Digital BW, The Print

Hi! I am new here, new to digital black and white printing but  not new 
to the darkroom :) I owned and operated a custom black and white lab in 
NYC for a number of years but that was a looooong time ago but for all 
intensive purposes I am a complete newbie, especially, to this 
technology. After many years in a completely different field I have 
decided to go back to photography and after considering all of the 
difficulties of setting up a darkroom have decided to go digital. Of 
course, I was spoiled with my black and white images and would desire 
to hit the ground running with the best possible prints. :) I know, I 
know... that will not happen since there is so much to learn. But I 
guess my first question is regarding hardware... since I am starting 
from scratchm, pretty much, but do not have unlimited funds... what 
would you recommend as a starting place in terms of printers, inks, and 
paper? I realize this is a lot to ask and you have probably been here 
many times before but if there is anyone willing to work with a newbie 
like me I wouuld greatly appreciate it.
Dona

Hello Dona,

>Hi! I am new here, new to digital black and white printing but not 
>new to the darkroom.

Welcome to the forum, it's a good place to plug in.


>my first question is regarding hardware... since I am starting from 
>scratch, pretty much, but do not have unlimited funds... what 
>would you recommend as a starting place in terms of printers, inks, 
>and paper? 

Printer - First thing is what is the biggest print you want to make?
There are several sizes

Letter size printers use 8.5 x 11 paper 
  C86 and others...($99 on up)

13" printers use up to 13x19 paper 
  - 1280 (apprx $375), 2200 (apprx $650, highly recommended) 
    R1800 (not recommended), and soon to be released 2400 
    ($850) replacement for the 2200 (I've heard that 2200's are 
    increasing on Ebay now in anticipation of the new 
    2400, so will be a good time to find a good deal on one).

17" printer ($1800) uses up to 17 x 24 paper for 16 x 20 prints
  - 4000 (this is big, apprx 30" square and weighs 90 lbs.)

24" and up printers, etc - monsters, not considered "desktop" models
---------------------

Paper - Get a couple of boxes of Epson Enhanced Matte (EEM).  It's
excellent and is universally used for proof paper.  Is cheap and
available in local stores, also is very cheap at buy.com.  Is not
archival, though, so something else will be needed for final prints. 
Many choices, and they vary in many ways.  Please see the "Great Paper
Chase" article at the web link below for a description and analysis of
many of them.
-----------------------
Ink - there are several approaches to fine art BW printing, 

- Using RIP software to print using color inks
- Using RIP software to print using grayscale inks
- Using grayscale inks without a RIP
- Black Only (BO) printing 

They all have strengths and weaknesses.  BO is the quickest, cheapest
and easiest to get started but has a grainy look that resembles Tri-X
film - some like it, some don't.  Grayscale inks using the Epson
driver is also very easy but has some limitations, can be more
versatile when using RGB curves, but can be more technically
challenging.  Using QTR (a very popular and inexpensive RIP) takes a
bit more fiddling with curves and such but isn't difficult (if you're
not computer-challenged) when used with pre-written curves.

Inks made by MIS are very popular and highly recommended.  They
include the most popular black ink Eboni, and the UT series of
grayscale inks for different printers.
-----------------------

This is just a brief overview, but should get some thoughts going and
generate more questions-don't hesitate to ask.  The web link below has
a series of articles that go into some of this in greater detail.

Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm

For newbies to digital printing like Dona and myself is there a source
for definitions of some acronyms you are using?  Such as the RIP term.
 Not exactly sure of its definition.

> Ink - there are several approaches to fine art BW printing, 
> 
> - Using RIP software to print using color inks
> - Using RIP software to print using grayscale inks
> - Using grayscale inks without a RIP
> - Black Only (BO) printing 
>

Hello Tim,

>is there a source for definitions of some acronyms you are using?  
>Such as the RIP term.  Not exactly sure of its definition.
 
RIP = Raster Image Processor - software that is used instead of the
standard printer driver.  Allows controlling each individual ink. 
Puts you in control of things.

QTR = Quadtone Rip, a popular and inexpensive rip ($50).
IJC/OPM = another Rip, mid priced ($250 I think)
IP = Image Print, expensive Rip, ($495 I think, and up for larger
printers) 

EEM = Epson Enhanced Matte
PR = Photo Rag

These are some of the common ones, anyone want to add to the list?


Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm

Thanks, Clayton.  I know I will get them all down sooner or later, but 
like to do it sooner!  This is a big help.  In fact, as I get them I 
may put them in a word doc for the files section.

So keep them coming!

> 
> These are some of the common ones, anyone want to add to the list?
> 
> 
> Regards,
> Clayton
>

Thanks, Clayton.  I know I will get them all down sooner or later, but 
like to do it sooner!  This is a big help.  In fact, as I get them I 
may put them in a word doc for the files section.

So keep them coming!

> 
> These are some of the common ones, anyone want to add to the list?
> 
> 
> Regards,
> Clayton
>

Clayton - 
   Where does EEM fit in in terms of ink and paper warmth on 
your scale?  Perhaps I missed it but I didn't see it on the page anywhere. 
I realize that you treat it as a proofing paper, not on the ABC list, but
useful as a reference point nonetheless.

Thanks,
Costa

Hello Costa,

>Where does EEM fit in in terms of ink and paper warmth on 
>your scale?  Perhaps I missed it but I didn't see it on the 
>page anywhere.  I realize that you treat it as a proofing paper, 
>not on the ABC list, but useful as a reference point nonetheless.

A fresh piece starts out at W2.5 and warms up from there as it yellows
over a period of weeks.  Ink color is B3.5.  I haven't done any test
to see if the paper yellowing affects that.  I didn't run a dmax test
print but I'd guess it's probably around D4.5.

Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm