Digital BW, The Print

Dear all,

I have tried to read all about Black only printing on the DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, the website of Paul Roark and the site of  MIS Associates at www.inksupply.com.

Still I have some questions to complete my understanding before making the move to 3K printing/BO with my R1800.

Q1. In some forums you still read that not using the Epson original inks results in fast clogging of your printhead and damage to the printer. Is that true, or how high is the risk when using the MIS Ebony inks for the R1800?

Q2. When using 3K, are you in fact creating something like a tri-tone print, as the ink in all 3 positions is the same black ink?

Q3. Am I right when I think what I need to order from MIS Associates is the following:

3 cleaning cartridges to use before I put in the black prefilled cartridges and clean the head for the 3 positions matte black, photo black and gloss
3 cartridges for black for the positions matte black, photo black and gloss
1 bottle of ink, 125 ml to refill when my new 3K cartridges go empty

Do I need something else for instance to be able to fill the cartridges? Like a syringe (is that the right word in English?).

Also I need QTR license from Paul Roark.

Q4. How often do you have to print to keep the system in good working condition? Some prints per day, some per week, or less. Or maybe install some utility to have the system print at least once a week a full color print?

Q5. Is it better to leave the printer on instead of switching it off every day after printing has finished? As the headcleaning cycle on start up and shut down is eating up much ink. Or would I create more clogging risk due to not having two cleaning cycles per day?

Thanks a lot.

"waterwin2" <waterwin2@...> wrote:

>... I have some questions to complete my understanding before 
> making the move to 3K printing/BO with my R1800.
> 
> Q1. In some forums you still read that not using the Epson 
> original inks results in fast clogging ...

All inks can clog a printer if they dry out, usually through non-use of the printer or a faulty machine.  Eboni has been used by me and lots of others for years.  I'm not sure I've ever heard of it wrecking a printer, on the other hand, I do occasionally have to do a cleaning if the printer has sat unused for a while -- like a week or more.  I think Eboni is in the same league with OEM inks in terms of how often this type of thing happens.

What you'll more likely run into is that at first there may be air or foam in the outlet of the cart.  If you don't get a good nozzle check at first or after a couple of cleanings, let the printer sit overnight so the foam can dissipate.

The number one problem is that people don't take the tab off the air intake on the cart.  If air cannot get in, ink cannot get out.  The third party carts require the air intake to be opened manually.

> Q2. When using 3K, are you in fact creating something like 
> a tri-tone print, as the ink in all 3 positions is the 
> same black ink?

The reason 3 Eboni inks are used is that the 1800 tends to band if too few inks are firing.  The inks start sequentially, but all will be firing by the dark midtones.

> Q3. Am I right when I think what I need to order from 
> MIS Associates is the following:
> 
> 3 cleaning cartridges to ...

Cleaning carts are probably a good idea.  I, frankly, don't always use them.  In fact, I mix my own clear fluid -- what I call the C6 base.  See http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Ink-Mixing.pdf 

> 3 cartridges for black for the positions matte black, photo
>  black and gloss
> 1 bottle of ink, 125 ml to refill when my new 3K cartridges 
> go empty

Correct.

 
> Do I need something else for instance to be able to fill 
> the cartridges? Like a syringe (is that the right word in English?).

Yes, get a syringe (12cc) and a dull needle.
 
> Also I need QTR license from Paul Roark.

QTR is Roy Harrington's product, not mine.  
See http://www.quadtonerip.com/html/QTRoverview.html 


> Q4. How often do you have to print to keep the system 
> in good working condition? ...

It seems to depend on climate (temperature, humidity and elevation) as well as the printer quality.  My 1800 recently sat unused for months, and the nozzle check was perfect for the Eboni spots when I fired it up again.  I think weekly use is a good idea.

 
> Q5. Is it better to leave the printer on instead of switching 
> it off every day after printing has finished? ...

I've heard lots of opinions here, but I really don't know which is better.  I turn off most of my printers, but not the one I use every day.

I hope the system works for you.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "pr_roark" <paul.roark@...> wrote:
>
> 
> "waterwin2" <waterwin2@> wrote:
> 
> >... I have some questions to complete my understanding before 
> > making the move to 3K printing/BO with my R1800.
> > 
> > Q1. In some forums you still read that not using the Epson 
> > original inks results in fast clogging ...
> 
> All inks can clog a printer if they dry out, usually through non-use of the printer or a faulty machine.  Eboni has been used by me and lots of others for years.  I'm not sure I've ever heard of it wrecking a printer, on the other hand, I do occasionally have to do a cleaning if the printer has sat unused for a while -- like a week or more.  I think Eboni is in the same league with OEM inks in terms of how often this type of thing happens.
> 
> What you'll more likely run into is that at first there may be air or foam in the outlet of the cart.  If you don't get a good nozzle check at first or after a couple of cleanings, let the printer sit overnight so the foam can dissipate.
> 
> The number one problem is that people don't take the tab off the air intake on the cart.  If air cannot get in, ink cannot get out.  The third party carts require the air intake to be opened manually.
> 
> > Q2. When using 3K, are you in fact creating something like 
> > a tri-tone print, as the ink in all 3 positions is the 
> > same black ink?
> 
> The reason 3 Eboni inks are used is that the 1800 tends to band if too few inks are firing.  The inks start sequentially, but all will be firing by the dark midtones.
> 
> > Q3. Am I right when I think what I need to order from 
> > MIS Associates is the following:
> > 
> > 3 cleaning cartridges to ...
> 
> Cleaning carts are probably a good idea.  I, frankly, don't always use them.  In fact, I mix my own clear fluid -- what I call the C6 base.  See http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Ink-Mixing.pdf 
> 
> > 3 cartridges for black for the positions matte black, photo
> >  black and gloss
> > 1 bottle of ink, 125 ml to refill when my new 3K cartridges 
> > go empty
> 
> Correct.
> 
>  
> > Do I need something else for instance to be able to fill 
> > the cartridges? Like a syringe (is that the right word in English?).
> 
> Yes, get a syringe (12cc) and a dull needle.
>  
> > Also I need QTR license from Paul Roark.
> 
> QTR is Roy Harrington's product, not mine.  
> See http://www.quadtonerip.com/html/QTRoverview.html 
> 
> 
> > Q4. How often do you have to print to keep the system 
> > in good working condition? ...
> 
> It seems to depend on climate (temperature, humidity and elevation) as well as the printer quality.  My 1800 recently sat unused for months, and the nozzle check was perfect for the Eboni spots when I fired it up again.  I think weekly use is a good idea.
> 
>  
> > Q5. Is it better to leave the printer on instead of switching 
> > it off every day after printing has finished? ...
> 
> I've heard lots of opinions here, but I really don't know which is better.  I turn off most of my printers, but not the one I use every day.
> 
> I hope the system works for you.
> 
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com
>
Thanks a lot, is a great help. Sorry for my confusion regarding QTR, should have known that by now!

I can't add to what Paul has said... he's the guy who developed this and certainly the one who can help you most. I just want to add a note of encouragement, I've been happy with my R1800 and Paul's method of printing BO prints, with QTR. I ended up with getting the refillable carts from MIS, with Eboni in the three positions you mentioned, and the MIS cleaning fluid in the five color positions. Simple, inexpensive, with fine results.

Have been doing some b/w prints for some architects here, submitting them to the National Register for Historic Places where these prints easily meet their high archival standards.

Good luck in your printing with this setup... enjoy the journey, as Paul would say!

Paul (a different one!)

Paul,

I can't understand why you didn't leave the color inks in their proper places, and replacing then with cleaning fluid.  By leaving the color inks in place you could have had a dedicated BO printer, and a matte color printer in one.  For aesthetic reasons, I sometimes print my B&W images with a cool or sepia tone, which I can with the color inks in place.  Having removed them, you can't.

Ben

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "paulmwhiting" <paulmwhiting@...> wrote:

>
> I can't add to what Paul has said... he's the guy who developed this and certainly the one who can help you most. I just want to add a note of encouragement, I've been happy with my R1800 and Paul's method of printing BO prints, with QTR. I ended up with getting the refillable carts from MIS, with Eboni in the three positions you mentioned, and the MIS cleaning fluid in the five color positions. Simple, inexpensive, with fine results.
> 
> Have been doing some b/w prints for some architects here, submitting them to the National Register for Historic Places where these prints easily meet their high archival standards.
> 
> Good luck in your printing with this setup... enjoy the journey, as Paul would say!
> 
> Paul (a different one!)
>

Ben,

Good question, and I considered that option. It's one of the reasons people choose this printer. But I don't do much color, and the color carts are expensive. Some color is used even when the printer is warming up or when a head cleaning is performed. As for mixing some color in, my understanding is that this would compromise the archival quality of the 100% carbon ink. And archival printing is important for the nature of my work, documenting buildings for historic groups.

Hope that helps answer your question! You've got good reasons for your option, I can see that.

Regards,

Paul

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "ben" <benjschneider2@...> wrote:

>
> Paul,
> 
> I can't understand why you didn't leave the color inks in their proper places, and replacing then with cleaning fluid.  By leaving the color inks in place you could have had a dedicated BO printer, and a matte color printer in one.  For aesthetic reasons, I sometimes print my B&W images with a cool or sepia tone, which I can with the color inks in place.  Having removed them, you can't.
> 
> Ben
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "paulmwhiting" <paulmwhiting@> wrote:
> >
> > I can't add to what Paul has said... he's the guy who developed this and certainly the one who can help you most. I just want to add a note of encouragement, I've been happy with my R1800 and Paul's method of printing BO prints, with QTR. I ended up with getting the refillable carts from MIS, with Eboni in the three positions you mentioned, and the MIS cleaning fluid in the five color positions. Simple, inexpensive, with fine results.
> > 
> > Have been doing some b/w prints for some architects here, submitting them to the National Register for Historic Places where these prints easily meet their high archival standards.
> > 
> > Good luck in your printing with this setup... enjoy the journey, as Paul would say!
> > 
> > Paul (a different one!)
> >
>