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Thread: Need some printer advice

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    Default Need some printer advice

    I have an Epson Stylus Pro 3800 printer that for the last month I have been unable to get a print that is the correct color. My wife and I have tried, what we believe to be, all possible methods to correct this problem with no success.
    The printer is no longer under warranty. It can be sent to epson for repair and with shipping and insurance, Etc., the cost would be around $625.00 and the repaired printer would have a 90 day warranty. I already have a bulk ink system for the 3800 which cost about $275.00.
    I can get a new 3880 printer for $1200.00 but I would probably have to get a different BIS.
    I'm sure those of you that print your own pictures have been in this quandry.
    Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Jim

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    Hi James,
    I did a lot of printing with bulk ink systems. I am assuming that you have tried all the obvious--good nozzle check and correct profiles for your paper and correct paper selected, calibrated monitor. What profiles are you using with your bulk system?
    Have you ever got a color correct print using the bulk inks in this printer before?
    Last edited by Bonnie Block; 12-22-2010 at 12:15 AM.

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    James,
    I'll ask what is your normal print volume? The cost of maintaining a printer and inks is pretty high. Compare that to what you can get from a photo lab or even a box store (yes I said it). A fuji frontier produces some nice prints, and big box stores have them and ink ject printers to big prints. If you giev them a file, you can get a nice print where they do not manipulate it like they used ti do with prints from film. And the costs have gotten very low. So unless you are a high volume printer, maybe it is better to let someone else worry about the inks.

    I've maintained my own printer for many years. But my inks dried up after some long trips, and I don't think I'll get it fixed. I have found the local photo printing options to be much better than I thought they would be, even walmart. I still have my big prints on Fuji Crystal Archive photo paper with a Lightjet at the local pro lab.

    This thread belong in digital workflow. Perhaps a moderator here can move it.

    Roger

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    I don't think it belongs in workflow as James is not considering a lab.

    I have a 3880 and like it a lot. If you are sure you cannot cure the problem I would seriously consider the newer technology.

    How much do you print? How much do you feel you save using a BIS?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Bonnie Block View Post
    Hi James,
    I did a lot of printing with bulk ink systems. I am assuming that you have tried all the obvious--good nozzle check and correct profiles for your paper and correct paper selected, calibrated monitor. What profiles are you using with your bulk system?
    Have you ever got a color correct print using the bulk inks in this printer before?
    Bonnie, The system worked fine until we had some electrical problems with the office circut
    but we have everything plugged into a good surge protector. My wife thinks the mother board in the printer was affected. That's just a guess but one minute it worked fine then it can't get a good color print no matter what we do. What color printer would you recommend. Jim

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    Quote Originally Posted by Roger Clark View Post
    James,
    I'll ask what is your normal print volume? The cost of maintaining a printer and inks is pretty high. Compare that to what you can get from a photo lab or even a box store (yes I said it). A fuji frontier produces some nice prints, and big box stores have them and ink ject printers to big prints. If you giev them a file, you can get a nice print where they do not manipulate it like they used ti do with prints from film. And the costs have gotten very low. So unless you are a high volume printer, maybe it is better to let someone else worry about the inks.

    I've maintained my own printer for many years. But my inks dried up after some long trips, and I don't think I'll get it fixed. I have found the local photo printing options to be much better than I thought they would be, even walmart. I still have my big prints on Fuji Crystal Archive photo paper with a Lightjet at the local pro lab.

    This thread belong in digital workflow. Perhaps a moderator here can move it.

    Roger
    Roger, I really enjoy being able to print my own. I don't mind the extra expense for the ability to print right after taking the picture. Which printer would you recommend? Jim

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    Quote Originally Posted by allanrube View Post
    I don't think it belongs in workflow as James is not considering a lab.

    I have a 3880 and like it a lot. If you are sure you cannot cure the problem I would seriously consider the newer technology.

    How much do you print? How much do you feel you save using a BIS?
    Allan, I mostly print 5 X 7 and 8 X 10 but I do print to 17 X 22 the larger prints go to staples but they have trouble with different shades of black. B & H has a 3880 for 1300.00 but I'm no sure my bulk system will work with that printer. The BIS is $335.00 for the 3880. Thanks for your help. Jim

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    Quote Originally Posted by James Parker View Post
    Bonnie, The system worked fine until we had some electrical problems with the office circut
    but we have everything plugged into a good surge protector. My wife thinks the mother board in the printer was affected. That's just a guess but one minute it worked fine then it can't get a good color print no matter what we do. What color printer would you recommend. Jim
    OOOOOh--ouch!! That does not sound good.
    Gosh--I believe you could probably find a used 3800 somewhere--so you could continue to use your bulk inks. I have had good luck finding stuff on Craigslist--maybe Fred Miranda?
    I had a bunch of 1800's that I used for printing a calendar with bulk inks--even found a buyer on Craigslist that took all three at once when I sold them.
    I have the 3800 and the 7900--I use both- love printing myself.
    Good luck--hope you can solve this or at least get another printer. The only thing I can think of to do for a final test is to put the OEM inks back in and see if you can get a correct print with them.

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    Quote Originally Posted by James Parker View Post
    What color printer would you recommend. Jim
    Oh, I can't resist a response here. My inkjet printer is black and the laserjet is beige, but I think it would be cool to have a purple one.

    Seriously, I've been out of the home printing workflow for some time, so I'm not current on home printers.

    Roger

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    My wife has been a professional custom printer for years, primarily for the fine art market and mostly digital output to traditional photographic papers. She has recently implemented a fine art inkjet division where she works. They have both Epson and Canon wide format printers (I think they can go to 60 in. wide on one of the inkjet printers; they do some commercial stuff on specialized machines that's much larger.) At any rate, she prefers the Canon printers over the Epson which I thought was a little surprising given Epson's domination of the photo printer market. If there was a significant difference in the color output I would have heard about it, so I'll attribute most of her preference to usability and engineering design. I may buy a wide printer next year and I'll be giving Canon serious consideration. Anyone else have a chance to compare side-by-side between manufacturers?

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    I can see a new line of Barbie professional home printers in the works... :)

    Quote Originally Posted by Roger Clark View Post
    Oh, I can't resist a response here. My inkjet printer is black and the laserjet is beige, but I think it would be cool to have a purple one.

    Seriously, I've been out of the home printing workflow for some time, so I'm not current on home printers.

    Roger
    Chris


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