Digital Black &White
Printing Information Index
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.
My Current Preferences
1. "Carbon on Cotton"
100% carbon pigments and cotton-based matte papers are my top choices for wall display
and when long term image stability is needed. No other pigments come close to the lightfastness
of 100% carbon pigments. I use and recommend this medium for fine art and museum work.
For photographers interested in printing with carbon, see
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Eboni-6.pdf for the 1400
and
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/1100-Eb4.pdf for the 1100, which sets the mark for value.
I also run Eboni-6 in my 7800.
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.
2. Claria & Epson-Noritsu Advanced Dyes
For cards, brochures, snapshots, and most situations where the image is not under glass, advanced dyes
on glossy paper are what I now use. Here the emphasis is high visual impact and physical durablility
when being handled.
The lightfastness of these advanced dyes is not in the same league as carbon pigments, but it is
very good for the intended uses, and, with a protective spray, the medium
approaches the Epson UltraChrome level of lightfastness. Using QuadToneRip to control the Epson 1400 with
Epson's Claria and Noritsu inks installed is my current project. See
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/1400-Claria-BW.pdf.
With an easily mixed "LK" added, a dedicated B&W inkset can be made with the these inks, and
the Epson driver also becomes a viable way to print good B&W with the dyes. This current, dedicated
B&W approach appears to be the best way for B&W photographers to get top quality output
with very easy mixing. See
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/1400-Claria-Noritsu-2K2LK.pdf.
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.
Help Keep My Open Source Ink Formulas and Profiles Open and Free
Contributions to the cause of the best B&W printing to all for the least amount of money
are most appreciated.
Links to Other Topics
Workflow Notes;
"Carbon on Cotton" for best image stability and low cost;
Why Dyes;
MIS 100% carbon pigment inksets;
-- Eboni-6 for smoothness;
-- Eboni-6 details, including for the 1400;
Ink Mixing, including for Carbon-6, HP, and dyes; for former darkroom workers and others so inclined;
High Sierra B&W Workshop at the historic Golden Trout Camp;
Paul's Gallery and Home Page
For my gallery of B&W photos and other information not related to the above inksets,
click here.
Paul Roark
Solvang, CA, USA
www.PaulRoark.com