DTG is pleased to be offering Colorbyte’s ImagePrint Rip version 7.0 that offers Phatte Black compatibility for the new Epson 7800 and Epson 9800 wide format printers, as well as the Epson 4800 printer. DTG is also selling the two different Phatte Black cartridges, one 220ml for the Epson 4800, and one 220ml for the Epson 7800/9800 printers. Phatte Black cartridges are simply matte black cartridges that have had the chip reset to look like the light light black to the printer.
Colorbyte’s phatte black technology in ImagePrint 7.0 allows Epson 4800, 7800, and 9800 printer owners to run both the photo black and matte black in the printer simultaneously without the costly need to switch them out. Users can do this by removing the light light black cartridge and replacing it with a matte black cartridge that has had the chip reset to make it look like a light light black to the printer. Because of ImagePrint’s advanced screening and profile technology, the removal of the light light black does not affect image quality.
Appendix F - Phatte Black Mode
 The following section provides answers to common questions about Phatte Black in a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) format. Then the procedures for setting up ImagePrint and your printer to use Phatte Black printing are described.
1. Phatte Black FAQ
What advantages are there to printing in Phatte Black Mode?
With Dual black mode, you don’t need to purge inks when switching between printing that requires the matte black ink and the photo black ink. This saves money, as any purge results in the wastage of ink (as much as $70.00 worth for each such switch). Purging also takes time--fifteen minutes or so. With Phatte Black mode, switching between Matte and Glossy printing is just a matter of loading the right paper.
How does Phatte Black Mode work?
To utilize this feature, a modified Matte Black cartridge is used in the “light-light” cartridge slot of your printer. Once loaded, you’ll need to print a “purge” file that will clear the ink lines of remaining light-light ink. For detailed instructions, see the second part of this section, Phatte Black Printing Procedures.
Will not having the light-light black ink affect print quality?
Only Slightly
The light-light black offers no advantages when printing with ImagePrint, as our advanced ink mixing and screening already provides the improved tonality that this new ink was put in place to provide While this ink may help avoid the deficiencies of other less sophisticated printing methods, ImagePrint’s technology doesn’t need it to get results far superior to the output of any other driver or RIP.
What is a “modified” Matte Black cartridge?
All Epson K3 ink cartridges utilize “smart chip” technology that allows the printer to read each ink cartridge to determine it’s ink type, capacity, remaining ink levels, etc. A modified cartridge is one whose smart chip has been altered to appear different to the printer.
Third party ink manufacturers have modified ink cartridges for years in order to “fool” the printer into allowing their cartridges to be used.
Modifying the cartridge means that the smart chip will be changed, or replaced, to make it look like a light light black cartridge to the printer. It may also be necessary to snip off the small, plastic fin on the top of the cartridge that “keys” the cartridge to the proper slot on the printer.
How do I obtain a modified Matte Black cartridge?
Call your DTG sales representative at 800-681-0024 or order the 4800 phatte black cartridge or 7800/9800 phatte black cartridges online at www.dtgweb.com.
Note that ColorByte can offer no support for modifyiing the cartridge itself--that support is handled through the provider of the chip.
Will this void my Epson warranty?
This process uses Epson inks and Epson cartridges, and is not modifying the printer in any way. That said, ColorByte doesn’t speak for Epson. If you have concerns, you may want to contact Epson before using modified cartridges.
Can I still use my Epson driver with Matte and Photo black loaded?
No. With both the Matte and Photo black cartridges loaded, the Epson driver will not print correctly as it has no support for that combination. You can only use this mode with ImagePrint. (The Epson status monitor should work fine however.)
Will I need new profiles?
ImagePrint will provide profiles for Phatte Black mode for both color and grayscale printing. These profiles will be designated with the letters “DK” (Dual Black) instead of the normal “pk” or “mk” in the title. Since the profiles are made at the same time as the “standard mode” profiles, there should be a Phatte Black profile for every standard profile we provide.
How do I switch to Phatte Black mode within ImagePrint?
Switching to Phatte Black mode in ImagePrint is as simple as picking a dual black (DK) profile as the Printer/Paper profile. When the software senses such a profile has been chosen, it will switch to Phatte Black mode automatically.
How to Print with Phatte Black
Follow the below steps to setup your printer and ImagePrint for printing with Phatte Black Mode.
>> Step 1. Load a modified Matte Black Cartridge into your printer
Phatte Black requires that the standard Light-Light black ink cartridge be replaced by a modifed Matte Black cartridge. For details on obtaining such a cartridge, or modifying your own, see the Phatte Black FAQ. The modified Matte Black cartridge should be inserted into the Light-Light black cartridge slot of your printer.
>> Step 2. Print the Phatte Black Purge file
Once the modified Matte Black Cartridge has been loaded in the printer, it is necessary to clear the remaining light-light black inks from the tubing of the printer. To do this, a purge file is provided that can be printed through ImagePrint to flush the lines. (This is a one time only step.) Only the light-light black ink is used when printing this file, so no other ink is purged.
>> To print the purge file:
Launch ImagePrint.
Choose the proper page size
To properly purge the inks, it’s necessary to print about 1700 square inches. To accomplish this, you may need to create a user defined page size in ImagePrint that fits those dimensions (about 20 letter size sheets). You can set up your custom page size in whichever way best accomodates your media. A few common configurations are:
For 44 inch wide roll: A custom size of 44 wide, 34 inches high
For 24 inch wide roll: A custom size of 24 wide, 70 inches high
For 8.5x11 sheet: Use letter as the paper size, and print the purge file 20 times.Choose Image from the ImagePrint main menu, then choose Color Management.
In the “Printer/Paper” field, choose the profile called “x800 Ink Purge 720”
In the Bitmap section of the Color Management window, select NONE in the RGB field of the Missing Color Profile section.
Close the Color Management window.
Using the ImagePrint file browser, or via the File->Open command, navigate to the “Test Images” folder within the ImagePrint folder. Choose to open the file called “eightcolor_purge.tif”. The file will appear red and black or blank on the screen--that’s normal--it will print with the light-light black ink.
Choose “FILL”, from the ImagePrint floating tool palette, to ensure the Image fills the page completely.
Print the file.
Once done, the ink lines will be purged, and you will be ready to print using Phatte Black mode.
When the print is done, remember to return the Bitmap->RGB setting of the Color Management window back to the setting it had before you changed it to NONE.
Step 3 Set up ImagePrint for Phatte Black Mode printing
Printing in Phatte Black mode with ImagePrint is just a matter of choosing the proper Printer/Paper profile in the Color Management window.
Phatte Black mode profiles will have a “DK” (dual black) in their titles (instead of “pk” or “mk”). Once a printer/paper profile is picked in this way, ImagePrint will automatically switch to Phatte Black Mode. No other changes need to be made. You can now switch between Photo Black, and Matte Black, printing by picking the right Phatte Black (DK) Profile for the Media you plan to use, and loading the desired paper in the printer.
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