Digital BW, The Print

I've been interested in trying the black-only method, but I can't seem to find a 
step-by-step workflow explanation.

Can anyone point me to a website that has the info, or, if you're doing it 
successfully, can you post your instructions here on the list?

I'm using an Epson 1160 with Epson drivers, btw.

Thanks,
Peter

Hello Peter,

>I've been interested in trying the black-only method, but I 
>can't seem to find a step-by-step workflow explanation.
> 
>...if you're doing it successfully, can you post your 
>instructions here on the list?
> 
> I'm using an Epson 1160 with Epson drivers, btw.

I am getting excellent results with BO printing.  I'm using an Epson
870.  This is a 6-ink printer with the 4 microliter droplet size.  I'm
not sure if the 1160 has this small droplet size or not - if not, that
may affect the quality.  Here's what I do:

1) Scan B&W negs with an Epson 1640SU flatbed at 1600 dpi (its highest
optical resolution), source set as Monochrome Neg, target set as B&W
Photo. 

2) Work in PhotoShop 7 as a gray scale image with color profile set as
Gray Gamma 2.2

3) Print using the Epson 870 Driver version 5.20
       Paper: Matte paper - Heavyweight
         Ink: black
  Color Ctrl: Gamma 2.2
  Print Qual: Photo - 1440 dpi

5) I use EAM as proofing paper and Photo Rag for final prints, with
same settings for both.  I find the prints to have slightly less
contrast than the on screen image, but not so much I can't intuitively
adjust to it.  It's pretty much WYSIWYG.

I'll be happy to answer any other questions.

Regards, - cj

Hey, thanks Clayton! I'll give it a try.

The 1160 also has 4-picoliter droplets, I think, so it should theoretically work 
as well as the 1160. I'll report my results here.

Peter


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Clayton Jones" <cj@c...> wrote:

> I am getting excellent results with BO printing.  I'm using an Epson
> 870.  This is a 6-ink printer with the 4 microliter droplet size.  I'm
> not sure if the 1160 has this small droplet size or not - if not, that
> may affect the quality.  Here's what I do:  . . .

I've tried a black only workflow on the 1160 with Gen4 black.  
Although the image is neutral, it appears grainier than VM on the 
1160.  This is undoubtedly due to the lack of 3 extra shades of grey 
in a black only workflow.

The only time I've been happy with the black only workflow was when I 
split a single 4000dpi image into 10 parts and printed each one at 
just over 100dpi on 13x19 paper, and then cut and paste together 
again.  I wanted to see what a giant print (36x54") of the image 
would look like.  Since you're viewing from much further away, the 
enhanced grain look didn't matter.

K2

Hi:

One thing that I do is work in 16 Bit (48 bit) color until I have my 
color correction perfect for a Color print. Then change to 16 bit 
mono and mainly work on the contrast. Then I change it back to 16 
(48 total) bit color. Then I use the 2880 setting on glossy paper 
for the HWM Epson paper, setting the ink color to black. While I 
have yet to try any of the quadtone blacks, this results in a very 
good tonal range black and white. You might try this even though you 
printer has a little less resolution.

Regards,

Jeff Lee

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "peter_in_seattle" 
<lists@g...> wrote:
> Hey, thanks Clayton! I'll give it a try.
> 
> The 1160 also has 4-picoliter droplets, I think, so it should 
theoretically work 
> as well as the 1160. I'll report my results here.
> 
> Peter
> 
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Clayton Jones" 
<cj@c...> wrote:
> > I am getting excellent results with BO printing.  I'm using an 
Epson
> > 870.  This is a 6-ink printer with the 4 microliter droplet 
size.  I'm
> > not sure if the 1160 has this small droplet size or not - if 
not, that
> > may affect the quality.  Here's what I do:  . . .