Epson R800 Digital Negatives & Kallitypes

[menglert]

Does anyone here have experience with using an Epson R800 for alternative processes? I have read through the previous posts, and it seems that some have been very successful using R800 digital negatives for printing on silver papers, but I didn't know if there was reported success with R800 digital negatives and alternative processes such as: Kallitype, Platinum...ect.

The methods I am going to try for printing digital negatives are one suggested here, using a script to profile (LINK), and a similar method described here (LINK).

From what I gather some believe the R800 ink has problems because it does not have enough density. Others believe if you are printing gray scale, using all the colors, and RPM setting, you will have sufficient density. One thing that occurred to me is, would it be possible to print a negative on pictorico, let it dry, then print the same negative again (over the previous) to build up the density of the ink?

I don't have the money to purchase a new printer at the moment, and would appreciate any help and suggestions as to how I could best utilize my R800 for digital negatives.

Regards,
Martin

[sanking]

I don't recommend the R800, nor the R1800. You can get enough density for alternative processes, but in order to do so you risk pizza wheel marks. For alternative printing buy a used Epson 2200 or 1280, or a new 2400.

Sandy

Does anyone here have experience with using an Epson R800 for alternative processes? I have read through the previous posts, and it seems that some have been very successful using R800 digital negatives for printing on silver papers, but I didn't know if there was reported success with R800 digital negatives and alternative processes such as: Kallitype, Platinum...ect.

The methods I am going to try for printing digital negatives are one suggested here, using a script to profile (LINK), and a similar method described here (LINK).

From what I gather some believe the R800 ink has problems because it does not have enough density. Others believe if you are printing gray scale, using all the colors, and RPM setting, you will have sufficient density. One thing that occurred to me is, would it be possible to print a negative on pictorico, let it dry, then print the same negative again (over the previous) to build up the density of the ink?

I don't have the money to purchase a new printer at the moment, and would appreciate any help and suggestions as to how I could best utilize my R800 for digital negatives.

Regards,
Martin

[menglert]

Hi Sandy,

Thank you for the advice about "pizza wheels".

After looking closely at the negative I printed, I see what you're talking about. There were tiny dots running through the length of the print, and more prominent in the shadows. Since you suggested the density is not a problem with the Epson R800, I figured I should try to resolve the issue with "pizza wheels".

This morning I opened up my printer, and removed all of the "pizza wheels". I did some test prints, then made another digital negative. After close inspection, no more "pizza wheels" and the prints seemed to work out fine.

The process of removing the wheels was fairly easy. I only had to push a few of the clips holding the wheels in, then lift the metal plate holding them in place, and remove them.

Thanks for your advice, I appreciate it.

Regards,
Martin

[sanking]

Martin,

Glad you found a solution to the problem. I bought an Epson 1800 last year but returned it because of pizza wheel marks. And, I could not figure out how to remove them. If somebody can explain how to do that on the 1800 I might consider buying another one because it gives much smoother tones than the 2200 I now use.

Sandy

Hi Sandy,

Thank you for the advice about "pizza wheels".

After looking closely at the negative I printed, I see what you're talking about. There were tiny dots running through the length of the print, and more prominent in the shadows. Since you suggested the density is not a problem with the Epson R800, I figured I should try to resolve the issue with "pizza wheels".

This morning I opened up my printer, and removed all of the "pizza wheels". I did some test prints, then made another digital negative. After close inspection, no more "pizza wheels" and the prints seemed to work out fine.

The process of removing the wheels was fairly easy. I only had to push a few of the clips holding the wheels in, then lift the metal plate holding them in place, and remove them.

Thanks for your advice, I appreciate it.

Regards,
Martin

[menglert]

Hi Sandy,

I can't explain the process for the R1800, but I would assume it is similar to the removal process of the R800.

InkJetArt gives instructions on how to remove the "pizza wheels" for Epson printers (LINK). The only difference from their instructions were, there were no screws to loosen on my R800. I only had to push all the clips in (as illustrated in the link's photo), slightly lift the plate, and pull the "pizza wheels" out from under the plate. The process takes less than five minutes.

I did notice the ink cartridge carrier rubbing slightly on the plate after I did this process. So I had to push down the plate, and it was "bent" back to its proper place.