Re: generic inks

["Sam A. McCandless" <samcc@vom.com>]

>[snip] I could really use some advice... Is there a source of high 
>quality archival (pigmented?) inks that would replace the Epson 
>cartridges and give similar print performance. Thanks in advance to 
>all who will be kind enough to reply.

Linda already put Margery onto some of MediaStreet.com's products, 
and Kendall already mentioned InkJetArt.com (by their other address) 
as a source of all sorts of information and products, so I'm writing 
partly to add MIS (InkSupply.com) to Margery's provider mix.

I got two of NoMoreCarts.com's CIS units, one from MediaStreet 
because it was bundled at a savings with their Gen4 inkset, and one 
from InkJetArt, where it was less expensive because they paid the 
shipping. I think the CIS accessories were also less expensive at 
InkJetArt.com. Not that I'm sure Margery will print enough for even 
the best deal on a CIS to be a good deal for her.

After I installed the Gen4 inks, I realized from a thread or threads 
on the ArchivalColor list (at Yahoo) that there have been some 
problems with Gen4 prints fading quickly in direct sunlight. Where of 
course they shouldn't have been. But still the problem can be 
addressed at least partially by replacing the hybrid/blended 
pigment-and-dye Gen4 black with MediaStreet's Outdoor pigment black 
(which I believe is the Gen3 black). So I think I will before I have 
that printer profiled for my favorite papers, Epson Archival Matte 
(being re-named E. "Enhanced" Matte) and Crane's Museo. EAM/EEM is 
inexpensive but not acid-free. Museo is lovely, if expensive, and 
brightner-free as well as acid-free. And proofs for a Museo print can 
be printed on EAM/EEM.

In addition to profiling, both some restriction in gamut and not 
being able to use many if any glossy papers easily or satisfactorily 
comes along with pigmented inks. But if Margery can live with a less 
archival dye-based inkset, then I think either MediaStreet's clone or 
MIS's clone of the Epson inks would serve her well and less 
expensively, even in carts instead of a CIS. Decisions, decisions, 
... .

And in the meantime, even Epson's carts (and Epson's papers) might be 
less expensive at Atlex.com than wherever Margery has been getting 
them.

Sam

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