Digital BW, The Print

Jo,

Yes it can get complicated. In reality it all depends on your needs. 
It sure would help if we knew what you find the 2200 needs to be 
improved upon. 

If it is the uncontrolable color casts, then QTR will definitely help 
a lot.

If you are not happy about the gloss differential, then you can (1) 
consider another printer, (2) alternative inks, or (3) coating your 
prints.

Your need for glossy prints is, I am afraid, the holy grail for 
inkjet b/w. Things are so much better than 2 years ago, but there is 
a long way to go yet.

I would be happy to send you some example prints. Others in this 
forum would gladly do the same.

Regards.

Shilesh

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Joanne Emerson" 
<jojo_xmodel@y...> wrote:
>
> Oh my! This is starting to sound a little too complicated. What are 
> these alternative inks you are refering too? Will they work with 
the 
> Epson 2200 and gloss papers? How about the quadtone rip? I may be 
> better off shooting film and using a wet darkroom or buying the 
2400.
> Please explain.
> 
> Thnx!
> Jo
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Shilesh Jani" 
> <shileshjani@b...> wrote:
> >
> > Jo
> > 
> > Having a RIP always provides more options and control. QTR is 
> indeed 
> > great. And yes, you can play around with different inks, but be 
> > forewarned it will seriouly curtail your productivity (making 
> usable 
> > prints)initiallly. And no, I am afraid there are no proven b/w 
> inks 
> > for use with gloss type papers. That does not mean there are no 
> > alternative inks - there are many. But, you will face one of the 
> > following problems (1) gloss differential with pigment type inks 
> from 
> > MIS, InkjetMall, etc or (2) Metamerism from dye type inks from 
> Lyson
> > 
> > The 2400 (or 4800 if you want larger prints) will be such a 
> dramatic 
> > improvement over your current 2200 that you may find all the 
> messing 
> > around rather unnecessary. And yes, you can use QTR will the 
2400. 
> > 
> > For glossy, semi-glossy prints on the 2200 using Epson inks, QTR 
> will 
> > NOT reduce the pesky problem of bronzing/gloss differential. I 
> forgot 
> > to add earlier that if you are willing to spray coat (or 
laminate) 
> > your prints than the bronzing/gloss differential can be reduced 
or 
> > even eliminated. But perfecting spraying techniques is another 
PhD 
> > project.
> > 
> > I am still under the assumption that you do not want to make a 
> career 
> > out of playing with inks. Currently there are no proven third-
> party 
> > pigment type b/w inks for the 2200 which will beat the 2400 out-
of-
> > the-box in the bronzing/gloss differential area.
> > 
> > Good luck, and if you can, sign up with Tom O'Connell's monthly 
> print 
> > exchanges. You get to see a variety of inks and papers.
> > 
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBW-PrintExchanges/
> > 
> > I am working on a potential (unproven, no fade resistance data) 
> > solution with NanoChrome inks, and if you are interested in 
> playing, 
> > send me an email, and I will walk you through it.
> > 
> > Shilesh
> > 
> > --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Joanne 
> Emerson" 
> > <jojo_xmodel@y...> wrote:
> > >
> > > 
> > > Thank you, Shilesh! 
> > > 
> > > Will using a RIP provide more options for me?
> > > I have downloaded and installed a quadtone rip, are there 
> special 
> > > inks I can buy for glossy or semi gloss papers if I use this 
> > > software?
> > > 
> > > 
> > > --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Shilesh 
> Jani" 
> > > <shileshjani@b...> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Jo,
> > > > 
> > > > Welcome to this sometimes neurotic, disfunctional group.
> > > > 
> > > > I am going to assume you do NOT want to mess with loading 
your 
> > own 
> > > > inks, and playing around with RIPs, etc. Not knowing what you 
> > find 
> > > > lacking in the 2200 printer (and there are many limitations 
> > > there), I 
> > > > can tell you you have 2 options that will give you better 
> > > Gloss/Semi 
> > > > Gloss prints straight out of the box:
> > > > 
> > > > (1) Epson R2400 using the Epson Advanced Black and White 
(ABW) 
> > > mode. 
> > > > You will get better black density (Dmax) and a more neutral 
> > print. 
> > > > You can make the prints cooler, warmer, or other hues with 
> > > relative 
> > > > ease with ABW. The drawback is that there is still some 
> residual 
> > > > bronzing and gloss differential. But many people live with 
it, 
> > > quite 
> > > > happily.
> > > > (2) HP printers with their Vivera inks. Make sure you look at 
> a 
> > > model 
> > > > that supports the b/w ink cartridges. You will get excellent 
> > > gloss, 
> > > > semi-gloss prints. The drawback is that you are limited to 
the 
> > > > recommended HP papers, which are not completely water proof. 
> The 
> > > > prints dry down just fine after 24 hours.
> > > > 
> > > > One way to go about is to take a lap-top loaded with the 
> printer 
> > > > drivers for the printer (down-load from manufacturer web 
> site), a 
> > > USB 
> > > > cable, and head over to CompUsa. Ask them to hook up their 
> > display 
> > > > printers. If the manufacturer rep is around, you may not even 
> > have 
> > > to 
> > > > buy the paper for the respective printers. Try them out, and 
> see 
> > > if 
> > > > they suit your needs.
> > > > 
> > > > Hope this helps.
> > > > 
> > > > Shilesh
> > > > 
> > > > --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Joanne 
> > > Emerson" 
> > > > <jojo_xmodel@y...> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Greetings everyone!
> > > > > 
> > > > >  A photographer friend recommended this group to provide me 
> > with 
> > > > > some answers to digital printing on glossy/semi-gloss 
papers.
> > > > > 
> > > > > I'm a former model who is now working at the other end of 
> the 
> > > > camera 
> > > > > photographing other models to help them build and develop 
> their 
> > > > > books. When I shoot film I have access to a wet darkroom, 
> it's 
> > > > > messy, very time consuming but the results are quite good. 
> For 
> > > > > digital printing (Epson 2200 and high gloss/semi gloss 
> papers) 
> > > the 
> > > > > results don't compare to silver prints. But I'd prefer to 
> shoot 
> > > > > digital and print on glossy papers, since b&w gloss prints 
> are 
> > > the 
> > > > > industry standard requested by agencies for modeling 
> > portfolios. 
> > > > > 
> > > > > Can someone make some recommendations for inks that will 
> > improve 
> > > > the 
> > > > > quality of my digital prints on gloss papers. Hope to hear 
> back 
> > > > from 
> > > > > someone soon.
> > > > > 
> > > > > Have a wonderful day!
> > > > > Jo
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>