Why do problems always happen when you're busy!

[Justin]

Not sure that's entirely accurate pisquee. The Ricohs fire the ink out of the head with a greater force which helps to stop then from clogging. One of the biggest benefits to them is that they can be left switched off for quite some time, they don't head clean whilst they're switched off.

[remlap3]

They look good! Do they work with a Bulk Ink System or cartridges?

[pisquee]

The Stylus Pro models have refillable cart options (rather than bulk ink system with tubes) - but the refillable carts are around 250ml each (with 100ml ones, and 400ml available but not so common) there are also systems which your printer sucks ink directly from the litre bottles. Having wide format bulk inks will certainly give you the most economic option on ink pricing and give you more options of whose ink you want to use.
Also, they're not limited to only 4 colours, if you want the better colour quality this can give your prints.

[bms]

They look good! Do they work with a Bulk Ink System or cartridges?

Ricoh's work on cartridges - 75ml in the black and 68ml in the colours - 4 colour printing (SG7100 model). The Epson 7890 also works on cartridges which hold 350ml of ink per cartridge and are available in 8 colours. Closed cartridge systems are the way Sawgrass is focussing on now to better control the delivery of ink to the printer. If you go for either of these models then you also have the warranty of the printer also taken care of via your dealer/ Sawgrass. All supported Sawgrass approved printers have this warranty back up.

[pisquee]

For wide format world, you are free to choose whether you want a closed cartridge system or refillable cartridges from Sawgrass or a number of other ink manufacturers.
Some other ink manufacturers also offer warranty options too

[bms]

For wide format world, you are free to choose whether you want a closed cartridge system or refillable cartridges from Sawgrass or a number of other ink manufacturers.
Some other ink manufacturers also offer warranty options too

True, but you need also to clarify that wide format is for a print width of 42" or wider. The A2 models are not wide format as you allude to in your previous post.

[pisquee]

In terms of the original post of wanting a more robust/industrial printer, then the A2 models, as defined by Epson are the start of their wide format range, and in terms of build/print quality and reliability they are the same as their larger Stylus Pros. They share the same technology, print heads, and ink carts.

In terms of Sawgrass, and their point of view, they only view 42" and above printer carriage width as being wide format, although some Sawgrass dealers also seem to see the 24" models as wide format, and allow them to also be supplied with their wide format Sublim ink.

The Sawgrass patent itself makes no reference to printer carriage width, and the idea of 42" width (and above) printers having ink made by other manufactures which is 'licensed' by Sawgrass came about after a legal battle between Sawgrass and BASF in 2003, which was settled out of court, this 42" thing coming as part of that settlement.

[Justin]

I really think you're sending the OP way of on a tangent here. From the original post Steve is indicating that the B1100 whilst sufficient for his needs but he needs something more robust and reliable. There are many factors that would need taking into account if going down the large format route, initial purchase price and possible ongoing maintenance for example.

I feel that the thread is better served by offering good advice on small format printers which would suit the needs of 99% of members quite sufficiently.

I don't know the OP's level of experience but feel that we can offer him better advice here.

[pisquee]

As well as any suggestions for the problem above does anyone know of any more 'industrial' type dye sub printers? I've gone through 3 or 4 Epson printers over the years as at the end of the day they are home printers, or office printers at best. Does anyone use anything a little more 'substantial' ?

OP stated he wanted something "more 'industrial'" and 'substantial' than "home printers, or office printers at best"

This rules out the Ricohs, are they are also printers aimed at the home/office markets. If he wants an "industrial" level printer, which is "more substatial" than his current A4, then he is seeming to want something from Epson's Stylus Pro range,which when starting with the A2 models, are not "large" format in terms of footprint.

[Justin]

Maybe we can ask Steve to come back in here, let us know what he is looking at achieving, what his budget is and does he have a need for wide format?