Advice regarding inkjet printer

[jampers]

Hi,

I already own a Ricoh SG3110DN which i use for sublimation however i now want to invest in a decent inkjet which i can use for framed pictures. I don't have the first clue about inkjets.

I'm basically after something which offers good value for money and something which will give me a good quality image (an image good enough to be sold).

Also, another factor is the ink cartridges, i'd like something which isn't going to cost a small fortune each time i need to refill.

I appreciate any advice anyone can throw my way.

Thanks in advance
Enzo

[Markus_Mleko]

Hi Enzo,

Do you have a budget in mind? Do you know what size prints you will be producing? any idea of volume you would be putting through?

I can give you a bit advice for desktop Epson printers, but nothing bigger. I also don't have any first hand experience of other manufacturers I'm afraid.

We currently use an Epson R3000, it's about a year old and we probably put on average 5-10 A4/A3 prints (on 300gsm fine art paper via the front sheet feeder) through it a day and substantially more near xmas etc. Haven't had any issues with it as of yet.

I won't bother with a write up as this on Northern Lights covers it in fine detail.

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/revi ... r3000.html

It's been recently superseded by the SCP 600 but I haven't had a play with one of them.

Also reviewed on NL:

epson SCP600

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/revi ... -p600.html

If you plan to run up to A2 it's worth looking at the 3880.

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/revi ... _3880.html


It's a cracking printer, and I'd probably have stretched my budget for it in hindsight. As if you plan to use OEM inks, it has massive 80mm cartridges bringing the price of Epson (expensive!!) inks down quite dramatically. Though All of these printers have third party ink/CISS systems available should you so choose.

If they they are over the budget you planned to spend then take a look at the 1500W. Another A3 printer, but it runs Epson Claria dye ink rather than the Pigment inks used in the above printers. This may have effects on the longevity of prints, though Epson claim 98 years permanence framed under glass for Claria anyway! We have it's little brother the A4 P50 which uses the same ink set and while it's a great little printer, it's definitely not built as substantially those mentioned above.

As for Canon I think the pixma PRO-100 is somewhere around this quality but I don't know anything about it tbh!

Hope that is of some use!

[jampers]

Hi Markus,

First of all thank you for the reply and some VERY helpful information.

Initially my budget was somewhere around £250 however i realise now i may have to bump that up a bit. I would like to print up to A3 - nothing bigger at this stage and i hope to produce around 10 prints per day whilst starting out. Ideally i would be looking for a printer with pigment ink but my budget will be causing me to look at alternative options i feel.

The 1500W Claria dye ink printer is an option and the price definitely fits my budget. I think if i bought this printer the issue may be with the build as you have mentioned. I think for starting out this could be a good option and as long as the ink does last as Epson have promised then there shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Many thanks
Enzo

[Markus_Mleko]

We sell prints on Not On The Highstreet, and I know other sellers on there that are definitely using 1500Ws quite happily, so I think it will cope with that volume without too much issue. If you do around 10 a day it should pay for itself in no time anyway

I think the Canon Pixma PRO-100 may give slightly better results as it's an 8 ink printer and has the greys, but saying that it's still a dye ink printer and almost twice the price of a 1500W. You are getting closer to the price of an Epson pigment printer at that price point.

[jampers]

Hi Markus,

Thanks again for your help.

I think at the moment i am set on getting the 1500W - even if this is just to start off, as you mentioned this will pay for itself.

Thank you once again

Enzo

[Markus_Mleko]

From an Epson fan I think you that's a good choice.

Good luck with it!