Digital BW, The Print

Here is a hypothetical solution, but I am not sure it can be done.

The FS-N (and regular FS) inks can be used with the 1280 (other 6 
color printers?) with the Epson driver provided the inks are loaded 
as follows: C=Dark, PC=Medium, M=Dark, PM=Medium, Y=Light, and 
K=Black. I use a global RGB curve to get a good ramp. This produces 
smooth gradients, and excellent prints. The smoothness is perhaps 
better than 95% of the level achieved with Piezo driver - totally 
arbitrary visual judgement. But it is sufficiently good for most 
users - certainly for me (actually it prints fantastic). So can this 
inkset, printer combo be made WYSIWYP? Here is how (theoretically):

(1) Build a custom profile first using OEM inks.
(2) Switch to FS inks
(3) Perfect the ramp appearance (any method) with a global RGB curve, 
making sure the custome profile is used in printing.
(4) Switch back to OEM inks
(5) Open profile making target image, and load the INVERSE of the 
global RGB curve created in step (3)
(6) Print target with the orignally made profile
(7) Make new profile with this messed up target print
(8) Use this profile for b/w prints for the inkset/paper combo.

Theoretically, if step (5) was omitted, then the printed target in 
(7) will be perfect. But because (5) introduces anomalies in the 
target print, the profile making software will try to correct this. 
Essentially, what we are doing mathematically is (fx)+(-fx)=0.

This approach does not really help anyone other than the owner of the 
profile (licensing laws, etc), but a commercial entity may be able to 
get a licence to create and sell such generic profiles with their 
inks. It would certainly make life a lot easier for people who get 
into this thinking making good b/w prints is as easy is getting a 
printer and inks.

I would gladly offer my 1280 as a guinnie pig if there is any 
interest.

Best wishes.

Shilesh