[Need feedback]Epson Artisan 1430/1500W

[mags1892]

This thread really interests us but I am a little puzzled. Although we currently use SG400's, 3100's and 7100's the talk of the 1500 over the past months has increased. For us currently then the prints from these Ricoh and Sawgrass printers is perfect for our needs (more graphical than photographic artwork we print) BUT I thought Sawgrass has the legal monopoly on ink for printers less than 42". So how come people are able to use the 1500 and legally get away with buying and putting in non-Sawgrass ink in the UK? I appreciate one wouldn't expect a knock at the door from the Sawgrass legal team but surely sellers of the ink might?

All the patents have ENDED there is no rights , infact SAWGRAS FORGOT to renew some licenses . they are trying to get new ones out but good luck with that. The wide format ended a while ago which is why they sold out to KIAN who btw have had some new patents in place.

[Justin]

The last time I spoke with Sawgrass they explained how they had so many patents backing up the small format licence that it wouldn't end for many years. Make of this what you will. SG refuse to respond to any direct questions since the individual patent ended....think of this what you will

At this stage I cannot confirm (I the forum) that SG no longer have the stranglehold on small format printing but will continue to attempt to clarify this and get an official statement. Here's one "Thank you very much for your kind support over the last x years...." No sign of SG saying that eh?

Sawgrass sold out to a company called Dover, again, I am unsure as to how this affects the business.

In the interest of fairness, the Epson 1500 can be run on Artanium (SG) inks as it was a supported printer.

[UK Printed Mugs]

This is most interesting. I think financially we would stick with the "office" sublimation printers we have for now until we need to go larger than 42" anyway but is it safe for anyone here to perhaps recommend a CISS system for the 3100, 7100 and SG400 which would bring the costs of ink down? As I say we have absolutely no issue with the print quality (for our needs at least) but every penny counts so if we can get cheaper ink now then of course we would.

[Justin]

You 'can' use refil carts in the Ricohs rather than a CIS, much cheaper inks are available but at this stage I wouldn't be able to recommend any. Some of these inks work well, some don't so be careful.

[pisquee]

All the patents have ENDED there is no rights , infact SAWGRAS FORGOT to renew some licenses . they are trying to get new ones out but good luck with that. The wide format ended a while ago which is why they sold out to KIAN who btw have had some new patents in place.

You can't renew a patent, or repatent something you already have a patent on, so there is no need for the other ink makers to renew their licenses - Sawgrass are left with no power, except people's remaining belief that they still have power - which is essentially all they ever really had.

[JMugs]

What are these dots of which people speak? I have put huge amounts through the SG3110 and never had dots. Granted the 1500w produces a better image, BUT the ricoh is fine for everyday sublimation. If dealing with good photographers, who know their RGB's, gamuts and ICC's then the 1500 is better. The vast majority of photographers have no idea about the things I mention. I see what they accept as prints from others....makes me shudder!

So back to the OP - Epson 1500w correctly profiled for various substrates, monitor profiled, is good.

[halcyon]

With my sg400 the dots appear on light colours and are more noticeable on flat areas of light colour. I printed of an image of one solid beige colour in photoshop and heat pressed it onto a metal insert.

You can see the dots on the printed paper but they become more apparent once you've activated the ink with heat pressing. I've also used different types of paper, trupix and xpres with the same results.

I've seen these dots occur in two separate sg400's. Is this an actual fault with the printer or is this to be the expected quality of the prints from a 4 colour printer?

I've used an epson 1500w in the past and never had this problem which is a 6 colour photo printer.

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[malkram]

Yeah that's why I just ordered the Epson 1500W. Just wasted €420 in this Sawgrass. Damn why people keep saying it's a great printer ? I acknowledge it's got a very fine quality but light colors literally suck!! You just can't afford to use it for commercial ends.. or your clients are cheap as hell

[UK Printed Mugs]

I would of said that possibly you have an issue with your print head. We have a range of Sawgrass printers and churn out light solid colours all day long for mugs, coasters, placemats and keyrings. All without fault and with PowerDriver v4 then things are even better. Not what you want to hear of course but I would return printer and get it exchanged. Cannot fault our printers.

[halcyon]

I would of said that possibly you have an issue with your print head. We have a range of Sawgrass printers and churn out light solid colours all day long for mugs, coasters, placemats and keyrings. All without fault and with PowerDriver v4 then things are even better. Not what you want to hear of course but I would return printer and get it exchanged. Cannot fault our printers.

I've emailed the supplier to see if they know if there is an issue with the printer. Do you own a sg400? I wonder if the ricoh sg3110 has this problem.