Imageprint on Epson Stylus Pro 7800

Like other people I was not happy about the black ink exchange procedure necessary with the Epson 7800. As a long time happy Imageprint user on a Epson 2100 I was happy to hear about the Imageprint Phatte option. So I checked with a demo-version of IP 6.1 with my Epson 7800 and compared it to IP 6.0 on my Epson 2100 and the Epson Driver (5.51) in Advance B&W mode on the Epson 7800. 

I used Epson Premium Semi Glossy Photo Paper, because I wanted to compare the results with photo black ink as this is one of the significant changes with the K3 inks. The IP 6.1 prints were done with phatte profiles from Colorbytesoftware but still the light light black ink in the light light black slot. I did not use a modified phatte black cart (which is just a matte black ink cart modified to be usable in the light light black slot). I think this a valid test for glossy media together with the phatte black profile, because I think with this profile the matte black ink (in the light light black slot) is just not used. But it is an assumption.

To be honest I was already mostly decided to order IP 6.1 and just wanted to be sure. Now the results especially on bronzing and differential gloss made me rethinking. I try to show my findings in the following two pictures.

The first one shows difference in differential gloss (visible especially in the clouds). Left example is IP 6.0 on 2100, middle is Epson Driver on 7800, right is IP 6.1 on 7800.

The second example more focuses on bronzing difference (Although it is also visible in the first example). Again left IP 6.0 on 2100, middle Epson Driver on 7800, right IP 6.1 on 7800.

So it can be very well that IP 6.1 phatte and normal operation mode do not show much difference, but it seems that something in the Epson driver (light light black ink usage or screening?) improves the differential gloss and bronzing issue a lot.

This comparison focused only on differential gloss and bronzing. It did not take gray balance, profile accuracy etc. into account. Therefore it is not an evaluation or judgment of the quality of Imageprint. It mainly means that my search for the black ink change issue is not over.

I assume that the results with matte black ink are much smaller but are tests are on hold for now.

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