Digital BW, The Print

Hello, I have some stupid newbie questions that I could not find clear
answers to:

On the Epson R220, I intend to alternate using Epson color (dyebased)
and MIS R2 black and white pigment inks.

1. Will this harm the printer?
2. Is it OK to reinstall partially used cartridges?
3. Do I need to purge with cleaning cartridges when switching ink
types, or is regular head-cleaning enough?
4. Is it better to switch off with pigment color inks rather than dye
inks?

Thanks,
Bob

Hello Bob,

>On the Epson R220, I intend to alternate using Epson color (dyebased)
>and MIS R2 black and white pigment inks.
> 
>1. Will this harm the printer?
>2. Is it OK to reinstall partially used cartridges?
>3. Do I need to purge with cleaning cartridges when switching ink
>types, or is regular head-cleaning enough?
>4. Is it better to switch off with pigment color inks rather than dye
>inks?

Lots of people are using MIS pigment inks in these printers and
reporting few if any clogs.  I didn't use cleaning carts with I put
MIS in my R200, but I only did it one time.  I'm not sure if switching
back and forth would increase chances of problems

There is a lot of ink wastage due to cleaning cycles when inks are
changed.  Since they are so inexpensive you might consider getting
another printer, one for each ink, and not do any switching.  If you
print a lot the ink savings will pay for it, plus save time and hassle.

Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm

Thank you, Clayton.

I overlooked the cleaning waste. I did wonder if a second printer
would be an easier way, but it sounds like it would be more economical
as well.

In the meantime I'll have to organize my printing to minimize switching.

Now I'm wondering if the R800 might not have been a better choice in
the long run!

Bob

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Clayton Jones"
<cj@...> wrote:

> There is a lot of ink wastage due to cleaning cycles when inks are
> changed.  Since they are so inexpensive you might consider getting
> another printer, one for each ink, and not do any switching.  If you
> print a lot the ink savings will pay for it, plus save time and hassle.
> 
> Regards,
> Clayton
>

Bob,

>Now I'm wondering if the R800 might not have been a better choice in
>the long run!

From comments here in the forum the R800/1800 are not the best
printers for BW.  But they do use pigment inks.  Perhaps a good move
would be to get an 800 for color and put the MIS grayscale inks in the
220 for BW.  Best of both worlds.  Why bother with dye inks...

Or if you might want the occasional larger print, get a 2400 for top
notch color and BW, and keep the 220 for proofing and experimenting
with other inks. I use an R200 for BO proofing and the 2400 for final
prints.  Reduces ink costs a lot.

Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm

Hi Clayton,

I was only half serious on that. For some I think the R800 would
indeed be a better choice. But if I had it to do all over again, I
would still go for the R220, because what I need at the moment is a
low-cost no-worries learning machine for dabbling and experimenting
(even abusing) with fine inkjet printing, especially BW.

I'm sure you're aware how confusing this is for a newcomer. For
example, I believe it was a very short time ago that pigment inks did
not give good results on gloss papers. That is apparently no longer
the case. The common wisdom seems to change very rapidly, in other
words, and there is a great deal to absorb just to be able to get your
bearings. And color management... yikes!

Resources like this group are a godsend, obviously thanks to the
expertise and generosity of those like yourself and Paul and your
colleagues who've worked and studied and learned and are willing to
share and help the rest of us.

Well, my Bergger sampler pack just arrived today! After reading your
advice, though, I think I will do all the color printing I need to do
before I swap in the BW inks.

Thanks so much for the help.

- Bob

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Clayton Jones"
<cj@...> wrote:

>
> Bob,
> 
> >Now I'm wondering if the R800 might not have been a better choice in
> >the long run!
> 
> From comments here in the forum the R800/1800 are not the best
> printers for BW.  But they do use pigment inks.  Perhaps a good move
> would be to get an 800 for color and put the MIS grayscale inks in the
> 220 for BW.  Best of both worlds.  Why bother with dye inks...
> 
> Or if you might want the occasional larger print, get a 2400 for top
> notch color and BW, and keep the 220 for proofing and experimenting
> with other inks. I use an R200 for BO proofing and the 2400 for final
> prints.  Reduces ink costs a lot.
> 
> Regards,
> Clayton
> 
> 
> Info on black and white digital printing at    
> http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm
>