Attention Inkjet Fine Art Printers

lilmsmaggie · Aug 4, 2010

Hi new to this forum,

I have no experience making exhibition quality prints. I would like to have the ability to make my own 11X14 B&W and Color prints, possibly 16x20. Ive read good and bad reports about Epson inkjet printers. Although Canon and HP have upped the ante, Epson seems to be the printer of choice for exhibition quality fine art prints. Not sure if the negative reports Ive read about Epson are from those users that are technically challenged by printer setups and profiles, or just getting their hands on a bad printer. BTW - Im shooting 4x5 and plan on having the negatives scanned.

What really concerns me, are reports of poor customer service from Epson technical support, or lack thereof based on my readings.

Im considering investing in an inkjet photo printer and would like to hear from those that actually do most of their own print work. Id like them to share their experiences with inkjet printers negative or positive. And if they were to start anew, would they continue with the same printer or throw in the towel and outsource their printing.

TareqPhoto · Aug 7, 2010

I am no expert on printing, but i use an Epson printer [Stylus Pro 3800], with all calibrated monitors [even i can calibrate my print as i have the software/hardware device for both but i didn't], all my prints came out stunning great quality, i am very happy with it, even i am thinking one day i will go to larger printer from Epson [44" or so], the black and white out of this printer is terrific, i print from 4x6" up to 17x22"[or 17x??] with great results, i printed from digital shots, but i did print few from my film and it is very nice and i can't tell if i will print in dark room that it will be better, maybe for larger sizes could be but i am really having great results from printing my film scanned, that is with a flatbed scanner not dedicated scanner or drum scanner, then how it will be with a drum/dedicated film scanner?
go for it, i recommend you to get those 3000-4000 series if you want to be in 17" wide sizes, if you want larger then 7000/9000 are kings, even 2000 series are phenomenal printers, it is all up to you, but remember always calibrate your monitor or printer or scanner to get the best out of your images.

sly · Aug 12, 2010

I gave up on Epson after waiting months and months for ink. I had an older professional grade printer. Accorrding to Epson, they never stop making the ink for any of their printers. I spent 4 or 5 months trying to get ink for it. I was repeatedly told the ink was available but out of stock, they'd send it in x number of days. I'd recieve the wrong stuff, send it back and start again. I'd have been OK if someone at Epson had said "not much call for that, it won't be available until xxx." I was ALWAYS told it was out of stock, but available, and I'd recieve it soon. I was dealing just with Epson, and did my best to work up the chain of command and not take out my frustration on some poor shmuck who was just answering phones. I was always told the same crap, and kept on recieving the wrong ink (some of it free, but useless). The printer went to the dump and I now use HP. I'm not incredibly thrilled with it either, and prefer to work in the darkroom.

jeffreyg · Aug 12, 2010

sly,
Have you checked with Calumet? I'm still using the Epson 2200 and have no problem getting inks from them. When I find the need to move up in size I would probably stick with Epson. I have a friend with a 4000 who is not into the technical aspects of printing but is getting beautiful results both color an B&W.

L Gebhardt · Aug 12, 2010

It is hard to beat the Epson 3880 at this point. After rebate it's $799 at Atlex. I paid several hundred more a few months ago. If you use Epson papers the stock profiles are very good.

I have had no issues with my 3880 so I can't comment on Epson support.

Jim Jones · Feb 6, 2011

My Epson 3800 has produced about 3000 prints, large and small, over the past three years with no problems. Like L. Gebhardt, I've had no need for contact with Epson support.

Kirk Gittings · Feb 6, 2011

I' ve been printing on Epson's since I started printing digitally-currently with the 3800-a superb little printer that never clogs even after not using it for months. My original 4000 died once due to the head hanging up on a flaw in the middle of a roll of paper. I was in the middle of printing a show. Epson had another one on my door step by noon the next day. Yes-terrible customer service.

R Shaffer · Feb 7, 2011

L Gebhardt said:
It is hard to beat the Epson 3880 at this point. After rebate it's $799 at Atlex. I paid several hundred more a few months ago. If you use Epson papers the stock profiles are very good.

I have had no issues with my 3880 so I can't comment on Epson support.

WOW. That's a great price considering you get around $500 worth of ink with it.

I'll also say that I have been thrilled ( so far, knock on wood ) with my Epson 3800. Have not needed technical support, so I can't comment on that aspect.

JBrunner · Feb 7, 2011

Been using a 2400. My max is 13" wide. I get very good results, but I have found the printer to be somewhat finicky. That said, I get good results when it is happy. I've quit bothering with anyones tech support, I usually find better and more candid answers online.

I have been using it mostly for making negatives.

gmikol · Feb 7, 2011

R Shaffer said:
WOW. That's a great price considering you get around $500 worth of ink with it.

Rob...your general point about the value of the included ink is spot-on. But I want address a pet-peeve of mine, somewhat at your expense.

Rob isn't the first person (and probably won't be the last) I've seen online talk about finding the absolute lowest-price for the 3880 (or any other printer) and then use an un-realistic price for the included ink to justify the cost. $500 / 9 = $55.56, when ink can typically be had for $45 * 9 = $405.

The value proposition still holds, IMO, let's just be honest with the numbers.

BTW--The current promotion from Epson (thru 3/31/2011) is a $200 rebate, which, at Atlex's pricing, comes to $919 after rebate (with $500 worth of ink! )

--Greg

R Shaffer · Feb 8, 2011

gmikol said:
Rob...your general point about the value of the included ink is spot-on. But I want address a pet-peeve of mine, somewhat at your expense.

Rob isn't the first person (and probably won't be the last) I've seen online talk about finding the absolute lowest-price for the 3880 (or any other printer) and then use an un-realistic price for the included ink to justify the cost. $500 / 9 = $55.56, when ink can typically be had for $45 * 9 = $405.

The value proposition still holds, IMO, let's just be honest with the numbers.

BTW--The current promotion from Epson (thru 3/31/2011) is a $200 rebate, which, at Atlex's pricing, comes to $919 after rebate (with $500 worth of ink! )

--Greg

Oh thanks Greg,

I just knew someone would nit-pick that number. However, in my own defense, I do have to pay sales tax here in sunny CA and there is also shipping. So I would say the actual cost is probably closer/approximately/estimated to be somewhere in the range of $450.

But ink costs are a significant consideration. Cost per ml of ink for R2880 is over a $1 where as the 3800 is closer to $.62 per ml. plus the convenience of the bigger cartridges.

Jerry Basierbe · Feb 8, 2011

I've had a 3880 for several months now. Replaced a 2880. It is nice not having to constantly be replacing ink cartridges. Cost
advantage with the larger cartridges in nice too.

Jerry

wfe · Feb 8, 2011

I use an Epson 3800 and have had no trouble with it. The flat feed is a bit finicky but once you get it figured out it works well. I teach an Ink Jet Wet Transfer print making workshop and drag it along for that. I've never had to contact tech support. I print color, black and white, digital negatives along with coated film for the wet transfers.

jd callow · Feb 8, 2011

Is there a viable continuous flow ink system for the 3880? I owned 4 1270/1280's and used a cfs on all. I saved a ton on ink with no apparent loss in quality. The reason I owned 4 was that they were literally disposable and my experience (albeit many years back) with epson support did not impress. Like Jbrunner, I skipped epson and relied upon the internets to solve my issues.

gmikol · Feb 8, 2011

I don't think there is a true external CIS-type system for the 3800/3880, since the design internally is basically the same thing. The cartridges are stationary, connected by flexible tubing to the head. I think the closest thing you get in a 3rd-party ink solution for the 3800/3880 are the top-fill cartridges, like these from Ink Republic.

I have no connection to Ink Republic, and in fact, have never even seen these cartridges with my own 2 eyes...I just know they exist.

--Greg

donbga · Feb 8, 2011

gmikol said:
I don't think there is a true external CIS-type system for the 3800/3880, since the design internally is basically the same thing. The cartridges are stationary, connected by flexible tubing to the head. I think the closest thing you get in a 3rd-party ink solution for the 3800/3880 are the top-fill cartridges, like these from Ink Republic.

I have no connection to Ink Republic, and in fact, have never even seen these cartridges with my own 2 eyes...I just know they exist.

--Greg

Or from Inkjet Mall:

Attention Inkjet Fine Art Printers

lilmsmaggie

TareqPhoto

sly

jeffreyg

L Gebhardt

Jim Jones

Kirk Gittings

R Shaffer

JBrunner

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gmikol

R Shaffer

Jerry Basierbe

wfe

jd callow

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gmikol

donbga

Attention Inkjet Fine Art Printers

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