Re: Digital negatives for gum printing-Epson 1160

[Lee Carmichael <click76112@home.com>]

In regards to the unavailability of the 1160, one might consider the Epson
3000.  I believe that printer uses the same ink delivery system.  I know I
know it cost more but, if it is the last one cost is not an issue, now, is
it?

Lee Carmichael
mailto:click76112@home.com
new to the list
----- Original Message -----
From: <Ender100@aol.com>
To: <alt-photo-process-l@skyway.usask.ca>
Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2001 12:29 PM
Subject: Re: Digital negatives for gum printing-Epson 1160


> In a message dated 8/4/01 2:07:31 AM, jseigel@panix.com writes:
>
> << CIS is also wont to leaks, spills, tilts, air bubbles, spits & fits --
not
> a LOT maybe, but risk is always there.  And if your space is tight, I
> believe you need more surface to set the set on, and it's got to be at the
> right level... no layering or high rises. Advice has been, unless you're
> into production printing, the CIS is overkill.  However, if the piezo
> quads are indeed as fine as Joe & others say, that would again change the
> equation. >>
>
> The fact that the 1160 is a four ink printer is a real advantage.... it
may
> be the last one we see from Epson, since, as you say, they seem to be set
on
> the 6 ink printers.  The 1160 also has the maximum printing area of the
> "desktop size" printers.
>
> One problem with the 1160 of course is that it is no longer being
> manufactured and very hard to find.  Once you do find one, you have to
> understand that it is not a sure thing that it will work properly.  You
may
> get one of those individual printers that is prone to "microbanding".  In
> this case I am referring to the microbanding that is caused by the
inaccuracy
> of the paper feed, not a blocked jet... I have an Epson 2000p and the
prints
> from it are beautiful...I never get microbanding, regardless of the paper
I
> use.  There are some possible fixes for this, such as ordering different
> tension springs for the printer (I think John Cone offers these), using a
> paper with a different thickness, prayer....
>
> For the above reason, I would suggest that if someone wants to try
quadtones,
> they should locate an 1160 first and then:
>
> 1.  test it with the Epson inks on the papers you want to use...see if you
> get any microbanding, clogs, etc...if it looks ok....then go to step 2.
> (Remember that these desktop printers, regardless of what company, have a
> certain percentage of failure rate.  With Quad inks, Piezography, CIS
system,
> different papers, you are increasing the chance that the printer will
fail.
> Since the 1160 is in such short supply you have less chance of finding a
> replacement.)
>
> 2.  Try a quadtone inkset.....if you are going to try the Piezography
> system... (www.inkjetmall.com)
>
> 3.  Order the Piezography driver with just the Piezography cartridges.  If
> that works....
>
> 4.  If you want to save money and plan to print a LOT...get the CIS
> system.... it really does work pretty well and it is not that difficult to
> set up and is pretty easy to maintain.  Some people have had problems with
> the "pressure" of the ink in the lines, which they adjust by raising or
> lowering the bottles a few inches.  The CIS system is neat... you can save
a
> LOT of money by using it.  Once you have used all the ink in the bottles,
you
> have already paid for it by not having to buy expensive cartridges.
>
> 5.  If all goes well, then pray the 1160 lasts a long time, because you
> probably will not be able to transfer the driver and CIS system to another
> printer...unless it is an 1160 due to the 4 ink system... so maybe buy 2
of
> them if you find some.  Also, be sure you have the most recent driver from
> Epson for the printer.... they can be downloaded from Epson.  Don't assume
> because you have purchased a new printer that it has the most recent
> driver...it may have been sitting on a shelf somewhere for a long time.
>
> I think if I were going to get a desktop printer for making digital
> negatives, I would get an Epson 1280 and start there.  Epson is a good
> product and considered the best in the price range for photo reproduction.
>
> Actually the expert in all this is right on this list... Dan Burkholder.
He
> has experimented more than anyone I know of and, as you know, written the
> book on it.  I think he is about to come to some conclusions on the value
of
> the Piezography system and quadtone inksets in making digital negatives.
> Maybe just wait to see what he says.
>
> I am still curious about what difference using dye based inks vs. pigment
> inks might have on rendering a negative.  Is it possible that a dye based
> inkset might make better negatives for some alt processes while pigment
based
> inksets might work better for others?  Are dye based inks more
translucent?
> Would this issue relate to the recent discussion about laser printer
> generated negatives working better with gum printing?
>
> Mark Nelson
>
> PS:  Is anyone going to the APA trade show at Rosemont, IL this coming
week?
> A lot of these vendors will be there.  I'm not a member, but hope to
attend
> and see some of the latest toys and ask some of the digital imaging gurus
> there some questions.  I'll buy you a cup of coffee.
>
>
>
>