How to make a dedicated 3880 BW ink jet...is it even worth it?

[invisibleflash]

Can the 3880 Epson be turned into a dedicated BW printer that does not use the rest of the color ink in the lineup?

If so, would I see a big difference to the positive by the all BW ink switch?

Thanks

[David R Munson]

I haven't used it so can't comment on whether or not it would be worth it, but you could always go for the Piezo inks. (see http://www.piezography.com/PiezoPress/)

[Ken Lee]

You can use the Quadtone RIP to get what you want using Epson inks.

You might also find this article helpful: it shows a way to use the QTR to make Carbon pigment prints which exceed the image quality and archival longevity obtainable with standard Epson drivers and inks.

Alternately, this article might prove helpful. It tells how to use standard Epson inks to make toned monochrome images.

[mdm]

The native epson blacks are greenish on their own, but it can be done very easily with QTR.

[karl french]

I think the Advanced Black and White software that comes with the Epson does a fine job as well with the standard ink set.

[invisibleflash]

Thanks, will check out the links.

[Lenny Eiger]

Cone ink is magic. Wonderful stuff.

Lenny

[GG12]

Have used Imageprint for many years, with Epsons, now with 4900. With (a) RIP, you can get good quality BW, better than the Epson settings. More precise, more balanced. They are credible BW prints.

With Cone Piezography, its a whole other ball game - and you can get exceptional prints. Not good, but jaw dropping. Depends how far you want to go.

[Ian David]

The Piezography inks are very good.

[paulr]

If you use QTR it doesn't have to be a dedicated bw printer. That's what's so great about that system. You'll get even better quality from the piezo inks, it will have to be a dedicated piezography printer, and you won't have the flexibility of toning that you get with qtr. If you want the best quality possible, and want a specific, unchanging print color, piezo makes sense.