I've not done my own printing for some time now so I'm not current on printers and ink systems.

In the past I used an Epson 1280 w/ the Black Only printing method discussed by Clayton Jones. However, when I stopped printing on my own and sold my 1280 I recall that most of the new machines being introduced did not allow for Black Only printing. Maybe someone can confirm?

Anyway, I'd like an economical printer dedicated for black and white images. I'll be using 8.5x11 Epson Enhanced Matte paper only. I'd prefer to stay under $200.00.

Anyone have any printer recommendations?

I'd go to the Kone Pieziography site and see what printers they support and go with them. A second choice and they probably support more printers is MIS Associates. Both make multiple black cartridge sets.
The problem with black only printing is the transitions between tones are not handled as well as multiple gray/black systems. The difference between an image printed black only and a 16bit image printed with a multiple gray inkset is very noticeable. If you don't want to 3rd party ink sets, the HP B8850 would be the least expensive printer with this type of ink set, it has color too.

Tom

tomm101 wrote:
I'd go to the Kone Pieziography site and see what printers they support and go with them. A second choice and they probably support more printers is MIS Associates. Both make multiple black cartridge sets.
The problem with black only printing is the transitions between tones are not handled as well as multiple gray/black systems. The difference between an image printed black only and a 16bit image printed with a multiple gray inkset is very noticeable. If you don't want to 3rd party ink sets, the HP B8850 would be the least expensive printer with this type of ink set, it has color too.

Tom

thanks for the feedback. i was fairly happy w/ the black only printing on the 1280. i might check out the mis website again.

or maybe adoramapix is still the better alternative for me. like i said...it's been a while and i've probably forgotten what a pain home printing can be.