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Reccd matte paper for b/w print on Epson P800 for highest DMax ?

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Kumsa

Kumsa

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Here's the circumstances behind my question: I have a mod'ed P800 which can take alternative inks. I've decided to try out the newly available Cone Ultra HD Matte black (it's Cone carbon ink). I realize that there may be some collateral comments about moding the P800 or why I'm looking at Cone for a matte ink.

However, my interest is for a favored Matte paper or canvas. Usually, I'm working with Epson, RedRiver or BreathingColor. I have a Color Munki for creating the custom profiles. However, for the purpose of testing out a really black matte ink, I'd like to be sure my print media is taking advantage of the ink.

Thanks for any shared experience !

--
https://mynameisjack.photography
 
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Why not ask Cone Color/Inkjetmall? They work with special projects all the time.
 
The only downside to Canson papers are the price. RR’s Palo Duro Smooth Rag offers tremendous gamut and blacks for a matte paper at a tremendous price point. The paper handles inks well without muddying up the shadows and holds tremendous detail.
 
Would like to know. Just how do inkjet paper manufacturers control DMax, gamut, characteristic curve?
 
Gesture said:
Why not ask Cone Color/Inkjetmall? They work with special projects all the time.
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Jon Cone has recommended Hahnemuhle Photo Rag or Bamboo. I'm asking the question in this forum to learn what others have tried, as well.

Always lots to learn.
 
Adam2 said:
The only downside to Canson papers are the price. RR’s Palo Duro Smooth Rag offers tremendous gamut and blacks for a matte paper at a tremendous price point. The paper handles inks well without muddying up the shadows and holds tremendous detail.
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Yep. I love PDSR, too. I have some stock at hand, so I'll start with that as an example.
 
Gesture said:
Would like to know. Just how do inkjet paper manufacturers control DMax, gamut, characteristic curve?
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That’s a good question. I wish I knew the answer. I go by gamut, saturation, detail rendering, surface finish, etc. I can always use the curves tool in PS, to alter shadow/highlight separation.
 
ChicagoRob said:
Gesture said:
Would like to know. Just how do inkjet paper manufacturers control DMax, gamut, characteristic curve?
Click to expand...
That’s a good question. I wish I knew the answer. I go by gamut, saturation, detail rendering, surface finish, etc. I can always use the curves tool in PS, to alter shadow/highlight separation.
Click to expand...
I believe the way a paper manufactures controls this is to build a paper coating that can hold more ink and resist dot gain. I don't know if your printer supports this but slowing the head pass rate will allow the ink to dry some in-between allowing for more ink that will result in a greater d-max and gamut. This has been available since my Epson 7800 which I run bulk ink carts all updated Epson ink sets for greater gamut.
 
Kumsa said:
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I've been using that HD Cone ink in both MK and PK formulations for more than a year on my Epson 3880. I also have converted the K-3 yellow cart to use OEM HD Yellow. And I've had profiles made of this inkset to include the papers I almost always use for exhibition prints. All of this was one of the smarter moves I've made during the past few years.

I only like cold-press matte papers as they bring a dimensionality that's visually compelling. I try not to use glazing (unless a gallery requires it). RR Palo Duro Etching is superb. Epson Velvet is almost as impressive. Moab Entrada rag (bright and natural) work wonderfully. Be sure to spray the prints with Moab Desert Varnish or something similar as the protection is real and useful.

Hope this helps.

M
 
MiguelD said:
Kumsa said:
[deleted]
Click to expand...
I've been using that HD Cone ink in both MK and PK formulations for more than a year on my Epson 3880. I also have converted the K-3 yellow cart to use OEM HD Yellow. And I've had profiles made of this inkset to include the papers I almost always use for exhibition prints. All of this was one of the smarter moves I've made during the past few years.

I only like cold-press matte papers as they bring a dimensionality that's visually compelling. I try not to use glazing (unless a gallery requires it). RR Palo Duro Etching is superb. Epson Velvet is almost as impressive. Moab Entrada rag (bright and natural) work wonderfully. Be sure to spray the prints with Moab Desert Varnish or something similar as the protection is real and useful.

Hope this helps.

M
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Thanks, your comment on your experience w/Cone ink is exactly what I was hoping to learn.

So you are using the Cone carbon black in the PK as well as the MK cartridges ?


mynameisjack.photography

My Name is Jack

mynameisjack.photography mynameisjack.photography
 
The official papers for the Cone inks are provided at InkJetMall:

Loading…

shop.inkjetmall.com

Because I'm mixing Cone and OEM, this forum was the right place for a sanity check on making that effort.

Thanks all
 
Since you are only using the HD MK, I don't think the list of papers that work with the whole Cone Color inkset is particularly relevant. I'd suggest vetting and then choosing whatever matte paper(s) you have as part of your inventory, and then creating profiles for each of these papers. That's what I did. Even using canned profiles for a few other papers seems to work quite well.

M
 
Another vote for the new Canson “Arches” papers. Arches 88 is fabulous and has replaced several of my former favorite “smooth” matte papers. BFK Rives is a mold made textured paper. I’m using the “Pure White” version with a nice bright paper-white, yet zero OBAs.

Good stuff. Try them, you won’t be disappointed.

Rand
 
Gesture said:
Canson profiles or custom ones?
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Custom profiles can offer visible improvement, but I find that more and more the OEM profiles are (for the most part) very well done. Variability between examples in printers is also getting smaller, which helps.

Rand
 
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