DSF

Hi I'm looking for a large format printer no more than 650 second hand and have seen a few Epson 4880's about but I'm wondering what I can print with this I was hoping to do canvas mainly and posters can this printer do this. I know they can be set up for sublimation but I have no idea where to get a a2-a3 press and want to make sure that if I get one there's plenty of uses for it. I'd love a solvent printer but way out of my budget.

for your budget, you could get a used proper wide format 7600 (24") or 9600 (44") printer, which would be better for sublimation if that's what you're wanting as you don't need the light light black ink that the 4880 would require.
17" isn't really very big for paper prints or canvases, and the wider printers will give you more scope.

I would venture A2 would/might be too small for canvases. If you were to gallery wrap the product which is very popular these days you need to allow a minimum of 3-4 inches to cover the sides of the frame. Given that the printed product is a maximum of 23.4 x 16.5 inches you are left with a maximum frame dimension of 20 x 13 inches which is rather small for a wall hanging product.

As Pisquee says the dimensions of the product the printer you are looking at is capable of producing is IMO too small for posters or canvases.

Any recommendations for printers in my budget and there uses beyond posters and canvas for non sublimation as I believe sublimation would be way out of my budget at this scale

I would still go down the 7600/9600 route - we use these models of printers for both pigment (reproduction art printing on paper) and for sublimation printing. and are very pleased with the results they give us. Just because they're big printers, doesn't mean you can't still use them for printing small things - we print 1000s of mugs and coasters, along with big fabric runs. It's just a different work flow, but a much better quality print than home/office printers give you. they're capable of paper and canvas printing, and feed from a roll rather than sheets - paper the printer can cut off after each print, canvas is too thick so you need to cut it from the printer yourself.

Any idea where to get them eBay is collection only and closest is 4 hours away and I don't think people will take me on a 4 hour drive as a favor lol

Ebay is the best place if you want it least expensive, although you will have to drive with a good size car to pick them up - you need to see it working, you don't want to buy these unseen.

Hello SoulClaimed,

I know you are looking for second hand equipment at the moment but if you ever need help with heat presses, solvent printers or sourcing Sawgrass inks for your new 4880 just let me know and I can help you out. I hope you get a good deal, personally I would take a look at businesses that use the machines you are looking for and see if they are selling any second hand, they are likely to have used them quite a bit but taken good care of them as they are an essential part of business after all.

we will have an Epson 7600 set up for sublimation for sale soon (which I have been saying for a while, but by soon, I am now meaning the next few days, to a week at the most hopefully!)

let me know the price Tim!