Epson printers

[Andrew McDonald]

Hi

I have an R2400 atr the moment & i'm happy with the results, however i'm considering the 3800 just to reduce ink costs.

Does anyone have any views on the new 2880?  or the current 3800.

Space is a premium so 3800 is about the largest fooprint i could accomodate.

thanks in advance

andy

[Sean Mantey]

Have you seen these ink kits Andy?

Supposed to be pretty good.

I'm thinking of investing.

http://www.marrutt.com/lyson-contin.php

[Andrew McDonald]

Sean

i've spoken to my paper supplier & he says bottom line the quality isnt as good, the nosles block & they are a fiddle...

I've got money already committed to other things for the business so its not a must have, but i do like to print certain jobs myself & seriouslt thinking about printing all my albums next year.

there are also alternative cartridge suppliers now?

i've also had all the papers i use custom profiled so i'd rather stay with what i know.

thanks for the reply though.

Andy

[embayweather]

Get the Epson 3800 printer. I did a couple of years ago and it revolutionised my business and profit margins. So great to be in control all the way through, and to be able to offer 'instant' quality prints. Always use epson ink ( I get mine from Manx Print Care) and if you are charging sensible prices for your prints you will not need to worry about the cost.

Go for it!!

Best wishes

Mike

[William]

These printers come into their own for large prints.  You'll find Keynsham Photographic is a much better bet for 8x6 and smaller.

[Andrew McDonald]

well i agree that for my personal exhibition & one off work  the in house printer is perfect.

I'm just waiting for some sample prints from a great lab, who's a swpp meember & if i get what i think i'm going to get i'll be using them for all my prints, other than the versions above.

right now the expense of the 3800 is stopping me, but its in the budget for next year

cheers

Andy

[RobinW]

These printers come into their own for large prints.  You'll find Keynsham Photographic is a much better bet for 8x6 and smaller.

I agree - I use Loxley for all my album prints and usually my 3800 for everything bigger than 12"x8". Very consistent results using Epson inks and Epson A2 paper (can be cheaper to cut A2 down rather than to buy smaller sizes). The Epson A2 Lustre paper is printed "Epson Professional" on the back - helps give client's confidence, but I prefer the Professional Semi-gloss for exhibition prints.

The surfaces of the Epson Lustre, Gloss, and Semi-gloss papers are much more delicate than Kodak Endura Lustre and marks easily - hence I would be concerned about producing album prints on the 3800. Has anyone found a paper with a more robust surface?

[Dave Nunn]

Have you seen these ink kits Andy?

Supposed to be pretty good.

I'm thinking of investing.

http://www.marrutt.com/lyson-contin.php

I wouldn't .. !  Tried them a few years ago and had nothing but problems trying to get the colours right.  The metamrism of those inks was terrible.

Stick with Epson, I currently run a pro4000 with 220ml cartridges, excellent.

Dave

[William]

If you're likely to do a lot of printing and have the space, think about a 7800 - 24 inch.

The inkset is about 30% dearer than 3800 but you get 220ml rather than 80ml, so the ink saving quickly pays the extra for the printer.

[Andrew McDonald]

Where are the chepaest imls at the moment. i bought on bulk last time but need to top up on the magentas etc...

cheers

Andy

[Chris Walter]

If you  wait a few weeks there should be a new version of the Epson Pro 3800 - mid-September is the rumour and it will probabaly have a version of the pro ink sets seen in the 7900 and 9900. i.e. "The ultimate inkset: 11-colour Epson UltraChrome HDR inks maximise quality with three blacks, orange and green whilst also providing durability up to 200 years"

That should trigger a price reduction in the current model as well so you can choose state of the art or a really good price on the current version.

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/printers/epson3900.html

[Andrew McDonald]

cheers Chris.. thanks for the heads up.

Andy   

[William]

The 7900 is a fantastic printer. but a complete set of inks will set you back about a thousand quid!

[Chris Walter]

I don't know if the new 3900 will use the same carts as the 7000 and 9000 series printers, but the 110ml are £46 each and the 220ml are £80 each! So 11 of 220ml are £880.
Hopefully it will have the full set of 11 inks though and take 110ml carts (please Epson).

The cost per print is very low on the large printers however.
http://www.inkjetart.com/pro/7600_9600/cost_page.html
However the big ones are not so good for the odd A5 or 6x4!!!

These printers are only cost-effective if used with a RIP  to mix different sizes on a sheet and for high throughput.

If you don't have the throughput to justify the outlay then size your printer to cover the majority of your work and sub the balance - I'd probably replace my 2400 with the 3900 (3880?) to increase productivity and reduce ink costs even if not printing to the larger size. Would love to have the SpectroProofer built in as does the 7900!

[Andrew McDonald]

profiler would be great. doubt that will be included. however i'm happy with my custom profiles from my paper supplier.

i dont have need a larger printer, just something that takes larger carts

Andy