Epson 4880 info required

[Markie]

Hi all
firstly can I say I'm defiantly what they call a 'newbie' when it comes to sublimation. However theirs an whole host of info out there and I'm happy to have found a forum that I hope will help me decide how to move forwards.

my first question is about the Epson 4880 A2 printer, I've been looking at purchasing a reconditioned one but this has been used with std. Inks and not subli inks. Now before I go and spend quite a lot of cash can I be assured that I can flush the old ink from the printer and then add and use the subli inks?

i have more questions to ask and I hope to be able to participate in the forum.

looking forwards to your reply.

[Justin]

I believe those printers can be flushed. Is there a specific reason why you want A2? If so, you might well be better off going the large format route. If not, personally I'd not use the 4880, had one in a previous existence and really didn't rate it....but that could have been a one off of course

[Markie]

Hi Justin
thanks for the reply.
i mainly wanted to got to A2 as some of the images I wanted to print will be between 10 and 14" in diameter and possibly a little bigger. I still want to do the usual smaller items like T shirts and mugs but also was looking at the Epson 4880 as can be used as an hybrid with subli inks one side and what ever the other.

I'm open to suggestions/guidance, what do you suggest?

again many thanks

[pisquee]

You're looking for "INIT FILL" in the service menus to flush the current ink and refill with the new.
If you're wanting to use it as a hybrid, then you'll need some sort of RIP to control this - MultiRIP would be a good place to start looking.
Google for both of these.

[Markie]

Aha a thanks for that.. Seems obvious now that the epson 4880 would have that feature but I hadn't realised so quite useful to know.
having said that and in fear of looking stupid, what subli ink colours would I require? The epson 4880 has two banks of four that can be spit to what ever inks I required, I would only use four of these for subli inks..

still open to alternatives.

many thanks

[pisquee]

Well, if you are using the standard firmware with the Epson printer driver, you would need all 8 channels filling with sublimation ink in the appropriate ink colours that the printer expects.

If you are splitting into a hybrid, you would then use two sets of CMYK - either with both sides running sublimation for increased speed, or the other side could be standard pigment or dye inks, but for this you would need something like MultiRIP.

NOTES:
1. If going for 8 colour sublimation, you would need to source the 8 colours of ink, including light light black, which is a rare colour to get outside of Sawgrass' range, which is somewhat limiting to be tied to just one supplier.

2. If going with MultiRIP (or similar) the software can cost as much as a used printer, so you have to ask whether it (the 4880 and RIP) is a worthwhile investment.

3. In view of the above, a used 4400/4480 maybe a better option, as they are effectively the same printer, but just the 4 colours.

[Markie]

Hi pisquee
Thanks for all that useful info..
Not found much about the other two epson printers online but was looking in to the need for Mulitirip or similar and ended up on the Sawgrass website. From there for the epson 4880 there is are hybrid drives that enable you to choose from each slot depending on what inks are in there.
Am I on the right tracks here?

again thanks so much for this advice, I'm building up the a little knowledge before actually going out and spending the cash, but I'm really thinking about the Epson 4480 at the mo.

[pisquee]

There are users over on T-shirt forums more knowledgeable about things like MultiRIP and Hybrid printers, so may be worth you posting over there too.
I have seen that some people buy these printers 2nd hand, and then can't find the firmware and drivers to download to turn them into Hybrids without going the MultiRIP route. This was certainly the case with the 4000 Pro.

[Markie]

There are users over on T-shirt forums more knowledgeable about things like MultiRIP and Hybrid printers, so may be worth you posting over there too.
I have seen that some people buy these printers 2nd hand, and then can't find the firmware and drivers to download to turn them into Hybrids without going the MultiRIP route. This was certainly the case with the 4000 Pro.

thanks!! I'm treading cautiously before spending.
Again in fear of looking stupid what 'T shirt' forum ?
many thanks

[pisquee]

sorry - this: http://www.t-shirtforums.com/dye-sublimation/
Good resource to also look at, although mostly USA/Canada focusses in it's core user base, it has a much bigger user base than here, which leads to more diversity in topics discussed/experience shared - a good example being with Hybrid set ups. Not that I am saying you should not post/read here, as here is obviously very good too!