Digital BW, The Print

Thanks Paul. I will start to set up the ink and printer using your 
suggestions.

I find there is still a need for B&W inkjet printing onto a more glossy 
paper than pure matte surface - satin or semi-glossy. Sometimes I feel 
we may be should revisit dye-based ink for b&w printing.

Thanks,
Philip

pr_roark wrote:
>
> Philip,
>
> > I was reading your writing about Carbon-6 just a
> > few minutes ago and starting realize my example of mix
> > might be too dark.
> >
> > So the better mixes can be:
> > 3 shades: 100% PK, 33% PK 10% PK
> > 4 shades: 100% PK, 33% PK, 10% PK, 3.3% PK
> > 6 shades: 100% PK, 33% PK, 16.7% PK, 8.3% PK, 4.2% PK, 2.1%PK
> >
>
> In the C6 mix I used 33% MK for the darkest mix. This was selected due
> to the ease of mixing. It would allow those who did not have scales
> more easily mix the inkset. Since it was close to the usual
> darkest "traditional" B&W dilution of 30% MK, I figured it's work well,
> and it does in older printers. However, note that I've reverted to a
> 30% Eboni mix for the k3 printers. It turns out the 33% is too dark
> for k3 printers and some papers. It results in inadequate separation
> or even posterization in the deep shadows when the Epson driver is
> used. It appears this is caused by the k3 gray substitution
> algorithm. The 33% mix works fine in the k2 printers.
>
> This may not affect you at all with PK and if you're not using the
> Epson driver, but it illustrates something important.
>
> While 30% is the usual dilution of PK to make LK, etc., and 30% MK is
> the "traditional" B&W darkest mix, this 30% mix is a considerably
> higher load than LK. The LK density can be mixed from MK if about 18%
> MK is used.
>
> In terms of print density, however, to put the LK (18% MK) in
> perspective, recall that the dilution-ratio to print-density curve is
> very non-linear as the pigment load gets high. Actually, this curve is
> very non-linear at both ends. That explains how a 2% dilution can
> cover about 25% of the print range.
>
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com
>
>