can I use my existing printer?

[JSR]

Once again JSR, many thanks for a fantasic clear answer.
I have decided to purchase 2 Epson 1400. One for photo printing and one for sub printing.

That's a very good idea. If you have two Epson 1400 and you end up with your main dye-sub one having problems (which usually happens in the middle of a very urgent order), you'll be able to switch over to your photo printer to complete the order if it becomes necessary. If you had two different printers, you wouldn't be able to do this. Your photo printer effectively becomes your backup printer. Nice thinking!

I have been looking at empty systems such as this.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/empty-ciss-cis-for-epson-1400-FOR-SUBLIMATION-INK-USE_W0QQitemZ250571010806QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Toner?hash=item3a573232f6
What do you think about buying the sytem and ink as seperates?
Where would i but the ink as a seperate?
I see that the CISS system is £270 or therabouts, whereas the empty system is less than £25 and I keep seeing inks on e-bay all the time for part used inks etc.
Would it, in your opinion be worth purcasing an empty CISS system and try sourcing the ink from somewhere else. or just get the whole package in one?

When you're starting, I would say to get the CISS with ink from a reputable supplier of Artanium (Sawgrass) ink. When you buy the CISS with Artanium ink, it generally arrives "pre-primed" - that is with ink in the tubes and the cartridges.

It's usually a simple job of just putting the cartridges in the printer, securing the tubes and bottles as indicated in the instructions, and you're ready to go. If you buy the CISS empty from some third-party source, you'll have to get the ink through it on your own. If you run into trouble, will the CISS supplier help you out?

If you go for separates, you'll still need to get the ink. Buying the minimum quantity (125ml bottles at £61 each) will set you back £366 (inc. VAT) on top of the price of your CISS. However, if you buy the complete CISS with Artanium ink in one package - it'll cost about £310 (inc. VAT). That's £56 less, and no extra cost for the empty CISS, and no faffing about trying to get the ink through it.

Yes, there is a little less ink in a supplied CISS - 6x100ml instead of 6x125ml - however, using the cost price of 125ml being £61, then 6x100ml works out to £300 anyway. So, for £310 you're not being diddled out of paying more for the ink - in fact you could say that you're getting the CISS almost for free.

In addition to this, when you buy your filled CISS, you should be supplied with a CD which contains the correct colour correction profile for your printer and instructions of how to use it. If you buy an empty CISS and someone else's ink dregs off ebay, where will you get the profile from?

And, if you need any more convincing, if you do buy dregs of ink from ebay you need to ask two important questions. (1) Is it Artanium? There's no point mixing two or more varieties of dye-sub ink, because that will just lead to trouble. And if they say it's Artanium, do you trust them - or are they just saying what they think you want to hear? (2) How old is the ink? If someone is selling their dregs, they may have had it on their shelf for 1-2 years or even longer. If so, you don't want to touch it even if it's free!

Many thanks and i really do appreciate the totally professional and concise help that you have provided.
PS what does OEM represent?

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer. In this instance, "OEM ink" refers to ink manufactured by the same people who manufacture the printer. "OEM ink" for the Epson 1400 is made by Epson. "OEM ink" for a HP Officejet is made by HP. The phrase "OEM ink" is short-hand for "ink not made by any third-party manufacturer".

Hope this helps.

[TonyM]

Absolutely it helps.
Ok So I am going to go for the complete set up rather than the empty system and seperate inks.
I was just trying to cut costs I guess?
Where will I get the best price for the total CISS system?
Many thanks for the help and advice.

Tony

[JSR]

Where will I get the best price for the total CISS system?

I think you'll find that almost all legitimate suppliers of Artanium ink will charge the same price. Sawgrass kind of control the end price of Artanium ink - which is why 125ml will cost £60ish (inc VAT) from all legitimate suppliers.

This applies to the complete CISS as well. As I calculated before, 6x100ml of ink would cost £300 - so you'd be expecting to pay around that price for the complete system including CISS.

The £310 price I used before is from BMS ([url="http://www.printerowners.co.uk]www.printerowners.co.uk[/url]) but they're not the only suppliers. I say that so you don't think I'm pushing you towards one particular supplier. I use BMS and I'm happy to say that they're quick, helpful, reliable, and usually quite kind to your pocket, but I use other suppliers as well (and I wouldn't if they were no good! ). Here's the link to the BMS page: http://www.printerowners.co.uk/sublimation/193/artainium-easyflow-systems-printers.htm They do have an option to supply the printer as well, but you'll find cheaper printer prices elsewhere.

Although suppliers can't vary the price of the ink & CISS too much, if you are also planning on buying some printables (mugs, mousemats, whatever) and consumables (paper, etc), then there's no harm in trying to knock them for a freebie. If you're planning on spending £310 on the CISS/ink and £100 on supplies, be cheeky and ask them to bung in a pack of paper for free (usual price around £16). They might say "no", but what have you lost?

If you don't yet have a heat press or any supplies, you may find you can save a bit by looking at the available bundles. Most suppliers will do a "startup package" which could be as little as a box of various different printables, to as extensive as a package including heat press, a bunch of printables, pack of paper, etc etc. They're usually good value when you're starting out.

Even if you don't intend to push them for a freebie, I would recommend you contact your chosen supplier (either by phone or email, whatever's your preference) before you order so you can satisfy yourself that the supplier is easy to contact in the event you have teething troubles. Ask them a simple question and, if they don't answer quickly and with a clear answer, maybe you should be looking elsewhere. If they can't answer a simple question, what chance do they have of answering the difficult ones? The last thing you want is to spend oodles of cash on what looks like a good package, only for the company in question to not respond to your emails/phone calls.

Back when I started, there were very few suppliers so we tended to have to put up with the few that there were. Today, we have more choice.