Digital BW, The Print

Hi everyone ,
I have been using the 2000P for several years without problems , black only , and been getting reasonable results . The printer is still in great condition [I dont print all that much] but I am battling to now get the carts here in South Africa as Epson dont want to play ball - okay it is an old printer , but how difficult can it be to throw a few carts in a container from time to time to keep a customer happy?? Anyway , I am not in a position to buy a new printer right now , and dont see why I should , so I was thinking perhaps a CIS might be the answer to my problem . It will reduce ink costs , improve quality no doubt with some sort of quad/hextone set up , plus , I dont have to deal with the scumbags at Epson .
So my question is , which CIS - I was thinking the Ink Republic one as the damper seems a better way than the sponge carts some seem to use? Also , which inks are recommended[ I do sell B&W prints] which will give decent longevity and quality - I'm not interested in mixing up my own brew so something thats readily available!
Also , considering that I dont print all that much how big an issue is clogging or printer idle time with a CIS?
Thanks for any experience or suggestions.
Steve

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

"Steve Woolfenden" <swoolf@...> wrote:
 
> I have been using the 2000P for several years ... black only ...

> I am battling to now get the carts here in South Africa 
> as Epson dont want to play ball - ...

There may be options that allow you to test the inkset approach you 
want to use before committing to a CIS.

I'd contact MIS <http://www.inksupply.com/> to see if they ship to 
South Africa. 

The MIS B&W inks I'm most familiar with for the P2000 are at 
http://www.inksupply.com/epson_cartridges.cfm
Scroll to the P2000 printer.  On the P2000 page, look at the options 
below the Epson OEM inks.  One is UTFS K, which is Eboni MK.  See 
part #UTFS-T015-K  
 

> ...  I was thinking perhaps a CIS might be the answer ...

It might be, as long as you know what inkset you'll want to be using.


>  .... Also , which inks are recommended [I do sell B&W prints]
> which will give decent longevity and quality 

This might depend on the image tone and paper type (glossy v. matte) 
that you like.

It also might depend on how much work with respect to profiling you 
want to do.

> ... something thats readily available!

That could be a limiting issue.

> Also, considering that I dont print all that much 
> how big an issue is clogging or printer idle time with a CIS?

I think the inks the clog will do so with or without a CIS.  And 
virtually all inksets will clog if they sit too long; so it's all 
relative.  If black only quality is good enough for you, a clear 
fluid like cleaning fluid in the 5 color positions takes care of the 
clogging there.  An Eboni MK black only with cleaning fluid in the 
color spots is probably the least clogging route you can go.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

Thanks for this Paul - I hadnt realised anyone was still making carts for the 2000P. I will certainly give them a try if postage costs arent too high , plus I will gladly abandon BO printing if I can get carts loaded with quadtone B&W inks . 
Failing this , and assuming I were to go the CIS route what inks would you recommend? Here are some samples of my B&W work http://www.flickr.com/photos/63623102@N00/
And I have been printing mostly on semi gloss paper but am looking to migrate more to stuff like Ilford gold silk for my saleable stuff .
Thanks ,
Steve

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: pr_roark 
  To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 2:01 AM
  Subject: [Digital BW] Re: CIS for Epson 2000P


  "Steve Woolfenden" <swoolf@...> wrote:

  > I have been using the 2000P for several years ... black only ...

  > I am battling to now get the carts here in South Africa 
  > as Epson dont want to play ball - ...

  There may be options that allow you to test the inkset approach you 
  want to use before committing to a CIS.

  I'd contact MIS <http://www.inksupply.com/> to see if they ship to 
  South Africa. 

  The MIS B&W inks I'm most familiar with for the P2000 are at 
  http://www.inksupply.com/epson_cartridges.cfm
  Scroll to the P2000 printer. On the P2000 page, look at the options 
  below the Epson OEM inks. One is UTFS K, which is Eboni MK. See 
  part #UTFS-T015-K 


  > ... I was thinking perhaps a CIS might be the answer ...

  It might be, as long as you know what inkset you'll want to be using.

  > .... Also , which inks are recommended [I do sell B&W prints]
  > which will give decent longevity and quality 

  This might depend on the image tone and paper type (glossy v. matte) 
  that you like.

  It also might depend on how much work with respect to profiling you 
  want to do.

  > ... something thats readily available!

  That could be a limiting issue.

  > Also, considering that I dont print all that much 
  > how big an issue is clogging or printer idle time with a CIS?

  I think the inks the clog will do so with or without a CIS. And 
  virtually all inksets will clog if they sit too long; so it's all 
  relative. If black only quality is good enough for you, a clear 
  fluid like cleaning fluid in the 5 color positions takes care of the 
  clogging there. An Eboni MK black only with cleaning fluid in the 
  color spots is probably the least clogging route you can go.

  Paul
  www.PaulRoark.com 



  

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]