Help Matte Black v. Photo Black!!!

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dragonview
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p.1 #1 · Help Matte Black v. Photo Black!!!

I have a Epson R2400 printer. For the black ink you have a choice of Photo Black and Matte Black. I have always used Photo Black. To use Matte Black do you need to use matte printing paper

? And if you use Matte Black on glossy paper, will that totally throw the colors off

Your advice is much appreciated!!!! Thank you ahead!!!

Edited on Dec 10, 2007 at 12:56 AM

Dec 08, 2007 at 08:47 AM

ecidi
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p.1 #2 · Help Matte Black v. Photo Black!!!

dragonview wrote:
I have a Epson R2400 printer. For the black ink you have a choice of Photo Black and Matte Black. I have always used Photo Black. To use Matte Black do you need to use matte printing paper

? And if you use Matte Black on glossy paper, will that totally throw the colors off

Your advice is much appreciated!!!! Thank you ahead!!!

You can find the information you want, if you read page 72 in your users manual.

effie imperio

Edited on Dec 10, 2007 at 12:56 AM

Dec 08, 2007 at 03:27 PM

Hendrik
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p.1 #3 · Help Matte Black v. Photo Black!!!

Personally I don't use Matte Black anymore. Today's papers are very good with Photo Black. The papers I use are:

Epson Smooth Gloss (most handouts to models)
Innova Ultra Smooth Gloss 285gsm for my fine art prints.

I only use Matte Black on Hahnemuller Photo Rag 309gsm, but very very rarely.

Edited on Dec 10, 2007 at 12:56 AM

Dec 08, 2007 at 07:24 PM

DIS Ottawa
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p.1 #4 · Help Matte Black v. Photo Black!!!

The paper type that you select will tell the printer driver what ink to select. I have a 3800 which mounts both photo and matte black inks simaltaneously but the 2400 requires that you switch the black inks by hand, resulting in the loss of some ink.

Glossy paper and matte paper give quite different looks and you should experiment to find which you prefer. If you use Photoshop you can do soft proofing which will give you an idea of how the prints will look on different papers. Personally, I much prefer the look of matte prints. I find that glossy prints framed behind glass produce unwanted reflections and the colours can appear oversaturated. However, when you want colours to really pop, glossy is the way to go.

Although an amateur photographer, I do sell quite a few prints and most buyers prefer the look of matte prints and the way the paper feels in the hand, more substantial.

Hope this helps.

DIS

Edited on Dec 10, 2007 at 12:56 AM

Dec 08, 2007 at 10:00 PM

Jim Schemel
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p.1 #5 · Help Matte Black v. Photo Black!!!

Its my understanding that when the matte ink cartridge is installed, your paper options to choose from when telling your printer what paper you are using are limited to compatible papers with that cartridge.The glossy paper options do not come up in the options box.Personally Epson Matte paper left me a bit disappointed in its appearance.But the Ultra glossy looks very good.Looking forward to trying the Luster(which every one recomends for Epson printers) just havent purchased any yet.
-Jim

Edited on Dec 10, 2007 at 12:56 AM

Dec 08, 2007 at 10:32 PM

Pixel Perfect
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p.1 #6 · Help Matte Black v. Photo Black!!!

I've been having great success with satin/lustre type papers using photo black. I however have some fine art papers that need the matte black, but haven't gotten around to trying them yet. I'm waiting until I need to change my photo black cartridge and using the matte black. It's a real pain having to swap the inks out. I think I'll be getting a 3800 or it's replacement next.

Dec 10, 2007 at 12:56 AM


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