O/T Need Hambvice! For the artist/designers buying a PRINTER

[Tuck]

I was looking at a Epson 2200.. I used to have a cannon but I actually THREW IT IN THE TRASH it pissed me off so bad.

I need a nice Wide Format printer... something able to print 11x17 Min. Anyone have any real world advice on what to buy?

Sorry for the O/T post but I need it so I can print some stuff and send it to some HAMBERS http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif so its kinda related to the HAMB

Tuck

[cleatus]

The EPSON will end up in the trash too if you are interested in any of the following:

• Getting all of your image on ONE sheet of paper - even though what you are printing IS small enough to fit on the sheet (with room to spare).
• Having it centered on the sheet.
• Having it print acurately at 100% of the size you desire.
• Accurate color, saturation, etc.

I've even paid professionals to come out and set up custom color profiles with a dedicated rip station, etc. etc. trying to make the bitch produce an accurate proof.

I hate my Epson.

I wish I knew what printer to suggest.

If you find a good one, that is not insanly expensive, let me know.

As it is now, if a client needs an ACCURATE color proof, I have to send it out to a service bureau - and that's after spending thousands on my Epson P.O.S. wide format.

[daign]

For the price. The Epson Photo 2200 is your best bet. The 7 Ink color cartridges dont last too long however. But compared to a high end color laser or dye sub we have here at WB, those epsons CANNOT be beat.

We have recently replaced our $25k Imation Rainbow printer with one if you can believe that. It does awesome color proofs and is quite impressive. Its also large format, so keep in mind it takes a lot of desk space.

We have 3 and I've personally setup and calibrated each one. Go for it. If you have any questions toss me an e-mail.

-Dane

[Johnny Ace]

Tuck...
I've been wanting advice on an exceptional 11x17 as well...I don't know if Lexmark makes a printer for that size,but if they do, line up early!
We battled Epson for years....then went out and got a 30 dollar Lexmark at Wally-World....I have never had such killer printing from any high priced printer to rival this baby....Please keep me posted with your 11x17 search?
Thanks...

[daign]

Wow. Talk about different opinions. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Cleatus sounds like you've had a devil of a time with yours...

The epson RIP software can suck, I avoid it at all costs and usually setup a dedicated calibrated color system for printing for my users. I have successfully used colorsync color profiles to get accurate prints from Scan>Lacie Color Monitor>Paper.

The gloss paper sucks, stick with the matte that is "semi gloss"

Printers are always hit and miss....

-Dane

[daign]

Oh yeah let me know if you would like some scans of actual prints and I can make it happen attached with the original digital images for comparison.

Oh yeah, if possible buy a printer at a place where you have a 30 day return policy. You'll probably have to pay a stocking fee for ink etc but you're safe to try it...

-Dane

[Jeff Norwell]

Hollywood/ I use a epson 1520/wide format...gonna get a new printer that has archival inks....the epson I use is so-so..cause it will not catch the paper and sometimes has to be hand fed http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif..and sometimes this does'nt work as alll http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gifMy epson can feed up to 15" wide and any lenght.
I will keep you posted in the next coupla weeks!!.....

[Kevin Lee]

I've got an Epson and I'm using some wacky aftermarket RIP. It does good work for me but I don't do crazy amounts of continuous tone work or need something that can do a match proof every day. I do lots of logo design and it fits my style (bold) perfectly.

I run film through it to produce film positives, do color proofs a few times a week. Some of these go up to 13x18 and I've never had a problem getting anything to fit on the paper??? Christ, you can feed water color paper and sheets of aluminum through it if it's set up right.

Not telling you it absolutely rules or anything but it definitely does what I need it to do and I've never done anything to it but drop in ink.

[cleatus]

Daign, If you're ever in Scaramento stop by and make this Fr work!

Maybe it IS the Epson RIP software...how do you print without their RIP?
Mine is the EPSON 3300. I have everything dialied in colorsync from scanners - LaCie monitor - photoshop etc.

I can send it to film and matchprints at a service bureau and then on to be printed on an offset printing press and all along the way it looks EXACTLY the way it does on my monitor, BUT run it out on the EPSON and it looks like shit.

[4t64rd]

Cleatus has it right, I have had 3 Epson 1520s, and the paper would feed slightly while the inkheads went by and the image came out skewed slightly, enough that you could tell when compared to something square, like a mat. the print margins weren't even all the way around either. Good color for CMYK, we could it to print color accurate enough to use as a proof for low end jobs.

Photoshope since v.6 handles changes the color profiles sent to different devices differently. With v.5.5 it stayed with the profiles you saved with the image.

What are you planning on printing with it? Giclees or general printing proofs?

[cleatus]

Also Daign...what is the actual brand and NAME of the "semi gloss" paper you are using?

I've tried all kinds

My 3300 only has 4 inks - maybe I need the model with 6 to get better accurate color, but I now have such a deep hatred of the bastard that I hate to gamble on buying another model just to find out.

[Fastsporty]

Epson, my vote. I use a 1270 and prints exactly as my monitor, did you check to make sure your working space is the same as your source? what system are you using cletus? the reason I'mstill using a 1270 is it hasn't broke yet.
epson printer $500
ink purchases of 4 years $2640
Epson... They get you on the ink.

[mikes51]

I'm using a HP 1120C which prints also up to "super b". That's a little bigger than your requirement, up to 13 x 19.

[Kojack]

I've.... never really liked Epson's at all. I've owned 4 HP's, and I've never had a problem with any of them, and for their prices always had awesome photo printing quality. I'd definatly hit Staples and take a look at some of the HP's, and click on some of the demos where they print out an example.

[Tuck]

thanks for all the info, my investigation has begun... I was looking at ebay but im leary about buying a printer used... I think im gonna get one New.

The 2200 seems like a good deal and im not suprised the swaying to and from Epson. Seems like every brand has its drawbacks.

I have one of those lexmark printers and they eat the ink too... thats where they get you! is in buying the INK. 2 cartriges cost as much as the printer itself.

Tuck

[Thirdyfivepickup]

I was just investigating this exact senario. I have a 5.0 megapixel camera, but can only print out 8X10. The guy at Circuit City said in 5.0 mode I could get photo-quality 30X36 prints. Sure... now how do I print em??? Our advertising dept uses a HP 1120C and he says its great.

Where can I go to get a 2592X1944 image printed real big???

The computer guy at work says to watch Ebay for a 1220c. They seem to average $200 (they are $489 new) but do I really want a used printer???

[Jeff Norwell]

[ QUOTE ]
but im leary about buying a printer used

BUY NEW.....Alot less hassle.....Spoken from experience....