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Author Topic: B&W printing question  (Read 7162 times)

how786

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B&W printing question
« on: January 28, 2006, 05:53:51 pm »

I have an Epson 1800. I also have an old 1280. I've been told that there is a way to make better B&W prints on the 1280 than on the 1800 using some type of 'special inks'.
(A friend told me this but knew no details)
  Is this true?
  Could I get input as to the best way to print B&W with these printers?
  Thanks much
   Howard
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keithrsmith

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B&W printing question
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2006, 04:42:03 am »

A number of manufacturers make B&W ink sets for the 1280. By using 6 tones of grey you can get very deep blacks and super tonal range.

look at
http://www.inkjetmall.com/store/piezok7/piezo-k7-inks.html

http://www.permajet.com/

http://www.inksupply.com/ut2-1280.cfm


http://www.lyson.com/quad-black-tone.html

keith
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gr82bart

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B&W printing question
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2006, 08:05:17 am »

How you convert to B&W can also make a difference. Invest in some time looking at how you are making this conversion. Here's a site that shows caparisons to different techniques: Northlight Images by Keith Cooper

And here's a conversion method that is within the ASMP work in progress files of UPDIG: Custom Greyscale Conversions by David Reichs

You may be able to get the results you need with the ink and hardware you have already. Hope that helps.

Art.
« Last Edit: January 29, 2006, 08:05:54 am by gr82bart »
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how786

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B&W printing question
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2006, 08:40:09 am »

Thanks guys! I appreciate the help.

1-Could you guys recommend one particular ink set?
2-"Convert" to B&W? I am not converting but scanning B&W negs. Were you referring to converfting difital camera images?
3-Also, using special inks is the 1280 better than the 1800 for B&Ws?

Appreciate the help
Howard
« Last Edit: January 29, 2006, 08:45:56 am by how786 »
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gr82bart

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B&W printing question
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2006, 09:33:22 am »

Quote
2-"Convert" to B&W? I am not converting but scanning B&W negs. Were you referring to converfting difital camera images?
I assumed, my bad. So how you scan will also affect your final print. Here's another link to read up on: http://www.butzi.net/articles/colorscan.htm This isn't yet within the WIP files of UPDIG, but it should be. The scanning section of UPDIG is very weak at this stage.

Additionally, ensure you have calibrated your scanner, if you're scanning in colour as recommended and converting to greyscale later.

As for ink, I have only used Epson ink for my 2200.

Regards, Art.
« Last Edit: January 29, 2006, 01:38:06 pm by gr82bart »
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how786

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B&W printing question
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2006, 11:29:29 am »

Great info!
Thank you Art.
Howard
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how786

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B&W printing question
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2006, 11:44:56 am »

Dear Art,

  I read thru the Butzi article. He tempers his conclusions by stating that they are probably scanner/model dependant. I'm using a Nikon 9000 scanner.  He was using a flatbed.  Also, I'd never heard anything about calibrating my scanner itself.
I've read about monitor calibration but not scanner.
  Could you tell me how I actually calibrate my scanner?
  Thanks
  Howard
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gr82bart

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B&W printing question
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2006, 12:26:37 pm »

Quote
Could you tell me how I actually calibrate my scanner?
Basically, you will need an IT8/Q60 target and calibration software (Gretag Macbeth or Monaco for example). You will use the target to create a custom ICC profile for your scanner. This profile will allow you to 'adjust' your basic colour recipe settings after scanning to correct for any shifts due to the scanner.

B&W Scanner Calibration Guide

You can get Kodak targets directly from Kodak or B&H in NYC.

Note that inexpensive flatbed scanners like the Epson 4990 PRO (not PHOTO model) have Monaco calibration software and the IT8 targets included. You would need the transparent target if you are scanning film.

There's also a inexpensive scanner calibration software called VueScan. I have never used this, so I can't vouch for it, but I have read many good things about this product.

Enjoy, Art.
« Last Edit: January 29, 2006, 12:58:56 pm by gr82bart »
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how786

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B&W printing question
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2006, 09:18:02 pm »

Thank you Art.
Howard
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how786

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B&W printing question
« Reply #9 on: January 30, 2006, 10:41:18 am »

Well, I'm still trying to research this issue. Someone told me that none of the 3rd party inks are archival. Is this true?
 I assume that some of you guys are already using 3rd party for B&W prints. Could you help me out?  
Thanks
Howard
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dbell

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B&W printing question
« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2006, 12:15:43 pm »

Quote
Well, I'm still trying to research this issue. Someone told me that none of the 3rd party inks are archival. Is this true?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=57104\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

No. At least the MIS (inksupply.com) Ultratone inks are archival.
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how786

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B&W printing question
« Reply #11 on: February 12, 2006, 12:43:03 am »

Followup: I gave up trying to do B&W with the 1280. Sometimes I'd get very nice rpints, especially with BO. However, most fo the time I experienced head clogs using the MIS inks on the 1280. It became far too annoying to deal with.
 Howard
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Eric Myrvaagnes

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B&W printing question
« Reply #12 on: February 12, 2006, 10:19:49 am »

Quote
Followup: I gave up trying to do B&W with the 1280. Sometimes I'd get very nice rpints, especially with BO. However, most fo the time I experienced head clogs using the MIS inks on the 1280. It became far too annoying to deal with.
 Howard
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=57985\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I have used MIS pigment inks on my Epson 2200 with few problems. The summer before last, I was away for three weeks, and I had some bad head clogs when I came home. I tried a few cleaning cycles, then waited a day, and did a few more. I was almost ready to junk the printer, when it finally cleared up. Since then I have very rarely had clogs, and when I do, they are fixed with a couple of cleaning cycles at most. I do try to print something at least once a week to keep the printer happy, but sometimes it goes a couple of weeks. From all I hear, the MIS inks are no worse than the Epson inks in that regard (but you can't use Epson profiles with MIS inks).

As for B&W prints, I have been very happy with the inexpensive Quadtone RIP and its QTRGUI front end.

Eric
« Last Edit: February 12, 2006, 10:24:43 am by EricM »
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