Printing BW with older HP 7960 inkjet - a question

I have an HP 7960 that has been sitting idle for a few years now and the

cartridges--though still in the packages--are way out of date.

 

I'd like to start printing again with this printer, using only b/w mode. I read

somewhere that in this mode, it only uses the no. 59 cartridge and I'm

wondering if this is true?

 

If it is true that this printer uses only the no. 59 cartridge in BW printing,

than I'll only buy a new one of these, and not all three cartridges.

 

Best, David

I had one a while back and it did a great job printing, but only on HP papers. I seem to remember doing a test with the #59 cartridge only and it worked, but it's been a few years...

Thanks Steve, yes, I realize that this only takes HP papers which is why I now do most of my printing on an Epson.

 

But I have a specific need here: to b/w transparencies to use in exposing photopolymer etching plates. I thought I'd dust off the HP and see how it does for this application.

 

A question: when you said a "test with the #58 only" did you mean that this was the only cartridge you had installed, or that you were only printing with this one out of all three?

 

Regards, David

Hi

 

I use the similar 7660.

 

Yes, you can just put in the #59, or you can leave the other cartridge (#57) in as well. Make sure you select print in greyscale mode in the printer driver. Either way, you'll get neutral B+W prints.

 

I cannot agree that it only prints well on HP papers. It seems some people think that since they can't see the specific paper in a drop-down list, it won't work.

 

I use Ilford's Smooth Pearl for the most part, with some Epson, Kodak, HP and Red River papers from time to time. All the papers print fine, in colour or B+W, assuming you have got the printer settings right.

Yes, I meant just the #59 cartridge and select greyscale mode. I did an experiment with both cartridges in and it does shot out some color ink (I scanned at 2400dpi on my flatbed scanner). I used Ilford papers also and the HP papers were better IMHO.

 

It's all a moot point for me now because I haven't turn that printer on in two year...

PC, you're right. I meant that there are only a few papers from HP for this printer. I even printed using a matte paper, but I've been told that these will not last long with the dye-based inks used in this printer.

 

Best, David.