9800 Eboni Carbon Variable Tone
2015-12-13 by roark.paul@...
My latest project is setting up a 9800 with an Eboni variable tone inkset. The PDF is here:
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/9800-Eboni-Variable-Tone.pdf
This is about the same as the 7800 inkset version, but has my latest conclusions regarding these inks. These include, first, abandoning the 2% Eboni dilution (unnecessarily dilute for modern printers, more water/chemicals on the paper is not a good thing, and it might have stability/pH issues with the new Eboni v. 1.1 at least on the 1400 family; it's worked fine on the 7800). The second change is that I'll use the denser version of the Canon Lucia based toner -- the same formula used for the 3880 (http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/3880-Eboni-Variable-Tone.pdf at page 3).
Unlike the 3880, the 9800 will have two MK positions -- K and Y. This is needed for the best Arches watercolor printing. The light blue toner will be in the LLK position. This makes control via the Epson driver and PS curves much more problematic. However, I've made curves for "neutral" (actually delta Lab B = 1) and warm (delta Lab B just under 5) for Premier Art Smooth Hot Press 325. Other papers will probably have a larger delta B -- that is, they will be a bit warmer. The same curves should work well enough with most papers to bring them within range of QTR's Create ICC-RGB.
As usual, my profiles will be posted in a Zip file linked to the PDF.
The primary targets of the setup are canvas and the larger Arches sizes. Museums, among a few potential clients, like large prints, and I think canvas might work for them. The canvas products I'll target include the Epson Exhibition Canvas Matte, Premier Art Generations Matte Canvas, and Red River's matte canvas. Each of these is best at one of the criteria I use to judge substrates.
One of my artist/printer clients is interested in the 25x40 inch Arches Cold Press sheets. So, that is the main Arches target. Having wrecked one head on a roll of Arches, I doubt I'll bother with the large rolls. At least the one I tried was impossible to get flat enough. The 44" 140 Lb.might be worth a try if a major purchaser pays enough to more than offset the cost of a new head -- as happened with the previous Arches roll - head replacement experience.
Although most individual photographers will have no use or room for a printer this large, if I were setting up my 7800 again, I'd use this ink arrangement, not the one in my 7800 PDF. If I wanted to print Arches on a 3880, I would also use this ink arrangement as opposed to the one in the 3880 PDF. But, this arrangement is going to be much more dependent on QTR or other rip.
(Note that QTR works with Windows 10 -- just an annoying glitch in the quad file saving routine. Click on "File>Open" after saving a curve from the Curve Creator and the system will stabilize. Also close and re-open the program after using the Curve Creator to clear the system if multiple profiles have been made & saved. The quad file saving routine glitch is leaving artifacts that eventually slow the system.)
As to canvas, I confess I've never seen a B&W canvas that I thought was very good. So, that will be the main challenge here. The local museum wanting a show a large canvas prints is my incentive here.
It looks like Breathing Color has some user-friendly stretcher bar systems. I have not gotten that far, however.
Coating is another issue. I will probably depend on my usual Lascaux Fixativ and avoid the heavy water-based coatings that turn the matte canvas into a glossy product. I don't have and won't build a spray booth; the roller system leaves too many visible artifacts in my plain dark skies; and I like the matte finish. The prints will not be waterproof, but if a customer wants more they'll have to hire someone to coat the print or use acrylic. I've found the rub off issue sufficiently under control with the Lascaux. I note that Epson is claiming its glossy Exhibition Canvas does not need coating, and it's probably just a prone to damage by water as the matte canvas. The local Samy's does most of the print/copy work for local artists and uses Print Shield solvent spray, not the heavier water based products. So, I don't feel I'm too far off the norm here.
Paul