Is it time to start doing my own printing?

[Ken-L]

Originally Posted by stdon

Printing now is very easy. .............Don

I have little to compare to.... I have always used an HP "deskjet" and rarely printed any photos. The Epson 1800 is my first foray into "serious" photo printing.

I did have the BENEFIT of Randy Forshey's help in setting it up - a quick "How To".... without which I would still be fumbling around trying to figure out the right combination of features, etc. My total ignorance of printing didn't help!

In any case "printing is very easy" for me too (now) and the Epson 1800 makes me very happy!!

[zero rc]

the 1800 is a great printer! ive had mine for almost 2 years and i absolutely love it! like the others, i wanted complete control from capture to output and the 1800 met or exceeded all of my expectations!
if you do a lot of B/W printing, there is a 3rd party RIP caled quadtone RIP that some of you might want to check out. just google the name (or QTRip) and it should take you there. its a shareware program so if you are going to use it for commercial purpouses, i think they want like $50.
also, Ken-L mentioned getting his inks carts for $11! where are you scorring this deal? are they the epson inks? right now im getting my inks from this place online called atlex. i think im spending about $14 per cart plus shipping. my friend also showed me the epson clearance center where they sell factory refurbs at a huge discount! he recently got the r800 (the 1800's little brother) for a song and after deducting the price of the inks it ended up costing him i think about $50 for the printer itself. he now uses the r800 witha CIS system for his proofing and general printing.

[Ken-L]

Originally Posted by zero rc

.... Ken-L mentioned getting his inks carts for $11! where are you scorring this deal? are they the epson inks? right now im getting my inks from this place online called atlex. i think im spending about $14 per cart plus shipping.....

They are Epson's! But I actually pay less than $11.....I rounded up.

ERWINCOMPUTERS.COM - The Internet Superstore for Computers

This is the link to the inks: Search

[golfer]

I have been using a Canon i9900 for about 18 months. It prints superb photos.
There has been a maintenance problem [new print head-$78.00] which in all fairness to Canon, may have been brought on by trying different brand ink.
IMO, when you begin printing,[in house or outsource] you begin sharing you photos. Otherwise is seems more of a personal hobby.
I have seem Epson photos and they look great as well.
It would not suprise me to see one more fairley large step in printing and ink quality in the next few years, then I wonder how it can possibly get much better.
Best to you.

[Tom Swaman]

Golfer,

Great comments. I had two Canon i990s for a good while and an i8500(same driver). I never had a problem. I know another person who printed over 6,00 prints without a problem and without cleaning his heads. We both got wonderful prints in limited sizes and not archival. I now use a great Epson printer and get even better results that are archival and at a much lower cost and at a lower printing speed. The comparison of the different printers is truly not fair as their technologies are totally different. I like to print and I like the control I have by doing my own printing.

Tom

[golfer]

Tom, I am curious as to the printer and system you have now. It sounds wonderful, but would like to understand the technology.

[Tom Swaman]

Golfer,

I have the Epson 3800. It is wonderful! When you look at the price, do not forget to subtract the $400 to $500 worth of ink cartridges and waste tank include with the quoted price. This is another reason why I believe this is the best professional, pigment based inkjet available today.

Tom