Volunteers wanted for new Piezography product concept
2010-04-12 by piezobw
George Ingram and I have decided to go ahead and produce an experimental dual quad Piezography system for his R1800 printer. The concept behind this new Piezography system is to offer an alternative to BO as a B&W only system for Epson R1800 and R1900 printers that will be used with QTR and Piezography designed curves. Four sets of Piezography "quad tone" inks will be made in the encapsulated pigment format that share the exact same L values in each shade position. A single set of Piezography made curves will be provided so that a single media curve can be used no matter which quad ink set is inserted into the printer. I will make the media curves using the Piezography profiler. The four quad ink sets will be Sepia, Warm Neutral, Neutral, and Selenium. There will be a black, dark gray, med gray, and light gray of each. Two sets will be installed in a printer at one time. By using two curves, QTR can be used to blend the two quad ink sets in proportions of 0-100% separately in highlights, mid-tones and shadows. The inks can also be blended in the same proportions, and each of the quad ink sets can also be used separately if only one curve is selected. The user can print straight, blend or split tone as a result with nearly an infinitude of possibility. Although the most effect will be gained by using complimentary tones such as Sepia or Warm Neutral against Selenium or Neutral, for those who tend towards only making warm prints the two sets chosen to be inserted in the printer could be Sepia and Warm Neutral. Likewise, Neutral and Selenium could be used. The combinations will be up to the user. QTR allows the saving or recording of settings and it is anticipated that ink "recipes" that include complex curve % proportions can be shared amongst enthusiasts. Likewise, because the L values of a particular shade will be in tight specification, a user can custom mix inks within a bottle as long as they blend the same shade of an ink set with the same shade of another ink set. This combined with curves % will make for a potentially autographic printmaking system. I would like to do this project with a group of volunteers that currently use their R1800 or R1900 printers for any form of black ink only printing to see if it is a viable system for introduction. I have not supported fewer than six ink shades since about 2004, although I produced quad ink sets as far back as the early 1990s. I would supply the volunteer testers with the four new ink sets in 2oz bottle formats along with four sets of refillable cartridges. While I will try and get some paper support from one or two of the popular paper companies, the costs of paper may end up being the responsibility of the volunteer. The inks and carts will not. I plan to produce media profiles for Canson, Premier and will try and get some media support from them for the volunteers. The end goal will be a portfolio exchange complete with documentation of the curves formulas so that an exchange of technique and ideas occurs amongst the participants who will then be able to see the rich possibilities afforded by the system. The outfitting of the printer is not permanent, and the printer can be returned to its prior use whether for BO or Color. For those who are currently using black ink only (of any design) on an Epson R1800 or R1900 printer and are interested in participating, please send me by mail one or two 8.5x11 prints of your current technique with explanation of your process. I would like to get a diverse group into the mix. I will begin this project in May and will probably limit the group to 10 - 12 members including myself and George. If this proves successful, I will do a matte/gloss similar test system on the Epson 2880 in the early Summer. This may open the way to similar products on all of the currently supported printers - and perhaps segue into additional products for printers such as the new Workforce 1100 if quad black quality is received well. Please contact me off list for my mailing address. Regards, Jon Cone Piezography