Digital BW, The Print

Hi Folks

I'm in the process of implementing my BW output workflow (based a lot 
on advice from Paul and Clayton...thanks, guys, but I'm probably not 
finished picking your brains yet<g>) and saw, out of the corner of my 
eye, my old Epson Stylus Photo EX.

I gave it to my husband when I upgraded, but it has mostly been 
sitting around idle.  Even after repeated cleaning cycles, I can't 
get the black ink to print.  I was going to consign it to the trash 
heap, but before I did so, I thought I'd ask if anyone still makes 
monochrome inks for it.  If so, it might be worth seeing if I can 
physically unclog the head (blasting caps, magical incantations, 
whatever).  It's not as if I have a lot to lose if I mess it up, so I 
can afford to be bold.

I realize we're talking way-outdated technology but if there's any 
use for it (even for contact sheet output or ransom notes) I'd like 
to put it to use.

Any ideas?  Or is this just Karissa jousting at windmills, yet again?

TIA.

Peace,

Karissa

If you can get the black head unclogged it could
probably do decent Black Only prints with MIS Eboni. 
I have done that with a 1200 and was pleased with the
results.  My first Epson printers were EXs.  If you
want to get really adventurous you could try the UT-R2
since it is a hextone ink set for a 6 color printer. 
According to a post by Pual Roark some time ago, you
could only have to buy 3 bottles of bulk ink:

Eboni or Photo Black for the Black position
Neutral midtone dark for the C and the M positions
Neutral midtone light for the LC, LM, and Y positions

Mike Brubaker



--- Karissa <wench_in_progress@...> wrote:

> Hi Folks
> 
> I'm in the process of implementing my BW output
> workflow (based a lot 
> on advice from Paul and Clayton...thanks, guys, but
> I'm probably not 
> finished picking your brains yet<g>) and saw, out of
> the corner of my 
> eye, my old Epson Stylus Photo EX.
> 
> I gave it to my husband when I upgraded, but it has
> mostly been 
> sitting around idle.  Even after repeated cleaning
> cycles, I can't 
> get the black ink to print.  I was going to consign
> it to the trash 
> heap, but before I did so, I thought I'd ask if
> anyone still makes 
> monochrome inks for it.  If so, it might be worth
> seeing if I can 
> physically unclog the head (blasting caps, magical
> incantations, 
> whatever).  It's not as if I have a lot to lose if I
> mess it up, so I 
> can afford to be bold.
> 
> I realize we're talking way-outdated technology but
> if there's any 
> use for it (even for contact sheet output or ransom
> notes) I'd like 
> to put it to use.
> 
> Any ideas?  Or is this just Karissa jousting at
> windmills, yet again?
> 
> TIA.
> 
> Peace,
> 
> Karissa
> 
> 
> 
> 


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First, let me say I've tilted at more than a few windmills in my time, 
and the occasional success is most gratifying. But . . .

I've been using a C84 with MIS EZ inks for a couple of years now and 
really like the output and the simplicity of the system.  My C84 
recently has been sending me suicide notes and then shutting down, and 
although it is working again at the moment I decided it was time to have 
a backup on hand.  After looking around and talking to MIS, I got a 
refurbished C88 direct from Epson for $59 delivered.  MIS said it will 
take the CIS from my C84 without having to change chips, so it's just a 
matter of a little new velcro to hold the tubing in place.

Don't know what the Stylus Photo EX might do if you could resurrect it, 
but for the price I suspect it would at least be worth looking at 
something like the C88, with a new warranty and current monochrome inks 
available.

Cheers,
Kip

Karissa wrote:

> Hi Folks
>
> I'm in the process of implementing my BW output workflow (based a lot
> on advice from Paul and Clayton...thanks, guys, but I'm probably not
> finished picking your brains yet<g>) and saw, out of the corner of my
> eye, my old Epson Stylus Photo EX.
>
> <snip>
>
> I realize we're talking way-outdated technology but if there's any
> use for it (even for contact sheet output or ransom notes) I'd like
> to put it to use.
>
> Any ideas? Or is this just Karissa jousting at windmills, yet again?
>
> TIA.
>
> Peace,
>
> Karissa
>
>
>
>

Hello Karissa,

Since I am dedicated to efficiency, ease and simplicity I have to vote
for "Mundane Doorstop" or "boat anchor" on this one.  I don't know
what your time is worth, but there are probably more productive ways
to spend the hours it would take to tinker with the EX (getting it
unclogged, testing inks and workflows to find what works best, keeping
those inks in stock - unless you really like doing that sort of
thing), and even if you did get it running what would you have?  Would
the cost in time and materials (and space) to keep it running be worth
whatever benefit it could provide?  Time for a cost/benefit analysis.

Regards,
Clayton


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