Have You Bought The Epson P800

[Ink stained Fingers]

I got a bottle of a Lyson photo black pigment ink claimed to be compatible with the Ultrachrome HD inks of the P600/800 . I printed some patches onto several glossy papers, the gloss appears to be very close to the gloss of the original Ultrachrome black, with a minute amount of bronzing depending as well on the different papers used, it's not obvious and not directly visible but only to a (over)critical eye. I have not tested the other HD inks by Lyson. I'll run a profile tomorrow to check for the black level of this ink.

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

I'm comparing the black level of these inks on a cheap glossy paper, all patches printed with a R265. I'm using a black ink by OCP, Ultrachrome K3 compatible (as claimed), that yields an L = 12,
the Epson original HD photoblack yields an impressive L=7, and the Lyson HD gives an L = 9. I get a similar relation on another photopaper, the Lyson ink is better the my current ink, it is visible in direct comparison, the original Epson ink is a tad better even. This is for orientation, not a solid scientific test, and it's up to everybody to judge and decide how much the improved black level is it worth - Epson prices - Lyson prices or staying with the typical current ink in use. I did these tests with a R265 before switching inks in the 7600, and running profiles there again. On plain paper, uncoated, the black level drops from L=26 to 20 for Epson, and 21 for Lyson which as well is a visible improvement, that is the reason for me to switch to Lyson, I'm not a friend of a separate matte black for plain paper and other matte material. The gloss of the Lyson black is pretty much identical with the Epson HD black as mentioned above.

 

[Smile]

I has a case where a client ordered profile for his printer that he uses for screen printing black ink was third party from Poland I think, the black level was better than EPSON original black level from stock profile.

The only problem is I don't know what the ink was because it was re-bottled and the seller did not want to tell me the brand obviously. The printer was EPSON 1500W, the ink was DYE ink

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

There is a special high density black ink offered by farbenwerk.com,
http://www.farbenwerk.com/HD-Pro-Black-Tinte-100ml

claiming better black density than with pigment inks, compatible with all typical Epson printers, but it does not state specifically that this is a dye ink, only the page name calls it 'Farbstofftinte' = dye ink. This ink can be used for films for PC-board layout or screen print artwork. Whether it is fade resistant is another quesion and would require a test.

 

[Smile]

The prices for 100ml is not cheap to say the least, the ink I was referring to was like 32Eur 1L of ink.