Digital BW, The Print

In the context of comparing the performance of MIS UT14-C (a PKN) with the HP Z3100 neutral PK, I printed identical brochures on Red River UltraPro Gloss 2.0, each with a single 1400 channel -- "black only" -- with QTR.  I then compared the images.  My observations were that the MIS PKN was cooler and had less gloss and less brozing.  I knew from the spectro that the HP PK had a slightly higer dmax, but both were so high that visually I assumed it made no difference.

I then asked my wife which brochure looked best.  She picked the MIS UT14-C print.  Why?  The blacks are better.

In looking at the 2 brochures side by side, and trying to ignore my knowledge of the spectro dmax readings, I think she's right.  It looks like the same results that we've seen with matte v. glossy.  The reflections off the more glossy HP-PK surface block the technically higher dmax from being seen in normal viewing.  The lower gloss MIS coating looks blacker due to relatively lower reflections.

Since I really only use glossy printing from brochures and some snapshots, spending the extra money for the HP-PK is not warranted for my uses.  (In fact, I'll probably do a fade test to see how much difference there really is.)  

I'll probably ratchet down to a less cool PKN from MIS, however.  The R2-PKC is 30% color as opposed to the 40% color of the UT14-C.  So, that may be what I settle on for the glossy printing option on my 1400.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

> I then asked my wife which brochure looked best.  She picked the MIS UT14-C print.  Why?  The blacks are better.
> 
> In looking at the 2 brochures side by side, and trying to ignore my knowledge of the spectro dmax readings, I think she's right.  It looks like the same results that we've seen with matte v. glossy.  The reflections off the more glossy HP-PK surface block the technically higher dmax from being seen in normal viewing.  The lower gloss MIS coating looks blacker due to relatively lower reflections.

> 
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com 

Wasn't that discussed before :-)  The practical value of the highest 
Dmax if it relies on the gloss factor.

My question about the Eboni 2% was not correctly phrased I think. It 
wasn't about the ink channels it occupies but where it ranks in a quad 
set: LLK or LK.


-- 
Met vriendelijke groeten,   Ernst


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Ernst,

> My question about the Eboni 2% was not correctly phrased I think. It 
> wasn't about the ink channels it occupies but where it ranks in
> a quad set: LLK or LK.

2% Eboni is lighter than either LK of LLK -- more like an LLLK.  I use it as opposed to the other dilutions of Eboni because it's slightly more neutral and much more stable in terms of settling.  In a desktop printer the agitation of the carts from normal printing is such that the settlement problem is not much of an issue.  So, other dilutions would be fine.  With Eboni, 18% is close to LK density, and 6% is close to LLK.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com