Digital BW, The Print

In a message dated 1/31/2004 10:19:53 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
patrick@... writes:

> Hello Everyone,
> 
> I have an Epson 9500 and I am looking for advice on switching to 
> hextone inks. I've been working with the standard MIS inks on my old 
> 1200 for a few years, never with quite the results I had been hoping 
> for. So I'm understandably hesitant about committing my 9500 in this 
> way. Any recommendations out there would be greatly appreciated. I am 
> running a Mac (1.8 gamma) with Photoshop CS.
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> Patrick Kelley
> ------------------
> Patrick Kelley
> Assistant Professor
> Department of Art and Art History
> St. Olaf College
> Northfield, MN
> 

Patrick, An outstanding solution would be to Use Egosofts "Studio Print" RIP 
and the EyeOne Photospectrometer device. With these two items
you can use any black inks you like and make custom enviroments for as many 
of the six inks you would like to use. 
Most are quad enviroments with a common black. You'll have the ability to 
turn on and off any of the positions you like and the EyeOne device will create 
the 
Proper linerazation for any paper you want also. Think Quadtones with two 
extra positions to install what you like.
This is expensive, and Studio Print is PC only, but you'll have the best 
Black and white output you can buy from inkjet anyway.
There are many Mac users using Studio Print on a networked PC.
I'm guessing 3500.00 to do it plus ink. This is a serious approach not 
complicated but will deliver. Other approaches I'm afraid would yield results 
similiar to your experience with the 1200.
My only concern would be to invest and then have a major hardware expense for 
the 9500 if a board or motor went out.
But, the 9500 can be competitive with any output out there with the right 
tools.
With the EyeOne Device and Studio Print you can do everything yourself and 
correctly! and need not to depend on workflows created by others that don't cut 
it on your printer.
Bag the Standard MIS Hextone inks, there are not archival enough!!
It would be a shame to have a 9500 not seeing any work :)
Steve Meyers


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