I'm making transparencies for exposing Imagon, using the one-exposure method where you put the dot pattern into the image file instead of doing a second exposure with an aquatint screen.

I'm using my Epson R2400 for this with the Quadtone RIP software to control the printer so I can print with just black ink.

I've been printing with Matte Black ink, mainly because it seems to give better opacity/coverage on the transparency film. I've been testing different brands of films for many months -- the less expensive "office" use films allow the matte black ink to dry and stick on the film, but I get really rough-grained images that don't look good when inked and printed.

The better quality films for use as digital negatives and for silkscreen printing give far better results but there's a problem that the matte ink never seems to dry on the film, or can be easily smudged with your fingers.

I thought this might not be a problem if I handled the transparencies carefully, but I think the ink is "smooshing" under pressure in the exposure unit and seems to be adding funny rings and lines to the image on the plate.

So, do people find that the photo black ink works okay for this application. I understand that it dries and sticks on the film, but I'm concerned about the opacity/coverage and will it be dark enough to block UV light where needed?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks, David.

Have you checked to make sure you are printing on the emulsion side of the film?

Yes, this is just the nature of matte K ink and these films, hence my questions.