I have the 1280 myself that I've used for the past few years doing print design for school. Yea, the ink cartridges are the problem. They suck up ink like crazy. It doesn't help that the cartridges are just black and color only at $20-30 a piece. Plus, if you don't use the printer for a while, the inkjets will get clogged, so you'll have to print something at least once every few days. The utilities that come with the printer are alright and has some easy to use features like the head cleaner, alignment adjustments, etc. Don't get me wrong, the prints are fantastic, but make sure you use good name brand paper, otherwise your prints will look crappy regardless. I normally use photo quality, glossy 13x19 as well as 11x17 Konica/Minolta paper that I bought from Fry's and they're cheaper and look just as good, if not better than the actual Epson stuff. It was a tip from my digital photography teacher a long time ago. When I want to print 11x17 at full bleed, I just get 13x19 paper, print it out, then trim off the white. The settings I use are "best" and "natural color", and then I chose my paper type (this matters BTW).

If you have the extra cash, I'd say at the 2200 just because it's more economical with the ink cartridges, but you have more of them to worry about. Haha. Why do you need the wider format? To print posters?

 

Yea I got my ex one of those.
Damn why did I have to break up with her. LOL

 

the 2200 got discountinued for some reason. So I'm getting the 1280 as mostly a black ink printer. I'm trying to look for the cheapest play to buy it. they have a 100 dollar mail in rebate on it right now too. good till next month.

 

Thanks for the info! I need it for the wide format mostly. And also, it works with some of the programs I'm using for graphics on to ink jet film (for screen printing).

so I'm basically going to use up the black ink

 

you can always settle( :-x ), like my roommate, for a canon i9900:

http://techbargains.pricegrabber.com...non+i9900/fd=1

2200 are still availible like on techbargain.com. they went up quite a bit since i got mine though

 

Yo, if you wanna see an example print on the paper I use, show up at the next UCKK meet. I can bring some of my print material over. =)

 

you'd be surprised at the inkjet printers out there.

in january, i went to vegas for the CES.

i visited epson, hp and canon.

what impressed me the most was an epson model (forget the actual #).

this model had 6 color tanks. but the most amazing part was the paper. it came in a ROLL.

so you have any length output as long as it was like 11" wide (or was it 8.5" wide). anyways, the dude was just doing demos hour after hour and was just spitting out amazing images.

i think this is it:

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/c...s&oid=20306147

cause the dude told me costco had it for sale (then for under $600).

amazing stuff.

 

A little "Office Space" action on that epson.

 

damn.. I never get a chance to go to those meets. I wish I could see them, damn.. thanks though. maybe I'll see you at Mt. Hami? but by that time,.. I would have already decided on a printer

 

The epson 1280 is old. Older than the 2200. If the 2200 is discontinued, then that is very, very good news - finally a replacement for the best photo printer is coming. Do not forget the biggest advantage epson has over others - archival ink.

 

I'll see if I can get a 2200 for cheap. I'm concerned about the ink usage too. What's Archival Ink? Should it matter if the 2200 is being discontinued?

 

slight hi-jack. do you guys know of a Canon (or other inkjet) that is all in one(fax/copy/etc) and does very good color photos? possibly flatbed one.

Cheers

nick

 

Archival ink is pigment-based ink that reputedly can last for 75 years or more without deteriorating. Dye-base inks do not last that long, especially when exposed to light. For DIY photo printers, the 2200 has been the best thing since sliced bread. Nothing can touch it on matte paper. If you use it for glossy prints, you get a 'bronzing effect', where some colors look as if they are layered on top of others when you look at the print sideways. Picture quality is still awesome though.

Epson recently released the R800(??), an 8X11 version of the 2200, with a glossy ink cartridge to counter the bronzing, as well as smaller nozzles for the cartridges. Since then, I've been waiting for the large format version. Before Epson releases the next printer, they have to ensure that the stock of 2200 is depleted, or no one will buy them when the new one comes out, thus the discontinuation. I will suggest waiting a couple of months - there is going to be a replacement for the 2200.

 

Good to know! I know I'll definately upgrade printers in 6 months at least.

 

Good info! thanks for that..

but what would you suggest to get in the mean time. I need it for a business this month. in like maybe 2 weeks.