I ran an interesting set of tests today, comparing color prints on archival matte (A3+) on the 4800 to the 2100. Using only photo black on the 4800, and both photo black and matte black on the 2100.

The general aim: to see if at a pinch I could get by printing color images on archival matte paper using photo black on the 4800, instead of matte black (I don't have any matte black ink and don't especially want to get into swapping back and forth)

The 2100 running matte black also has the advantage of a custom profile.

The results, best prints to worst:

1. 2100, matte black
The combination of the matte black ink and custom profile put the 2100 prints at the top. Very clean and rich. The difference in the prints isn't great but big enough to make this an easy pick.

2. 4800, photo black
The 4800 prints on archival matte using photo black are good, but lack the richness in the blacks compared to the 2100/matte black prints, as you would expect, no magic here. The canned profile looks good though.

3. 2100, photo black
Easily the worst. Not especially neutral compared to the other two, and blacks essentially the same as the 4800 using photo black.


As I mentioned, the difference in the prints isn't that great - at a reasonable distance you'd be hard pressed to spot the difference. At an arm's length though I could shuffle the prints and reliably guess which print was which throughout the day.

What's missing in this test is matte black ink in the 4800 - I don't have any. Given how these prints look side by side I wouldn't expect the 4800 print using matte black to be that much better, if any better at all than the 2100 using matte black/custom profile.

My conclusion - for my own needs - keep using the 2100 for color prints on matte up to A3+. Use the 4800 for non matte/larger output. When I've used up my 2100 ink stock revisit the situation.