Bronzing/gloss differential on R3000 with IRK4-nano ink

[Clement04]

Hi,

I bought IRK4-nano from InkRepublic. For now, I didn't replace all cartrigdes, so the IRK4 inks is mixed with Epson inks. This problem appeared as soon as I replaced the Photo Black ink (it's the one I replaced first).

On pearl paper (Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl paper), I'm experiencing strong bronzing/gloss differential (see picture below) on dark black areas (ABW prints). Same problem with some cheap glossy paper. On Harman GLOSS ART FIBRE, it is less of a problem but it's still here. As long as there are no strong black areas, everything is fine.

Here is a comparison between a print with Epson ink (left) and with IRK-4 ink (right). As you can see, the strong black areas are looking strange on some specific light angle. Do you call this bronzing, or glosss differential? It's quite obvious when you look at the picture, even when not looking for it.

[Seems I can't post image here, but look for my old post "Bronzing on R3000 with IRK4-nano ink on pearl paper" on dpreview to see the picture]

Currently, I'm using:
MK: Epson
PK: InkRepublik
LK: InkRepublik
LLK: InkRepublik
C: Epson
LC: Epson
VM: Epson
VLM: InkRepublik
Y: Epson

Note that I'm pretty sure I have run enough prints since installing the new PK cartridge to ensure most of the previous InkRepublic ink has been purged.
I e-mailed InkRepublic, they sent me a new bottle of PK with new ink formula (after 2012 July) but it didn't change anything.

I know some of you are happy with IRK4 inks (pharmacist?), so I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong. Has any of you experienced the same thing? Any suggestion?

Cheers
Clment.

 

[Tin Ho]

Just saw this post from you here. I am wondering how bad the bronzing is. There is no picture to see it. I used an Epson R2880 that used the same 8 colors of ink shown in your post. I don't remember having a bronzing issue. The ink was from Hobbicolors. The cartridges were from ebay from a HK seller. The printer belongs to a club and is used by about a 100 members. I believe the set of original OEM cartridges are still full of ink only partially used. The paper used must included a dozen or more varieties. I don't remember hearing complaints about bronzing. I don't know how many members printed with glossy papers. I don't print on glossy paper myself. I don't have the paper you use. The printer is not with me at the moment. I was the member setting up refilling for the club. So if there is an issue I would be among the first few to know. I have never heard anyone talking about bronzing. Well, most members are amateurs. I would like to explore the potential of printing on glossy paper on the R2880 myself. I am interested to learn how bad the bronzing issue is to avoid wasting on paper. I have seen bronzing by dye inks. The prints were unacceptable. Thanks.

 

[The Hat]

Clement04

Bronzing can become a real issue on some photo gloss papers when using 3rd party inks,
however a fellow member of our wonderful forum can up with what he reckons to be the answer.

He has made this great video of just how he went about curing the bronzing problem on his Epson printers
and I reckon it may be of help to you also, enjoy please.

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?fo...=9iRUoUwwSlA&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13657124900642

 

[jtoolman]

Clement04 I see that you had also replaced the Light Magenta and even though the blacks may also be contributing to the gloss diferential and Bronzing, the biggest culprits are the both Magentas!

In the video I am using a method long used by Jon Cone from inkjetmall for their all black Piezography prints.

Even PURE OEM inks will still present some instances of GD and or Bronzing so by running all my pigment prints through my dedicated 1400 loaded with only Gloss Differential, I can produce a 100% even gloss, luster or satin surface with better than OEM results, using even OCP inks.

Joe

PS: Thanks Brian!

 

[Clement04]

Thank for the link I'll look at it soon.
An image can be seen here (I can't post any real link or image since I'm a newbie here):
imageshack.us/a/img809/3532/r00148752.jpg

Thanks,
Clment

 

[Clement04]

The video is interesting, but I cant't afford another printer for this.
InkRepublic is providing a good support to solve the problem, they are about to send me IRK2/IRK3 inks to try out. I'll keep you aprised.

Clment

 

[jtoolman]

Well other that going with OEM inks or CONE inks which are probably the best 3rd party inks for glossiness ( Expensive ) but even those inks will still have problems, small, but still detectable.

The overprinting of Gloss Optimizer over the just printed print, is the only way to solve this.
Yes, you can spray certain materials over the print but the you are dealing with many a variable as far as evenness of application, amount of the material and dust landing on the wet surface.
Sorry but there simply is no other solution I have found that is working as well as what I am doing right now.

 

[Clement04]

Actually, I think my problem is more bronzing than gloss differential. I don't mind a little bit of gloss differential, even if I admit that your solution is better.

 

[The Hat]

I am about to take the plunge again this time using an iX7000 to start testing the Gloss Optimiser,
I have more than 50 glossy prints all ready to work on.

Just waiting for my newest purchase to arrive next week, then it will be GO GO GO my little GTO..

 

[Tin Ho]

I myself printed a few glossy sheets in last April last year with the club's R2880 printer. I don't remember having an issue back then. Having been used to print with Canon Pro9000, had there been a bronzing issue I would have noticed it. I talked to several club members last night. None had any impression having an issue of bronzing from using the club's R2880. I am really curious now. Long time ago I saw dye based ink producing glossy prints with bronzing by a Canon printer. I know how bad it looks. If my memory serves me well the R2880 did not have the problem when I was using it last year. I might have printed with Epson OEM cartridges. LOL!!! I will try to get to the printer and print a few and see if the issue somehow had escaped from my eyes last year.

For Canon printers I know bronzing was caused by inferior inks. By any chance does Epson have anything done to the printer hardware or software that had eliminated the bronzing issue? Or does Epson accomplished bronzing free glossy printing all by its ink technology? I did wonder at one time why our R2880 did not use a gloss optimizer. At my local computer store I have not seen any Epson printers that still use a gloss optimizer. I thought the glossy optimizer is already a thing in the past.

Is Epson R2880 still made today? Too bad I did not buy one for myself last year.