Trying to move away from Sawgrass...

[AngieF]

I have been sublimating using Sawgrass for around 6 years with no issues until my 400 died and I had to buy the 500. I hate it with every fibre of my being. With the SG400, I had the Color Sync profiles so I could just press file > print and the colours were perfect - now I have to go through the Sawgrass SPM which makes everything smaller - so you have to remember to increase the size before sending it to print. My computer seems to send it to print in a really convoluted way and you have to send it to the SPM 3 times before it actually does anything and to top it off at the end of all that the colours are RUBBISH. Really dull and flat, especially the blacks. I've tried all the settings and faffed about with it so much I just need to find something else and stop wasting time.

I was recommended Ink Experts and getting an Epson but having just looked at the site, you have to check a box when you checkout that says 'I acknowledge that this printer is not compatible with Apple Mac computers & mobile devices'. So now I'm back to square one. Can this be right? I would have thought that most people were using Apple products. I have no idea where to go from here - any advice?

Thanks

[UK Printed Mugs]

Buy another sg400. We run four as no other printers match colour matching nor speed of bulk printing. There are usually one or two for sale normally. Apart from that then large format is only way to go unless you're not too bothered about colour perfection.

[AngieF]

I’d love to but I can’t find one for sale anywhere new and none second hand near me

Buy another sg400. We run four as no other printers match colour matching nor speed of bulk printing. There are usually one or two for sale normally. Apart from that then large format is only way to go unless you're not too bothered about colour perfection.

[webtrekker]

I would have thought that most people were using Apple products.

Thanks

That's quite an assumption to make. Why would you think that? Windows PC's are by far the most popular and will support nearly all printers currently used for sublimation.

Unless you have a particular reason to want to stick with Apple I'd suggest Windows and Epson as the way forward for you. A refurbished PC or laptop, or even a new mini PC is cheap and will be more than adequate for sublimation.

[AngieF]

I have a pc that I have to use for another printer and I don’t like it. When using photoshop and illustrator as much as we do Macs just work better. I don’t want to change my whole set up just because of Sawgrass

That's quite an assumption to make. Why would you think that? Windows PC's are by far the most popular and will support nearly all printers currently used for sublimation.

Unless you have a particular reason to want to stick with Apple I'd suggest Windows and Epson as the way forward for you. A refurbished PC or laptop, or even a new mini PC is cheap and will be more than adequate for sublimation.

[pisquee]

The bigger question, if anyone knows, is what is the actual problem with OSX and ICC profile handling, and has it not been fixed yet?

[AngieF]

Is this why the Epsons don’t work with Mac’s? Or is it why the colours are so abysmal with the SG500?

The bigger question, if anyone knows, is what is the actual problem with OSX and ICC profile handling, and has it not been fixed yet?

[Justin]

I'm not a Mac user, did dabble once but due to these limitations didn't go much further.

I'm wondering what the issues is with the Mac OS, is it that it doesn't accept or work with the profile? We use a very basic RIP software to control multiple printers and it simply applies the profile at that stage. We can save from anything as a jpeg and drag/load into the software and it works a treat, no need to set up specific software.

I'm wondering if this could be a quick fix? yes, you would have to export images and not print direct but it adds seconds.

Getting away from SG is a very good idea, as many thousands have in recent years but appreciate you need a Mac solution. I'd consider using Mac again if printing was easier.

[Justin]

Just checked and the software is available for Mac and even has a Photoshop plugin |I wasn't aware of. I'm downloading the trial now as it's slightly different to my version.

[AngieF]

This is the thing - I have no idea why exactly Macs don't work with the Epson products, in fact I had no idea any of these issues with the later Sawgrass models - I've been in blissful ignorance for the last few years happily sublimating with absolutely no issues and now I'm totally stuck!

Interested to hear how you get on with the rip software - please keep me posted. I have no idea how I'm going to continue working at this rate so looking to investigate any solution!