Digital BW, The Print

Hello, 
I am preparing to setup an Epson 4000 for dedicated b&w using the UT7 
inkset and the QTR Rip. I will be filling my own cartridges. 

I am a bit confused reading MIS text on the UT7 inkset, and am 
unclear which inks will go in which cartridge (color) positions. MIS 
IS clear about the positions when using the Roark curves, where they 
mention switching inks in some positions, as I recall.

Is anyone using an Epson 4000 in a similar configuration as I am 
planning...if so, what are the ink positions for UT7 in respect to 
normal color cartridge positions? Also, I understand that the 
2200/UT7 curves in QTR are a good place to start for the 4000. 
Appreciate advice on that too while we are on the subject.

I am currently using UT2/QTR in an Epson 1280 with good results, so 
have some understanding of the similar UT7 inkset. Just unclear about 
the above.

thank you,
Ken Smith
www.kensmithart.com

Ken,

If you are using QTR to make your own curves from scratch, you can 
place them any way you want. I examined the qidf files for 2200-UT7, 
and I can tell you that they are designed around the same tone 
arrangment suggested by Paul Roark for his workflows.

http://www.inksupply.com/ut7comments.cfm

This ink set would not be a bad for you on the 4000. But I am not 
sure if it is the best if you plan to use QTR. In that particular 
arrangment, LK is superfluous. You could substitute GLOP in that 
position for use to overcoat RC papers to eliminate gloss 
differential.

If I were you, I would also put the Epson 4800 PK ink in the PK 
position. Together with GLOP, it will give you Dmax upward of 2.5 on 
papers like Museo Silver Rag and Fiba Glossy.

Another option, perhaps better, would be to consider the newer UT-3D 
inkset. But you would need to make the QTR curves from scratch.

What papers do you plan to use? What hue do you desire?

Good luck.

Shilesh

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Ken Smith" 
<ken@...> wrote:
>
> Hello, 
> I am preparing to setup an Epson 4000 for dedicated b&w using the 
UT7 
> inkset and the QTR Rip. I will be filling my own cartridges. 
> 
> I am a bit confused reading MIS text on the UT7 inkset, and am 
> unclear which inks will go in which cartridge (color) positions. 
MIS 
> IS clear about the positions when using the Roark curves, where 
they 
> mention switching inks in some positions, as I recall.
> 
> Is anyone using an Epson 4000 in a similar configuration as I am 
> planning...if so, what are the ink positions for UT7 in respect to 
> normal color cartridge positions? Also, I understand that the 
> 2200/UT7 curves in QTR are a good place to start for the 4000. 
> Appreciate advice on that too while we are on the subject.
> 
> I am currently using UT2/QTR in an Epson 1280 with good results, so 
> have some understanding of the similar UT7 inkset. Just unclear 
about 

> the above.
> 
> thank you,
> Ken Smith
> www.kensmithart.com
>

Shilesh,
Thank you for your reply. I never use glossy paper. In fact my main 
paper for all my fine art work is uncoated Somerset Velvet Radiant 
White printmaking paper. I sometimes use Rives BFK White also since 
it is heavily sized. So I don't need the Glop or the photo black for 
that matter. I intended to run flushing fluid in the photo black 
cartridge for now, until I learned how to do my own curves. 
Essentially I wanted to use normal ink positions, as I have in the 
1280/UT2/QTR setup, and print away. I have not tweaked any curves in 
QTR, but have made some curves in photoshop to prepare the image 
specifically for QTR, such as lighter and a bit more contrasty, for 
the particular QTR settings I was using...I would run that curve to 
the image before saving it in size for the QTR print.

I like having the option of the various tones of UT7 (I understand 
that UT3D has no sepia) I like neutral, carbon, and occasionally 
sepia...sometimes mixes of them as QTR so easily allows. I really 
don't use the cold, blue tones at all. Like I say, I wanted, at least 
for now to spend my time photographing, using a good print process, 
but not get too involved in the chemistry of it. There's so little 
time.

I thought the LK would come into play to smooth out the black 
transitions in the tones in QTR...not sure what you mean by 
superfluous. I could use the Roark curves for the inks, but already 
have QTR, and enjoy using the workflow. 

thanks again for your ideas,
Ken



--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Shilesh Jani" 
<shileshjani@...> wrote:
>
> Ken,
> 
> If you are using QTR to make your own curves from scratch, you can 
> place them any way you want. I examined the qidf files for 2200-
UT7, 
> and I can tell you that they are designed around the same tone 
> arrangment suggested by Paul Roark for his workflows.
> 
> http://www.inksupply.com/ut7comments.cfm
> 
> This ink set would not be a bad for you on the 4000. But I am not 
> sure if it is the best if you plan to use QTR. In that particular 
> arrangment, LK is superfluous. You could substitute GLOP in that 
> position for use to overcoat RC papers to eliminate gloss 
> differential.
> 
> If I were you, I would also put the Epson 4800 PK ink in the PK 
> position. Together with GLOP, it will give you Dmax upward of 2.5 
on 
> papers like Museo Silver Rag and Fiba Glossy.
> 
> Another option, perhaps better, would be to consider the newer UT-
3D 

> inkset. But you would need to make the QTR curves from scratch.
> 
> What papers do you plan to use? What hue do you desire?
> 
> Good luck.
> 
> Shilesh
>

> I like having the option of the various tones of UT7 (I understand 
> that UT3D has no sepia) I like neutral, carbon, and occasionally 
> sepia...sometimes mixes of them as QTR so easily allows.

> I thought the LK would come into play to smooth out the black 
> transitions in the tones in QTR...not sure what you mean by 
> superfluous. 

Hi Ken,

I'm in comparable situation as you (although I own a 2100 iso a 4000). 
I use QTR as well. I'm no fan of glossy either. I'm heading for the UT-
3D ink because of its larger flexibility. The LK ink is not 
used/necessary when using QTR. It's just there to make the ink set 
compatible with the Epson driver. So I plan to put a sepia cartridge 
there.

Joost

Shilesh wrote, in part:

>If I were you, I would also put the Epson 4800 PK ink in the PK 
>position. Together with GLOP, it will give you Dmax upward of 2.5 on 
>papers like Museo Silver Rag and Fiba Glossy.

Epson PK is impressive.  On the C88 with MIS PKN I'm getting just above 2.4,
which is about the best I've been able to achieve with MIS PKs and might be
indistinguishable from the higher Epson PK dmax.  On other printers the MIS
PK dmax would probably be lower.  I don't know how the 4000 prints the
various MIS PK versions.  On the 2200 with 3D and I'm getting 2.22 on CSR.
It depends on the printer and version of MIS PK or PKN that one uses.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com