The Epson C86 and what I have found out - so far.

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I bought the Epson C86 because it has a 'black only' setting. My R200
produces lovely colour prints but poor B&W ones. I also use C86 the printer
for less important colour prints - and have now used up the original inks.

The C86 does not allow you to use 'black only' for all paper settings, but
by using heavy matte I was getting decent results. Because I bought the
printer to produce B&W I have now bought it compatible inks - very cheap
compared with Epson. What I noticed with the original cartridges, Durabrite
inks, was that the ink seemed to sit on the surface of the paper. Now I am
on Print-rite compatibles the ink does not seem to sit on the paper and the
glossy surface is more glossy.

I have not used the printer on the Durabrite paper setting because I have no
Durabrite paper. I assume the compatible cartridges are designed to be used
on ordinary glossy paper and are thus doing a better job.

The black Print-rite black ink is also producing better tones on ordinary
glossy than the original ink did.

In summary; using cheapish glossy paper from Photoglossy.com and the
Print-rite compatible ink I am getting decent black and white prints that
are black and white. Also, the colour prints are pretty good.

John

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

eatmorepies wrote:
> I bought the Epson C86 because it has a 'black only' setting. My R200
> produces lovely colour prints but poor B&W ones. I also use C86 the printer
> for less important colour prints - and have now used up the original inks.
>
> The C86 does not allow you to use 'black only' for all paper settings, but
> by using heavy matte I was getting decent results. Because I bought the
> printer to produce B&W I have now bought it compatible inks - very cheap
> compared with Epson. What I noticed with the original cartridges, Durabrite
> inks, was that the ink seemed to sit on the surface of the paper. Now I am
> on Print-rite compatibles the ink does not seem to sit on the paper and the
> glossy surface is more glossy.
>
> I have not used the printer on the Durabrite paper setting because I have no
> Durabrite paper. I assume the compatible cartridges are designed to be used
> on ordinary glossy paper and are thus doing a better job.
>
> The black Print-rite black ink is also producing better tones on ordinary
> glossy than the original ink did.

I have a C82 and you have to remember that the C series Epsons are
Pigment ink printers, very long lived ink (Epson and pigment
replacements) But they don't do glossy very well. I believe Epson
brought out a glossy paper for the C86, check their web site, but you'd
have to use that paper.
As for B&W MIS Associates makes a B&W ink set just for the Epson C
series. These are quality pigment based replacement inks from one of
the legends in the field of pigment inkjet printing. Check
www.inksupply.com.
Good luck

Tom
>
> In summary; using cheapish glossy paper from Photoglossy.com and the
> Print-rite compatible ink I am getting decent black and white prints that
> are black and white. Also, the colour prints are pretty good.
>
> John