Peculiar diference twixt 3800 and 3880
2018-01-11 by david@...
This is about the only place I can think of where someone might have an answer to this conundrum.
I have a 3800 and a 3880, both with the same Matte Black ink in them. In fact, both cartridges loaded from the same larger Epson Matte Black cartridge, so they are absolutely identical.
I am making direct-to-plate photogravure plates, so ONLY the matte black ink is used, within QTR. (Yes, I know about the problems that occur with a single black ink, but they don't occur under this particular use, not ever.)
I make a direct-to-plate image with the same file, same settings, same computer, same Photoshop everything, all things are precisely the same...
EXCEPT, that the contrast and density of the output are substantially different between the two printers. So, is there any behind-the-scenes difference between these two models, or even two numbers of the same model, that would cause a significantly different ink deposit from the very same image?
Here's an example:
To get the same result from both printers I had to add a Brightness/Contrast layer to the file and set brightness to minus 55 and contrast to minus 100 for the correct result with the 3800, to match the 3880. That's a LOT!!
Ink settling is out, BTW, both cartridges were loaded on the same day and are frequently agitated.
Speaking of agitated... any ideas?!!