Digital BW, The Print

Charles wrote:

>One question - you mentioned "depending on which black is used" as one
>concern about how well the inks will print. Have you run any tests with
>using the wrong black for the chosen paper? How badly does the
>matte black work on gloss papers, and vice versa?

Yes, I've printed with the matte black on RC papers.  They all show
"dusting" so some extent.  That is, the midtones will be glossy and the
black will be dull matte -- and it'll rub off easily.  Cheap Epson Photo
Paper may be about the best in this respect of the RC papers I used.  Ilford
would be second best in the dusting characteristics.  Being that it is such
a nice product, I'd be included to use the Ilford and just spray it with a
fixative after printing.

> I don't really know if it would be possible for me to switch
>between the two blacks at all easily when using my CIS system,
>and I'd like to be able to print on both gloss and matte stocks
>if possible. (Though, of course, I'll sacrifice that
>ability if necessary and just do gloss prints if I have to.)

I think that a CIS for only the color inks and then separate black carts
that can be easily popped in and out as needed makes some sense. Vacuum
filling a black cart is rather easy.  It's the color carts that are a
hassle, in my view.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com

Paul;

Just how well does this new inkset perform on glossy or semi gloss 
paper? Is there any bronzing or strangeness that occurs when the prints 
are viewed at off angle such as the problems reported with the 2200 OEM 
inkset. My dream is to able to make warm-tone problem free prints on 
Epson semi-gloss or Kodak Satin with this new inkset with out having to 
spray :)

-Jeff

Jeff,

>Just how well does this new inkset perform on glossy or semi gloss
>paper? Is there any bronzing or strangeness that occurs when the prints
>are viewed at off angle such as the problems reported with the 2200 OEM
>inkset. My dream is to able to make warm-tone problem free prints on
>Epson semi-gloss or Kodak Satin with this new inkset with out having to
>spray :)

I don't have a 2200, so it's hard for me to compare the extent of bronzing.
However, when I was experimenting with the Epson Archival pigments as
components of a new VM inkset, I did notice considerable bronzing.

With the VM 4.3 mix (including the 4.3.5 toner), which is 100% "MIS 7600
Archival" (UC clone) inks, when I hold a Premium Luster print at an obtuse
angle I can see some bronzing, but much less than I saw when the Epson
coated pigments were being used.  On some other papers, specifically the
Ilford RC papers, I see virtually no bronze reflection at all with the VM
4.3 mix.

So, I'd guess that, with proper paper selection, you'll be able to get
excellent warm RC prints without any spraying.

By the way, the MIS 7600 Photo black is very close to the Epson UC Photo
black.  The Epson may be just a hair darker, but it's very close.  The Epson
Archival black is slightly darker than either the MIS or Epson Photo Blacks.
The Archival black is very fade resistant at the 100% patch, but shows more
fading at the 50% patch.  So, the Epson Archival black is good, but not as
lightfast as the newer MIS and Epson Photo blacks.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com