
A number of B&W inksets and printing workflows are discussed on my web pages.
There is no one system that will do all things for all people.
Where high-end sepia-tone reproductions are needed, MIS K4 PK, LK, and LLK glossy-compatible 100% carbon inks on Museo Silver Rag paper are what I use and recommend.
I am increasingly using Arches watercolor paper for fine art. It is likely that with 100% carbon images, the paper becomes the weakest factor in maintaining the best image quality. Arches has been around for about 500 years. I don't expect any coated or laminated substrate to do as well. This brings me the closest to the paradigm of carbon on cotton. They can even be washed if needed in the future. This is not just another inkjet print.
Note on ink mixing: As a former darkroom printer, I am accustomed to mixing my own chemicals. Custom B&W inksets are an approach that can expand our choices and lower our costs. The bulk black ink Epson sells into the Noritsu dry-lab market appears to be an excellent source of the needed inputs for B&W dye inksets. It appears to be the same in as Claria black. For colors and toning, I recommend people stay with Epson Claria carts. The quantities used in B&W are so small it's not worth buying in bulk. I've published the formulas for the clear base and LK dilution that are needed for the recommended 1400 Claria-Noritsu inkset. The mixing is easily done without a scales -- just a 10 cc syringe is accurate enough to make the 1:2 dilution.
I think this technology has significant, under-exploited potential in the B&W field.
Inkset List by Printer and Inkset Name
For a list of inksets I've made for various printers, click here. This list includes some inksets that are fairly new and that I would still recommend. It also
includes some legacy inksets that were made before we knew as much as we do now about ink longevity and
might not recommend today.
Contributions to the cause of the best B&W printing to all for the least amount of money are most appreciated.
Paul Roark
Solvang, CA, USA
www.PaulRoark.com