Eboni black ink cartridge for the 2200: Questions
2003-12-16 by chipcarterdc@hotmail.com
After reading many recommendations on trying Black Only printing on the 2200 using the Eboni cartridge, I must say I'm impressed. I tried BO printing with the Epson black inks when I first got the 2200 and found the prints WAY to warm. BO looks worlds better with the Eboni cartridge -- not "neutral gray" in the same sense as prints using ImagePrint, but nowhere near as warm as the OEM Epson black ink. The slight warmth is actually quite pleasing depending on the image. And it looks wicked charp -- maybe that's just my imagination, but it could be the digital equivalent of grain in the traditional film world -- certain types of grain actually looks sharper (think of Tri-X in a high acutance developer like Rodinal). So, I'd recommend that people give the Eboni BO printing method a shot. Now to the questions: (1) How do you store the Eboni cart when it's not in the printer? I took it out and put it in a sandwich bag and came back later and saw quite a bit of ink had been discharged. I believe it's from the venting hole (if you're holding the cartridge in the position you would insert it in the printer, it's the hole at the top right of the cartridge I believe). I had set the cartidge on the desk standing up. Should I be taping over this hoel when it's not in the printer? (2) Has anyone tried regular (all seven inks) printing with the Eboni cartridge installed? In other words, can I just leave this in my printer for regular matte black printing using all inks? I wonder if this would work because, as noted above, this ink seems less warm than the Epson matte black, so you'd think that the balance (or something) would be thrown off when using it with the Epson inks. (3) I recall reading on this forum or perhaps on the MIS website that the Eboni black cartridge is meant only for matt papers. Has anyone tried it with a glossy paper and, if so, were there problems like the ink rubbing off? And are these problems lessened by using a coating or spray (I have Premier Art Print Shield and Lyson Print Guard sparys)? (4) Anyoneknow whether MIS will be making the Eboni ink in carts that will fit the forthcoming Epson 4000? I need to step up in printer size, but I can't afford to get a new printer and shell out another $1000 for ImagePrint for these larger printers. (I'm aware of QuadTone RIP, but I haven't been able to get it up and running properly yet. Given it's cost relative to ImagePrint though (free), it's probably worth investing more time in it once I get a larger printer). Thanks!