Epson vs. Ricoh ink cost

[dj_doubler]

So your printing 858 ish a4 sheets every 3 weeks? (see my first post) as some people are getting 286 A4 sheets from a new set of inks.
Sounds like to me that your printer is new? as if putting in a new set of ink carts, in a already used printer the cart levels would not drop much. i.e. a lot of peeps get hung up on the "ink in the tubes, priming the system etc" but in the end it will get pushed along and out on to your paper, its only the very first set where you are technically not getting all that you have paid for. When i stated my business i built in to my plan that the first set of inks would be for training, guess it depends on how much dosh one has.

Yeah printer from new... I was expecting it to drop so now shock horror :-p I am gonna order some inks so when the inks does dry up I can then just do a quick change and away we go again... I think ill get alot of prints out with what I have in there.... im just going to take my time as working full time (night shifts) and looking after my son its fitting everything in...

[bms]

Only problem I have been finding is getting the SubliJet cartridges cheaper then £160+VAT for a full set

We do them a little cheaper for a full set at £155 +vat. If members on here want to get together and buy as a Co-Op then I will do the set for £150 +vat including delivery. Will need 6 DSF members to go for this at one time. I'll post this in a different section now, so you can all see it and have a think.

[mugstore]

Hi All
Have just rejoined the forum after around 3 years not looking at it, Epson v Ricoh, I was in a situation in January this year when my Epson 1290 continous ink system developed problems, my supplier was out of stock and so were other places I had tried, so my supplier suggested as a quick (not cheap) fix the ricoh GXE3300 and cartridges, so I thought ok, gets me out of a hole and once I get my Epson 1290 system up and running again can put the ricoh to one side for a spare or sell it. 6 months down the line I am still using the Ricoh and the original set of carts (nearly empty now) I must have printed 500-600 mugs in that time so despite the cost of £200 for a new set of carts that still works out between 35-40p ink per mug, without the ink blockages,tempramental printers and ink spillages when refilling the system. The downside of the Ricoh GXE3300 is that it's only A4, and I have had to reinstall the colour profile a couple of times when my reds were printing slightly "washed out", oh and of course the image has to be reversed manually before printing, otherwise I would reccomend the Ricoh to anyone particularly anyone new to sublimation. I have now decided to continue with the Ricoh after using various Epson models over the years and now have an Epson 1290 and an Epson Photo 900 (both in pretty good condition, were bought second hand in October last year and the 900 still in the box I picked it up in, never used by me) also have some part filled bottles of Artanium ink if anyone interested in buying

[jcjohncruzes]

It is certain that the Ricoh is very expensive compared to the Epson. Even Epson gives you good results too. According to me about ink cup price is $ 1.5

[PersonalizedGiftz]

martin i will be wanting a set for the ricoh 3300

[bms]

martin i will be wanting a set for the ricoh 3300

Have replied in your other thread with a discount code for use for any DSF members.

[Lee]

and of course the image has to be reversed manually before printing

mine atomatically flips it for printing...using PS

[Draner]

Ricoh will never be able to compete with the epson on cost of ink.

Artainium= £0.48p per ml (inc VAT when burgh in 125ml)
Ricoh3300= £1.65 Per ML (inc VAT)
Ricoh7000= £1.18 per ML (inc VAT)
(based on BMS prices for a single cartridge)

If you have no interest in trouble shooting printers and all you want to do is print hassle free then go for the Ricoh. 99.9% of the time it will just work
on the other hand if you are planing on massive volumes and printing for hours a day, 5 days a week then it will work out better to go for an Epson with the CISS but it will require more work and maintenance.

[Stitch Up]

Andy is correct.

Ricoh will never be able to compete with the epson on cost of ink.

But, you have to weigh up the pros & cons of each. As I've never owned a bulk ink fed system, I can't really comment on it, but, some of the Pros for the Ricoh:

1. It's VERY fast
2. Excellent print quality
3. With the Powerdriver software, you can print from most design/graphic application.
4. Ease of use & foolproof - no ink issues *
5. It's portable - take it to shows - speed is important.
6. Low maintenance.
7. I'm sure there's more

Cons:
1. Expensive hardware
2. Expensive ink
3. Using Sawgrass inks can kill it DEAD - I know & so do many others!

John

[bms]

Cons:1. Expensive hardware2. Expensive ink3. Using Sawgrass inks can kill it DEAD - I know & so do many others!John

To be fair John, the instances of Ricoh's going 'Dead' seems to be electrical, I.e. No power on switch on for instance. This isn't to do with the ink, but some hardware malfunction on the printer.