Re: Fade to green in grayscale prints with color inks

[Richard Wohlfeiler <rawohlfe@cats.ucsc.edu>]

Maybe this is something different from what you are describing, but I have
noticed that quadtone images printed with epson color inks frequently
change in color over the first 24 hours or so after they emerge from the
printer. This color change stabilizes after that, however. I've experienced
it most readily when the images are printed on photo glossy paper, and, as
others have noted at various times, the same file can have a different
color cast when printed on different papers. I get consistently warmer
results with epson ink on epson photo paper, a very good match to my
monitor, but there is a pronounced greenish cast when the same image is
printed on Kodak glossy photo paper. While this greenish tint seems to be
retained overall, I find that the next day warmer tones have emerged,
giving middle and light tones a very pleasing complexity. I've learned to
anticipate this effect to the point where I'm no longer befuddled by the
disturbingly mismatched print that first comes out of my printer (a 1520),
and I know that a day or so later the image will settle into what I was
actually after. I'm starting to think that the result is ultimately richer
than what I get on the more predictable epson glossy photo paper, which
generally looks "right" almost immediately. I don't find this delayed
effect unworkably problematic, but rather as an aspect of the art (rather
than the science) of digital printing. We all would like a consistent
adjustment to compensate for these color shifts, but this will vary
according to the image, its distribution of lights, middle tones, darks,
textures, details, overall quality of light, etc.

I suspect that this color change on some papers has more to do with the
complete drying of the ink rather than fading colors, which I doubt would
occur so quickly. The drying process probably continues past the point
where the ink is dry to the touch, as is the case with many other mediums.

Richard Wohlfeiler



>>Does anybody have a problem of black and white
>images printed with Epson
>>color inks turning very green within only 3 or 4
>DAYS?  Is this a bad
>>ink cartridge, or an incompatible paper problem?
>The color prints
>>haven't faded yet.  Thank all of you for your
>continuing help. I really
>>appreciate it
>
>>Jerry
>
>I have noticed this problem too but less so with
>the epson papers.  I believe of course that the
>color prints are fading just as fast, it's not
>just as obvious.  The magenta inks are fading the
>quickest making the print green.


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