Digital BW, The Print

I just noticed that Epson has its WorkForce 1100 priced at $129.99 now.  This is the least expensive 13" printer.  I use it as my default office printer and also have ported a number of inksets to it -- now the Noritsu dyes.

The original B&W Quad printers (like the old Epson 1160) did a job and so does this one, with costs and easy workflows that are also a nice benefit.

To distinguish what I have been doing from the older MIS "EZ" workflow, I use the term "K2-Quad" to describe an inkset that has 4 channels of black/gray ink and 2 different densities -- the K and LK.  Particularly with a workflow that starts the inks sequentially, the prints are smooth enough that only major pixel peepers will see that there is no LLK.  (An LLK can easily be added, but it does not fall under this "K2-Quad" nomenclature.  See, for example, http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/1100-HpGO.pdf)  

I make and provide the "sequential" curves for a number of these  inksets.  These are flexible enough that they usually work well with the entire class of papers -- matte or glossy -- with a simple linearization with QTR's Create ICC-RGB.  This makes for a "color managed" workflow that should match the print to the monitor's relative densities with no additional work. So, new papers can be profiles easily without the need for any new PS or QTR curves - just linearize.  This usually does not work with fully partitioned inksets and curves. 


I went to the LK density from the old MIS "EZ" density because it worked better in the 1100 and WF30, and LK inks are readily available from many sources, and will continue to be for a long time.  So, the same basic workflow is there for MIS UT14 C & LC, HP Z3100 PK & Gray  MIS PK & KL (100% carbon sepia tone glossies) and any other where there is a PK and LK.  See http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/1100.pdf for more on these inksets.  

Eboni can be loaded as either a K2-Quad or a fully partitioned Eboni-4 setup.   (See http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/1100-Eb4.pdf for the paritioned Eb4 setup.)

With Eboni-4 and Epson Hot Press natural paper, the prints exhibit a very low rise in Lab B for a carbon inkset (just under 1.5 units).  (Only the old 7500 was lower.)  This is due to the 3 pl drop of the 1100.  The 1400 with its 1.5 pl drop is slightly warmer.  In short, the 1100 can make the most neutral 100% carbon print that can be made with modern printers. 

In short, this is a good deal.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com