Digital BW, The Print

Joseph Meyerson <lensandcamera@...> wrote:

> **
>
>
> I just picked up a 1430 on rebate, and before I open it up, I want to know
> what my options are. I'd like to go CIS ...
>

MIS (http://www.inksupply.com/ut14_black_and_white.cfm and
http://www.inksupply.com/eb6.cfm) and Piezography have been the primary
third party B&W vendors used by people on this forum.

MIS sells many but not all of the inksets I've used and written up over the
years.

There are a lot of variables in terms of which system is most likely to fit
your preferences.

As to the MIS/Inksupply.com offerings, they have Eboni-6 and UT14 inksets
that are aimed at the 1400/1430.  My PDFs for those are at
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Eboni-6.pdf and
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/UT14.pdf .

Eboni is matte paper only; UT14 can do it all, but there are other
compromises (no free lunch here).

Eboni carbon, due to its lightfastness and low cost, plays a large roll in
my printing.  Many, including myself, often want more neutrality than 100%
carbon can achieve.  Thus, I've put together modifications of the Eboni-6
inkset that achieve this.
See http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Eboni-4-Plus.pdf   This inkset can do
outstanding matte prints and good neutral glossy ones.

I currently have 2 1400s: one with Eboni in it, and one with Epson-Noritsu
dyes in it.  I have more profiles for the Eboni based systems than for the
UT14 system.  Both are Epson driver compatible.  While I use QTR for most
of my printing, having the Epson driver available can be very handy and a
good place to starts.

The dye approach requires some mixing.  See
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/1400-Claria-Noritsu-2K2LK.pdf   For a CIS,
the cost of the Noritsu carts ($186 per 500 ml cart) may be a bit
off-putting. For longevity, it's not bad, but not in the same league as
carbon.

In my printing, Eboni carbon on matte paper is for longevity and the high
end of fine art.  The dyes are for glossy, high-impact prints -- what I
call "eye candy."  They make great cards and sell.

For my college kid I set up an Eboni CIS system.  The Eboni CIS system
lasted 4 years.  The CIS does need weekly agitation for the best
consistency.  (Actually, the CIS was what I call "Carbon-6," Eboni diluted
with generic base.  See http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Ink-Mixing.pdf )

... pigment, and glossy as well as matte?
>
I'd look carefully at http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Eboni-4-Plus.pdf

I also
> should note that there are periods I might not print for 2-3 weeks, so if
> that is a deal breaker for pigment, so be it.
>

The 1400 is very tolerant in this respect.  Other factors include the
amount of binder in the ink.  The dilute Eboni positions have almost none,
and thus virtually never clog.  Eboni MK will clog just like any MK
pigment, but no worse, from what I can tell.  The 1430 should be able to
handle the periods you're dealing with.

The glossy compatible pigments can also clog.  Again, I think the 1430
should be able to handle it.  I think the HP PK and LK options may be a bit
better in this regard than the MIS UT14C and LC.  But I think either will
be fine.

(p.s.: Willing to spray overcoat if need be.)
>

The less you have to do the better.  I spray the dye prints for display,
but it's toxic and not good for the environment.  I no longer have any
interest in supporting glop or multi-pass workflows; too many problems.  In
fact, for UT14, I'd not put in the Y position glop but go for a second
UT14-LC (or, if MIS will make and sell it, a UT14-LLC).  This would require
some more profiling, however.

Needless to say, these are my opinions.

Good luck in your search.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/


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