Digital BW, The Print

Tim,

MIS appears to have 3 different black inks.  The standard MIS color archival
set and the standard MIS quads use one that is very archival but not as deep
a black as, for example, Piezo black.

MIS sells a black that is, according to my tests, very similar (if not
identical) to Piezo black for the MIS VM variable-tone inkset and the FS
(Full Spectrum) ("Cone Clone" -- my name, not MIS's) inkset.

MIS also sells a black ink they call "Double Density" black.  MIS believes
it is a good black for the color archival inkset for those who want to get
deeper blacks with that inkset than the standard MIS archival black gives.
I assume MIS has a reason for recommending this black as opposed to the
VM/FS black, but I'm not aware of what it is.  I found that the DD black was
not consistent with the variable-tone curves, so I had no interest in it.

If you are not worried about preserving profiles, I see no reason why you
couldn't use any black you like.  I have not seen any incompatibilities
among the black inks and othe MIS pigments.  My personal favorite is the
VM/FS black.  Like Piezo black, it seems to give the best combination of
deep blacks and fade resistance.

Paul



>>I am ordering the MIS Archival color inks as soon as they get them in
cartridges, which, according to MIS will be in 2 weeks. Which black
should I order with them? All the talk about blacks has me confused.
I print duotone b/w images which allows me to use color inks and
helps me avoid all the problems with hextones. Plus, I prefer the
selenium look to my duotones. I print to a 1280 and use Torchon and
soon eclipse Satine as soon as it arrives.
I don't have any profiles other than the ones that came with the
printer, do I need profiles if I'm printing duotones? Thank you for
your continued help, I really appreciate it.<<