QTR-Quadtone RIP

I wish to "dedicate" my new P800 printer to Matte papers, however I also print dig negs on Pictorico film.

My experience with my R1800 printer and Eboni MK ink and dig negs is the "grain" and smoothness is fine. However, the R1800 is a 1.5 picoliter drop size versus the P800 3.5 picoliter drop size.

So my Question: 
Would MK Epson ink on the P800 (P600) give as good results as PK ink dig negatives for Cyanotype, VDB, and Pl/Pt Alt processes?

Thanks and any thoughts appreciated.
~Terry

Long story short, no.

The MK ink is actually too opaque in comparison to the LK ink meaning as the MK and LK ink start to merge in the HLs, you will get lots of white dots in the highlights of your darkroom print. 

The MK ink (Ultra-chrome HD) also rubs off of film easily and is very fragile as it is designed for more porous substrate. It doesn’t work well on film with no half-tone applied.

best,
Walker

> On Jun 22, 2017, at 11:39 AM, TerryGls@... [QuadtoneRIP] <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
> 
> I wish to "dedicate" my new P800 printer to Matte papers, however I also print dig negs on Pictorico film.
> 
> My experience with my R1800 printer and Eboni MK ink and dig negs is the "grain" and smoothness is fine. However, the R1800 is a 1.5 picoliter drop size versus the P800 3.5 picoliter drop size.
> 
> So my Question: 
> Would MK Epson ink on the P800 (P600) give as good results as PK ink dig negatives for Cyanotype, VDB, and Pl/Pt Alt processes?
> 
> Thanks and any thoughts appreciated.
> ~Terry
> 
>

Thanks Walker. Others I think have used MK ink on the 3800 and 3880 which is a different ink set than the HD MK ink.
So, even with some special profiles in QTR with less MK and more of black lighter inks, you think results not good?
~Terry

Thanks Richard and Peter.
Yes, primarily a ink consumption issue as the P800 ink loss is pretty great.
I may continue MK papers on my R1800 and use the P800 for glossy and dig negs.

Hoping for more comments on this topic.

~Terry

I would also note that using these printers with only MK or PK is not advised. Waiting a long time to switch the damper can lead to it breaking. They are meant to switch often. By not switching, it could lead to a much more costly repair down the road outweighing the ink savings.

best,
Walker