PSW EST: 1972

* PhotoSnowdonia Workshops *

and the

Zone 8 Photographic Society EST: 1977

PRESIDENT: Bruce Alexander Carter, FZPS . . . . FIRST & PAST PRESIDENT: Kenneth A Nelson, Hon.FZPS

 

INFORMATION

ARTICLES

For all enquiries

Updated: Monday 22 May, 2006 21:46 (Webpage updated but not content)

INKS AND MEDIA FOR DIGITAL PRINTING

* We recommend and use compatible ink cartridges by PrintRite, which are available via secure online or telephone ordering from eSunrise who offer an excellent range at very competitive prices and are based in the UK (Please mention us if enquiring or ordering - we do not get commission) Chipped cartridges also at incredible savings! We use these ourselves in preference to all others. They can offer cartridges for all Epson plus Canon and HP printers. Secure online ordering with fast delivery. Their website prices INCLUDE P&P in the UK.

* IMPORTANT NOTE RE ORDERING CARTRIDGES! If you connect to the eSunrise site using the link, whilst you will be fully able to browse the site, you will not be able to make secure online orders. If you want to place secure online orders, you MUST get to the site by TYPING this link into your address (URL) panel. Just "select", copy and paste - then add site to your Favourites or Bookmark.

http://www.esunrise.co.uk

We additionally recommend Abitech Inks for high quality inks and cartridges, to international ISO standards and for free delivery to anywhere in Europe

This information was basically updated in 2004 but far more detailed information is posted for members on their FORUM. One problem is that later printers, including Epson, now use colour inks to print B+W so the choice of inks and paper is much more important for life of the image and these aspects are covered and updated for members, including Continuous Inking Systems and Permanent Inksets

There is a lot of information about types and makes of paper for the production of photographic quality prints via inkjet printers, specifically models in the Epson range. Additionally, there is also a great deal of discussion, claims, research and the like on the various comparative values and light fastness, or otherwise, of different inks - often referred to as ink sets.

Test results have been quoted only later to be modified, sometimes drastically in adverse manner, so it is a bit of a minefield for anyone seeking quality information on what base media and inks to employ, if seeking long lasting images in digital form.

I think, from my own research, that the base media is by far the most important part of the equation. From what test results have been reasonably settled, even claimed archival inks would appear to be severely compromised if the media used is one of the claimed "photographic" papers. Examples are "papers" by Epson (Epson Photo Paper), Olmec, Ilford, Kodak and so on. There are many varieties of make and surface finishes and a lot of information on how they compared for longevity. Not just as a material but how they react to the inks used too. Bronzing seems to affect many photo-gloss materials! (Where a sort-of surface bronze appearance appears on shadow values). However, see later comments about Jessops Satin photo paper, which we can recommend.

In basic terms, to achieve the longest image life, it really is necessary to use an acid-free base paper. There are many watercolour papers (and acid-free cartridge papers too) available, in various weights, that can satisfy these requirements. I personally do not think there is a lot between the different makes in real terms, so it is probably better to get what is available from a local art shop. It is often cheaper, in the long run, to enquire about any special purchase offers.

As one example, the Winsor & Newton "Cotman" watercolour papers, easily available in the UK, can be obtained in packs of 25 sheets at around half the normal one-sheet rate in an Artists Supply shop. As a guide, in the UK, one sheet of most art watercolour papers is around the £3.00 mark, meaning a cost of £1.50 or so for an A3+ size piece to print on, or around 75p for a quarter sheet for images around 11"x14", though corner and other watermarks and embossings have to be allowed for, depending on each make.

Cartridge papers can also work well, are much cheaper, can be in quite heavy weights in variety of finishes and at considerable savings over watercolour paper prices. These are also acid free!

At the present time 25 sheets of the Cotman Cold Pressed (NOT) watercolour paper, which is a high quality thick material, 140 lbs weight, with a rough textured surface is available in this pack size for an individual sheet price of around £2.00 - a very good saving indeed. The hot pressed papers are often of lighter weight, e.g.: 90 lbs, and offer a smooth surface but with a less rigid and thinner base.

An excellent heavyweight and inexpensive material is the W&N Bristol Board (acid and wood free) available in various A-sized pads.

Personal preferences will come into play as regards requirements and aesthetic appreciation of each individual as to what they seek for their print output. The interesting thing to me is that years ago, I made some Platinum prints and used watercolour paper for the base to coat with the emulsion. Things have come round almost a full circle! I must admit that my printing now closely resembles prints made via the Platinum process, so I am well pleased with the progress I have made with my personal digital printing techniques and am now prepared to place such images alongside my conventionally produced ones.

An interesting thought is that when I was young (!) Bromoil was considered "not photography" but "playing around with muck oils". It amuses me to hear die-hard photographers deriding digital work whilst praising Bromoil as a "traditional photographic technique". The end result, in both cases, is an image formed with ink! They are obviously much younger than me and lacking in real knowledge or experience of what photography is all about. I believe in the statement that "all art is the same" in being a personal expression through a chosen media, whether music, painting, photography, sculpting, etc. etc. etc. In any event, what is "Art" to one is "Art with a capital F" to another! (A superb original quote by: Ken Nelson, President of the Zone 8 Photographic Society)

So, what of the ink - or ink sets - to use? There are many differing thoughts about this important matter.

On our web site is a page with Links to other useful sites. For inkjet information, I would suggest those with Internet access should subscribe to the online newsletter by Royce Bair - this link also being on our Links page. Here you will get all the latest information on ink and paper research and test results plus useful articles.

Basically, inks comprise those based on Dyes and Pigments. The latest Epson printers, such as the A3+ Epson 1270/1280/1290 use special stable dye inks from Epson, in special non-refillable cartridges with an incorporated microchip. Epson are claiming 10+ years life for images even on their plasticised Photo Paper and longer for their new range of base materials. However, several adverse reports (especially in high ozone areas) seems to indicate all is not well! The even later Epson 2000, using pigmented inks, claims life expectancy of around 200 years! However, again, this seems to only be if a special Epson paper is used with these inks.

Royce Bair's Company now offer pigmented ink sets for the previously dye-ink-only Epsons, like the 1200, 1160 and 1270/80/90 models.

Interestingly, the British manufacturer, Lyson, claim long life for their dye based inks, provided these are used on the right base materials. Full information on test results from the link to Royce Bair's company site. In general, it is claimed that dye inks give a wider range of colours and tones than the claimed more permanent pigmented ones. I suppose you "pays your money and takes your choice" according to need.

My own personal experience is that using PrintRite compatible black and colour inks have shown absolutely no signs of any fading at all, despite being displayed in the worst possible place in terms of strong lighting and even sunlight. Even a watercolour would have shown some fading in these conditions. Obviously, I do not advocate using such locations for long term but it seems to indicated a good life expectancy if sensible display locations are used.

One problem I have noticed with many alternative "archival" inks is the image appearance. Although using different grey inks - in the Quadtone systems, to replace the colour cartridge in such printers as the Epson Photo-Ex and 3000 for example to get tonal gradation in B+W prints - whilst the general gradation is nice and smooth, the print looks like a conventionally "wet" processed print made on a soft grade. Lovely gradation BUT where's the BLACK?

During this time, I have noticed some deterioration of test prints on inexpensive Coated Inkjet Paper as too on Epson Photo Paper - and these were kept away from light in good, dry conditions. So, my general advice is sort the base material first and worry about the inks later. I think fading problems are more due the additional two paler colour inks in the Epson Photo printers, which have five colours plus black. The black ink on its own, which is perfectly feasible to use for B+W work with the 850 and 1200/1160 printers - also 870 & 1270/80/90 - would appear to be far more stable anyway, so I really do not think it is a very important issue compared to the base media employed.

Anyway, keep an eye on developments and subscribe to Royce's newsletter to keep right up to date and watch our own web site for updated information and links.

Colour compatible inks? They are much cheaper. Are they any good? It seems to depend on whose you use. All colour inks are suspect to some lesser or greater extent. My own experience with the compatible colour ink (PrintRite) from eSunrise in the UK has been very satisfying. Apart from the slight adjustment to colour balance via PhotoShop, mentioned in an article on the web site and in the article on getting the onscreen and print output to look the same, have found them extremely good and very stable, whereas several made using the original Epson colour cartridge have faded - all being on the same coated inkjet paper and displayed in similar locations now for a couple of years.

B+W compatible inks? Several ZPS members have used (on my recommendation), for some time, the very inexpensive PrintRite inks (both Black and Colour Cartridges) from eSunrise and have been very satisfied. Member Ralph Soar had two prints accepted for the ZPS Millennium Exhibition made using this black ink, so image quality is fine. I use it myself for all B+W prints and on art materials (as distinct from plasticised inkjet materials, ensuring image stability, being wood and acid free base) there has been no fading on any displayed work. One cartridge is almost a sixth or less of the Epson black ink price. Buy three or more at a time and make even greater cost savings!

One special mention for Jessops own Satin photo paper. In UK is currently available (A3 - packet of 20 sheets) for £14.99. Prints (colour and B+W using PrintRite inks) that have been on display for over three years show no signs of fading, so can be recommended for prints where a more "conventional photographic image look" is desired.

Check the PrintRite website for more details and specifications. http://www.print-rite.com

I would caution any one using other than PrintRite cartridges as I have had reports from several members of having to pa for high servicing costs due some makes clogging their printer! One in particular appears to be lethal for Epsons!

Any comments/feedback would be appreciated, especially if you have anything interesting to report in terms of life expectancy of images via inkjet printers

  Above article is not to be reproduced in part or whole without written permission but you can print it out for your personal use

ZPS Members can read more on inks and materials on the Forum! This is where updates now appear, though for the non-Internet connected, details are included in Newsletters.

© Brian SL Allen - 2004 ©

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