Digital BW, The Print

Hey Paul,

After recomending to others that they try UT-3D, I decided to try it 
myself too. Before loading the 2400 carts, I decided to check the 
densities by swabbing. I am finding the C (carbon dark) ink 
significantly denser than M (toner dark). C is D=1.08 vs M D=1.35. Is 
this normal, or is MIS still having QC problems? The hassle of 
returning for replacement is making MIS a pain-in-the-B***

Best regards.

Shilesh

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Shilesh Jani" <shileshjani@...> 
wrote:
>
> Hey Paul,
> 
> After recomending to others that they try UT-3D, I decided to try it 
> myself too. Before loading the 2400 carts, I decided to check the 
> densities by swabbing. I am finding the C (carbon dark) ink 
> significantly denser than M (toner dark). C is D=1.08 vs M D=1.35. Is 
> this normal, or is MIS still having QC problems? The hassle of 
> returning for replacement is making MIS a pain-in-the-B***
> 
> Best regards.
> 
> Shilesh
>

Hi Shilesh,

The 3D inkset seems to be a tough mix for MIS.  I was able to make a couple good
3D profiles for my 4000 but it was difficult.  

I have an order for some of the R2 inks -- both neutral and warm.  That with 
an idea for a sepia-like toner should be a lot easier to profile with QTR.  
I like that all the inks are "nice" B&W tones and most any mix will be within
the range of traditional B&W printing.
I'll be starting on a small printer but I'd like to see the idea migrate to all the printers.

Roy

Hi Shilesh,

>After recomending to others that they try UT-3D, I decided to try it 
>myself too. Before loading the 2400 carts, I decided to check the 
>densities by swabbing. I am finding the C (carbon dark) ink 
>significantly denser than M (toner dark). C is D=1.08 vs M D=1.35. ...

The C (dark carbon) is somewhat less dense than the M.  On Premier Art 205 C
D=1.14, M D=1.21.  On Photo Rag C D=1.25, M D=1.35.

So, either the swabbing is throwing off the readings a bit or your C is too
light.

Most of the MIS QC issues have been traced to a too-light LK from their
supplier.  C is 75% LK.  So, that could be the problem.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

Roy wrote, in part:

>I have an order for some of the R2 inks -- both neutral and warm. 
>That with an idea for a sepia-like toner should be a lot easier 
>to profile with QTR. 
>I like that all the inks are "nice" B&W tones and most any mix 
>will be within the range of traditional B&W printing.
>I'll be starting on a small printer but I'd like to see the 
>idea migrate to all the printers.

The UT-R2 inks (neutral/cool and warm/carbon) were made with the idea that
people would be able to easily change tones via plugging in different
combinations of the cartridges.  As with the C88 EZ inks, I have preferred a
warm Y-position ink for neutral printing on most papers.  

Once one has more than one tone of ink in the printer, then altering the
ratios from the default Epson driver ratios makes the inkset a form of
variable-tone inkset.

(In fact, that is essentially what I have in my 7500, with two modifications
-- a PK instead of dark midtone carbon and a very light neutral Y ink to
smooth the 7500's large dots in the highlights.)

The R2 inkset densities are somewhat universal for Epson printers.  So, this
approach should work on almost all modern hextone printers. 

For at least most Epson drivers I've found that using all the jets tends to
minimize the chances of microbanding.  So, that is an issue to keep an eye
on.  

This smoothness issue and the ability to profile both the Lab a and b axes
are among the reasons for the 3D inkset.  However, the 3D inkset, with 2 as
opposed to only one color axis, involves more complex profiling.  I've tried
to be clear that it is for the perfectionist.  Whether we get to the point
of having profiling software that will work with it is still an open
question.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com