzing, but it also results in a slightly less glossy appearance.  I like this, but it means the super-high gloss look can't really be achieved with the MIS inks without a post-printing spray.  

It also means that the MIS glossy dmax is a bit less than the coated PKs can achieve.  (Some say the super high dmax glossy PKs also have dye in them.  That could also be why the MIS carbon PK is a bit lower in dmax.  I don't know about that.)  At any rate, I use the HP PK for the glossy K even with the MIS LK when I want a sepia in my 1400.  The neutral HP PK does not significantly affect the sepia tone.  In my 7800, I'm going with MIS PK because I do want 100% carbon in that printer.

The warm MIS and neutral-cool HP inks can be in separate channels to make a variable tone inkset.  My 1400 is now set up with MIS LK and HP PK, allowing me to print from sepia to neutral-cool on glossy paper. 

The only 100% carbon print I've been able to make that is neutral required spraying Eboni, which had to be applied in a black only mode.  So, it was a bit rough and a hassle to make.  I don't recommend it.

Hope this helps.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com