Digital BW, The Print

> ...
> I started with a 2000P, which I found novel but unusable for serious
> printing of anything...

With dedicated B&W inks it can make excellent B&W prints.  Among other
things, it has one of the best matte paper dmaxs.  Since there are a lot of
these sitting around gathering dust David Brooks (Shutterbug) asked me to
tune a simple monotone inkset for one, which I did.  He seems quite pleased
with it.  My "Readme" file on it is at
http://home1.gte.net/res09aij/2000P-FS-Readme.htm.  Buying a used 2000P is a
good way for a person who wants 13" B&W to get going on a budget. 


>... 
>I've settled on the EEM and Velvet (the first for proofing and the 
>second for printing)...
>Hahnemuhle PR ... seemed ordinary to me ...
> and I also had ... occassional, small white specks which were 
>not printed.  I had this problem with no other papers I tried.

What some call "flaking" of the surface is quite common -- and a problem.
As others have noted, it can be reduced by brushing (might leave markets) or
blowing with compressed air before printing.  Sometimes this isn't enough. 

In general, the sensitivity of inkjet surfaces is a significant issue and
problem.  I think Epson UltraSmooth (PremierArt Fine Art Hot Press appears
to be the same coating) may be the best in this department and also in the
fading area.  It also has the brightest non-OBA surface (and optical
brighteners will "burn out" and make the paper appear to be yellowing).
With older printers the dmax was slightly weak but acceptable.  With the
4800 sample I've seen on PremierArt Hot Press 205 ("PA 205') -- which is a
real bargain paper -- the dmax was very good.  So, you might consider trying
this paper.  www.ITSupplies.com has the best prices I've seen for it.  See
<http://www.itsupplies.com/cgi-bin/itsupplies.storefront/42beea4202f8fae6274
0400180140675/Catalog/1518>

Sadly, PermaJet (same as Innova?) coating does not seem to do well with the
new Epson printers.  For pre-2400 models, this line is near the top of my
paper list.

>...
> My first prints on the 2400 did not match the monitor...

That is typical with B&W printing.  Some of us use the Photoshop soft
proofing procedure Photoshop provides.  I have the procedure written up at
http://home1.gte.net/res09aij/Monitor-Profiling.htm.

Frankly, I'm surprised Epson set up a separate B&W procedure.  At some point
the B&W and color workflows have to be integrated.  The amount of color
pigments fed into the image should be seamless from pure carbon to high
gamut color.  As such, I see the latest Epsons as a timid first step, but
still, by integrating what the third party rips have been doing into the
driver and adding a lighter gray, they've opened the market up to those who
won't try third party solutions -- which, of course, is where the
innovations have come from.

Good luck with your B&W printing and welcome to the forum.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com