Epson P900 - Black Enhance Overcoat

[thebestcpu]

If you don’t have a P700/P900 printer, you might want to skip this post.​

I've been testing the print output from the P900 to better understand some of its features beyond the marketing descriptions. This post is the first of several planned posts with this one focusing on the Black Enhance Overcoat (BEO) feature. I welcome any questions or feedback on my approach.

Testing Setup​

To keep things simple, I am conducting grayscale-only testing on Epson Ultra Premium Luster paper.

Here’s a screenshot of the options available in the printer driver:

(Insert image)

The driver provides five preset Print Quality settings, and users can further customize them.

I tested these five preset modes, along with two additional variations, as shown in the following matrix.

Note: The quality mode labels (e.g., “Standard”) do not correspond to fixed output DPI settings. Instead, the DPI values vary depending on the selected paper type. In other words, “Standard” is a relative quality setting, not an absolute resolution setting. (This seems like a marketing decision, but I find it less than ideal as an engineer.)

For this post, I will focus on the results of the options outlined in red within the matrix.

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Test Details​

I evaluated print output at 1440x1440 DPI and 5760x1440 DPI, both with and without BEO enabled.

Here is the test image I used:

• A 16-bit TIFF containing 100 squares with Lab values ranging from L=0,0,0 to L=99,0,0.
• Paper white was measured for the last point for the L=100 position.

There were four target sheets, one for each of the four modes evaluated in this post.
Using Spotread (from the ArgyllCMS package), measurements were taken with an i1Pro spectrophotometer (default settings).
Printing was done from my MacBook Pro using ColorSync Utility, which allows color-target printing (i.e., no color profile applied).

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Results​

1440x1440 DPI Output (With & Without BEO)​

The first plot compares print output at 1440x1440 DPI with and without BEO. As expected, prints with BEO enabled appear slightly darker.

To quantify the effect, I plotted the difference between the two curves. The average ΔL (change in luminance) is approximately 0.5 across most of the test squares (up to L = 80), tapering off to zero in the highlights.

This ΔL range aligns with expectations since BEO adds a layer of light gray ink. Interestingly, the effect extends across most of the tonal range, not just the darkest shades. This suggests that BEO slightly reduces black dullness, which aligns with marketing claims that it "lightens the look" by improving sheen and reflectivity.

5760x1440 DPI Output (With & Without BEO)​

The second graph compares print output at 5760x1440 DPI under the same conditions. Here, the ΔL difference is closer to 0.7, following a similar pattern—affecting tones up to L = 80 and tapering off.

Learnings and Possible Further Investigation
- The amount of BEO differs slightly between the two Quality options examined in this post.
- The BEO covers quite a bit of the L range (up to L=80) with the same amount of delta L to that point.
- I did not pursue evaluating sheen differences, which may be complex with the Luster texture.
- I captured Lab's "a" and "b" components, which could be similarly examined/plotted.
- The variations in the delta L are relatively large compared to those seen from multiple readings with Spotread for each target. Multiple measurements per spot could be taken to minimize measurement variability (although relatively small). Other sources of variability could be limits from the printer driver in bit depth, variations in "a" and "b" component vs the calculation from the full spectrum measurements to D50 Lab, or some other systematic difference in printing and the test target. I did try focused external lighting on the i1 Pro and amazingly I did not see variations in the measurement due to that.

You can always give observations/feedback/suggestions.

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Coming Up Next...​

In my next post, I’ll discuss the enigmatic Carbon Black setting—which, as it turns out, isn’t quite what it sounds like.

John Wheeler

 

[ruuduitdegraaf]

Thanks and interesting. Looking forward for your next episode.
I haven’t experienced that ticking BEO to on makes a considerable difference. I think I will continue to forget the relevance since also your experiment shows the delta is very small..

 

[thebestcpu]

Hi @ruuduitdegraaf
I understand the direction you are taking. The light gray ink usage drains at about twice the rate of my other P900 inks.
However, a couple of things to keep in mind. I am only evaluating gray levels in one type of paper. Gloss overcoats have their place with high gloss papers with pigment inks to help reduce dull areas in the blacks, hot glare spots in the contrasting whites, bronzing, and metamerism. These can raise their heads, especially when looking at the image from an angle (e.g., wall viewing).

So here are my tongue-in-cheek thoughts about it. Marketing starts first: "Say, buy our glossy, glossy, glossiest paper; just look at that fantastic sheen." Wait, I say, the pigment inks make it look dull everywhere I print ink. "No problem, we can spray the ink areas down with light gray ink - oops - I mean Black Enhanced Overcoat - pretty cool don't you think?". Wait, now those glossy white areas stand out against the darker not-so-shiny areas on the print, almost like hot spots. "No problem!, we have a solution for that too - we spray it with more ink over the whole picture (light gray or gray) to dull it down - oops, and its called "Gloss Smoothing" doesn't that sound great?" I say, hmmm, instead of spaying or double spraying ink on the image, wouldn't I be better off using a Luster paper to avoid most of those issues that come with high gloss papers. "Wait, don't look over there - Say, don't you want to buy our glossy, glossy, glossiest paper; just look at that fantastic sheen."



So, in all fairness, marketing is doing its job, and it is doing it well. They believe in the product, are excited about it, and want you to be just as excited, excited enough to get you over the edge to buy their product over someone else's product. One does not sell cold raw dead fish by calling it cold raw dead fish - you call is Sushi. You also don't sell ground up raw beef with raw egg yolk on top by its contents name, you call it Steak Tartare. It's all to make it more appealing to the customer.

So for the P900, the some of the marketing with verbal emphasis on the capital letters "Black Enhanced Overcoat", "Gloss Smoothing" "Higher Dmax" (with the "D" said in a low tone), "Finest Detail", "CARBON BLACK" "Super Photo 5760 dpi Resolution" "Vivid Magneta" "Photo Black" "Violet" Wow - I am starting to get excited

Well, I did buy a P900 after all

And if it was not already clear, I am not the right guy for marketing.

Regarding the details of paper and inks, I am a newbie, so I am learning bit by bit, and hopefully, my words don't offend anyone. I certainly do not know the nuances. I do know good equipment and specs can help make a good photo, to be a better photo, yet will never make a bad photo, a good photo.

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

B E O - I did some testing longer time ago - starting at pre-corona times - I used a P400 and tested the effects of a complete overprint with the gloss - or Canon chroma optimizer, I went beyond what the driver is doing. I used the matte black channel of the P400 which let me adjust the 'gray' level with for clear gloss optimizer - much better than what the driver is doing. It requires an additional print job to do such overprint over the complete print or sheet.

What are the the effects of such overprint

- the gamut grows significantly and visibly
- the blackpoint becomes visibly darker -and as well measurably darker
- the look of the gloss gets better - glossier - and more uniform
- the longevity of the pigment inks further improves vs. the standard printouts.
- You can do to a degree replicate the effect with hairspray but you need to apply that equally across the print which is not that easy.

- But Epson abandoned the use of the gloss optimizer, the P400 was the last printer with that 'ink'. And Epson is now trying to catch up with the effects of the Canon Chroma optimizer still in use in the latest printer models - Pro1100 and up, and as well enhanced vs. the prior printer models.

Be aware that not all hairspray brands deliver the same effect - and various 3rd party gloss/chroma optimizers deliver as well different results - from no effect to a visible yellow toning of the paper base which you cannot proifile away.
If you create and use your own profiles you would need to wait with the print of the patchsheet(s) until the overprint dries up.

 

[thebestcpu]

B E O - I did some testing longer time ago - pre-corona - I used a P400 and tested the effects of a complete overprint with the gloss - or Canon chroma optimizer, I went beyond what the driver is doing. I used the matte black channel of the P400 which let me adjust the 'gray' level with for clear gloss optimizer - much better than what the driver is doing. It requires an additional print job to do such overprint over the complete print or sheet.

What are the the effects of such overprint

- the gamut grows significantly and visibly
- the blackpoint becomes visibly darker -and as well measurably darker
- the look of the gloss gets better - glossier - and more uniform
- the longevity of the pigment inks further improves vs. the standard printouts.
- You can do to a degree replicate the effect with hairspray but you need to apply that equally across the print which is not that easy.

- But Epson abandoned the use of the gloss optimizer, the P400 was the last printer with that 'ink'. And Epson is now trying to catch up with the effects of the Canon Chroma optimizer still in use in the latest printer models - Pro1100 and up, and as well enhanced vs. the prior printer models.

Be aware that not all hairspray brands deliver the same effect - and various 3rd party gloss/chroma optimizers deliver as well different results - from no effect to a visible yellow toning of the paper base which you cannot proifile away.
If you create and use your own profiles you would need to wait with the print of the patchsheet(s) until the overprint dries up.

Thanks for jumping in @Ink stained Fingers
Good to know about some of the benefits of overcoats.
Do you remember what papers you tested, and did the positive impacts extend beyond glossy papers, such as with a luster paper?
It makes me wonder how much help the deepest BEO on the Epson P900 (carbon black) and the Gloss Smoother Option (similar overcoat, my guess) would have on glossy paper. That is beyond my planned experiments, yet I am sure it would not be close to what you have done with your printer modifications and second-pass full overcoats. Also, it is a good reminder that one could venture into post-printing sprays focused on the same goals, though I bet there is a learning curve in doing that right.
Thanks again for jumping in with your experience and knowledge!
John Wheeler

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

I was using glossy papers - the Aldi/Sihl glossy budget paper, as well another glossy paper via Ebay, the Canon PT101 and probably some other which were in the cabinet those days. The effect of the overprint with the gloss/chroma optimizer was quite similar with all papers - a visible improvement on the gloss, the gamut and the black level. I didn't look that much to semiglossy - silk like papers since the increased gloss of the overprint counteracts to the look of a silk surface.
Yes, there are UV sprays and similar, quite expensive, the problem with all sprays of this type incl. hairspray is the uniformity of the spray - how do you do that on a larger print - from left to right or ? and how do you do that tomorrow with the next print - or in 3 weeks ? You need quite some practice. It would be difficult to acheive uniformity from print to print especially when you have profiled the process for a particular paper.
I ran the GO - gloss opt. - via the matte black channel of the P400 - I set the driver to the B/W mode and printed a 'gray' sheet with about L=50, more GO - getting darker - started creating puddles on some paper coating since the overprint is on top of the normal print which already dried off.

The blackest matte paper print/ink is not subject of the current evaluations but nevertheless interesting for the marketing minded members here

https://www.printerknowledge.com/threads/epson-color-density-percentage.15555/post-135809

https://www.printerknowledge.com/threads/matte-inks-for-epson-printers.14396/post-125240

I did some test on the differences between different GO types here

https://www.printerknowledge.com/th...-gloss-optimizers-for-epson.13795/post-119741

It's all testing - testing - testing - as you can see and you do as well to get beyond the marketing claims

 

[thebestcpu]

I was using glossy papers - the Aldi/Sihl glossy budget paper, as well another glossy paper via Ebay, the Canon PT101 and probably some other which were in the cabinet those days. The effect of the overprint with the gloss/chroma optimizer was quite similar with all papers - a visible improvement on the gloss, the gamut and the black level. I didn't look that much to semiglossy - silk like papers since the increased gloss of the overprint counteracts to the look of a silk surface.
Yes, there are UV sprays and similar, quite expensive, the problem with all sprays of this type incl. hairspray is the uniformity of the spray - how do you do that on a larger print - from left to right or ? and how do you do that tomorrow with the next print - or in 3 weeks ? You need quite some practice. It would be difficult to acheive uniformity from print to print especially when you have profiled the process for a particular paper.
I ran the GO - gloss opt. - via the matte black channel of the P400 - I set the driver to the B/W mode and printed a 'gray' sheet with about L=50, more GO - getting darker - started creating puddles on some paper coating since the overprint is on top of the normal print which already dried off.

The blackest matte paper print/ink is not subject of the current evaluations but nevertheless interesting for the marketing minded members here

https://www.printerknowledge.com/threads/epson-color-density-percentage.15555/post-135809

https://www.printerknowledge.com/threads/matte-inks-for-epson-printers.14396/post-125240

I did some test on the differences between different GO types here

https://www.printerknowledge.com/th...-gloss-optimizers-for-epson.13795/post-119741

It's all testing - testing - testing - as you can see and you do as well to get beyond the marketing claims

Thanks, @Ink stained Fingers
I think others who visit this thread will appreciate the extra links.
John Wheeler

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

It is apparent that this mode of an overprint is pretty much impractical for normal image printing but it shows the potential Epson is giving up to a degree without the gloss optimizer. Epson claims that the current inks on Epson paper don't need such gloss optimizer anymore, but this does not take into account that lots of users work with other inks and other papers still showing the typical effects of bronzing and gloss diffentials between different ink colors , image parts with different ink densities and gloss differences between printed and unprinted regions. I didn't have a Canon Pro-1000 available, the lastest successor Canon Pro-1100 still uses a chroma optimizer, so I could not make any comparative prints for a test.