Digital BW, The Print

"ben" <benjschneider2@...> wrote:

> I have been experimenting with the 3K printing process with one of my R1800s for some time.  My biggest problem with the process has been ink clogs, poor quality refillable cartridges, and CIS units. ...

I share your frustration with the carts.  I have not had clogs with the Eboni, but the leaky carts will definitely put air into the outlet and make for bad nozzle checks.  Your problems do sound like ink clogs, however.  The fit of the capping station, relative humidity or other variables probably explain some of the varied experiences people have with these printer-ink combinations.

 
> I have been wanting to print B&W on Silver Rag, and the new fiber based papers.  The 3K process, out of the box, will only print on matte papers. ...  So I worked out a system where I can use the OEM inks for the 3K printing process on both matte and glossy paper surfaces.


> I modified the two photo black cartridges to work in the matte black and gloss optimizer positions for glossy papers, and two matte black cartridges for the photo black, and gloss optimizer positions for the matte papers...

>I had to cut off one of the indexing pins; match it to the old matte black cartridge copying it.  It only takes a minute.  I did the same for the gloss optimizer position.

So, you're swapping the PK and MK back and forth, keeping the color capability.

If you wanted just B&W you could obviously put all these into the printer at the same time and also add a gloss optimizer spot.

The main problem I have with the Epson MK is that it is very warm.  As is clear from way back when, for my personal printing, I went to Epson pigments to tone my MIS carbons, I'm definitely not opposed to OEM inks.  I try to use the best I can buy and continue to sample various OEM and third party inks.  My use of Eboni is based on its neutrality and good dmax.  I simply have not had the clogging problems you report.  If I had, I would have dropped it long ago.

I'm forgetting the tone of the Epson PK.  The latest K3 LKs are too green/cyan for my taste.

> ...  For neutral looking prints, I set the sliders for tone at 50% neutral, and 50% cool tones. 

Keeping the color inks in there does facilitate tone control.


>...  The only thing I do not like about them is a slight bronzing, and gloss differential.  

If this were a dedicated B&W system, you would probably be able too have all the OEM inks you need in the machine for matte and glossy, while also including C, M, and GO.  You'd have to make some new profiles.  The PK could be used in the matte printing for the highlights and midtones.  In fact, I think you'd find smoother prints are made with the PK.  You really only need one MK for the 100% spot. 


> I am considering trying coatings on the prints to improve their appearance.


Premier Art Print Shield is about the best spray I've found for glossy prints.


If good carts were available, those who wanted to save more money could use OEM inks from wide format carts.  

There are lots of alternatives with these printers if one is willing to do the work.  One thing to note is that inks costs are much lower if the commercial dilute inks are avoided -- very expensive water.


Paul
www.PaulRoark.com