[luisv001]

August,

While all these answers have been great, I feel you are not getting to the nuts and bolts. I'll be much more direct. Less politically correct.

Epson. Hands down. The K3 ink set as mentioned is the way to go. There are a number of options for you in terms of size. Given what I've read I would too suggest going to the pro level Epsons. In short, 3800, 4800, 7800 or 9800 series. The last two are 24 and 44 inch printers. Perhaps too much at this stage. The 3800 and 4800 should be what to look at. The main difference sheet vs. roll paper. This has been mentioned. In short, roll paper is cheaper because it's a bulk purchase. Inkset is the same case.

On the output. Color Gamut is excellent and recently improved. You get rich vivid colors that are stellar. B&W is second to none. These printers far exceed anything I ever printed with traditional methods. In short, the richest blacks you will ever see.

I use the 7800 in a portrait/fine art studio environment. I print my own work and make good money doing it. Print costs, including paper, ink and waste is about $1 per square foot. Add to that the control of delivery at my convinience and it's pays for itself real fast.

On the RIP software. I use a RIP. You have three main advantages with a RIP, depending on what you buy. First, is that you print directly to the printer in it's native CMYK. It is not RGB that has to be translated as is the case with dirvers from the OS. If you want total control and accuracy, it cannot be beat. Second, you have a great layout tool. You can arrange images on the paper to minimize waste. Excellent when printing portraiture work. Not so important when printing artwork. Lastly, a good RIP can be used with a profile device (eg. EyeOne) to create your own profiles for your ink and paper combination. Again, ultimate control. I suggest Colorburst's RIP. Very good and it's worked well for me. Pricey, but worth it.

I too love the abilty to create my final output. It's a wonderful feeling and gives me the same rush as when I first saw a shot I took develop in it's bath. My only suggestions to you is, get the best you can afford.

To sum it up.....

Epson. I truly feel they are the bar by whioch all are measured.

If you can, go to the pro printer line.

Keep the consumables in mind. The bigger the tank and/or the roll of paper, the cheaper the print cost.