Digital BW, The Print

hello everybody at DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint,

this is Thilo from germany. I'm using black MIS ebony ink from inksupply, the one that prints well with epsons R1800, as described so well and good by Paul Roark ("black only printing"). Since a few weeks i've problems with the DMax of my prints. I just cant't reach the DMax that i reached a few weeks month ago. Black is simply no longer black - it ist more grey-ish. The contrast is no longer as high as before, too. I have this problem with both of my R1800 printers.

The sticker on my ink-bottle bottle with the black ink inside reads something like "use befor 5/3/2011" - today is mid of july, 2012. Perhaps the ink has begun to seperate over time and gave "off color" since it has lost the ability to maintain composition? 

In this case everything is alright with my setup (R1800, Quad Tone Rip, the same paper als always), just the particles of the "old" ink have "settled down"? In this case: Will i have to order new ink from inksupply, or can i shake/stir the old bottle? During the live chat support i got this answer:

"A couple of things can happen, mainly depending on how it's handled and storage conditions. First, bacteria can be introduced to the ink when it is opened. Initially this isn't a problem as the ink has a chemical component added to stop the bacteria from growing. Over time however the bacteria can begin to thrive and form algea on the walls of the bottle which can put particles into the ink itself. Second, the ink can begin to seperate over time and will give "off color" since it has lost the ability to maintain composition."

Hope to get some help from your experience - best, Thilo

Definitely try agitating the ink.  Ideally, agitate the ink bottle well the day before filling carts.  This way if there are any large particles, they will settle out over night.  I often just agitate and fill.  All pigments settle.  

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com 

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "thilo838" <Thilo_Resenhoeft@...> wrote:

>
> hello everybody at DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint,
> 
> this is Thilo from germany. I'm using black MIS ebony ink from inksupply, the one that prints well with epsons R1800, as described so well and good by Paul Roark ("black only printing"). Since a few weeks i've problems with the DMax of my prints. I just cant't reach the DMax that i reached a few weeks month ago. Black is simply no longer black - it ist more grey-ish. The contrast is no longer as high as before, too. I have this problem with both of my R1800 printers.
> 
> The sticker on my ink-bottle bottle with the black ink inside reads something like "use befor 5/3/2011" - today is mid of july, 2012. Perhaps the ink has begun to seperate over time and gave "off color" since it has lost the ability to maintain composition? 
> 
> In this case everything is alright with my setup (R1800, Quad Tone Rip, the same paper als always), just the particles of the "old" ink have "settled down"? In this case: Will i have to order new ink from inksupply, or can i shake/stir the old bottle? During the live chat support i got this answer:
> 
> "A couple of things can happen, mainly depending on how it's handled and storage conditions. First, bacteria can be introduced to the ink when it is opened. Initially this isn't a problem as the ink has a chemical component added to stop the bacteria from growing. Over time however the bacteria can begin to thrive and form algea on the walls of the bottle which can put particles into the ink itself. Second, the ink can begin to seperate over time and will give "off color" since it has lost the ability to maintain composition."
> 
> Hope to get some help from your experience - best, Thilo
>