Looking for a new inkjet...

[mnotz]

Hello All!

So I am at the point where I need an inkjet that does bigger formats than your standard office type, mainly for proofs. I already have two fairly new and powerful HP Color Lasers (3800 and 3505) in my network but need to replace the printer in my office.

I am currently looking at the following three printers...one thing that I found odd is that the HP is the only one of them that "speaks" Postscript...what do you think how important that fact is in this day and age?

- HP 2800 (http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06b/18972-18972-236251-24728-3328075-3656598-429040-429042.html)
- Epson R1900 (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&infoType=Specs&oid=63073901&category=Products)
- Canon Pro9000 (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=182&modelid=12892#ModelTechSpecsAct)

Does anyone have any opinions / experiences with any of them?


Thank you so much for your help already in advance,
Marcus.


P.S.: I was pretty much lurking in the background over the last two years on here, but a promotion brought graphic design once again to the forefront of my duties and I signed up for GDF once again. This is one of the best communities and has helped me out more than once before...

[mnotz]

Well, today I went ahead and ordered the Epson R1900 after reading many very positive reviews about it on the web.

Just in case someone is also looking into this, the HP seems to be technology-wise about 2 years behind. Also very slow from what I read. What the HP has going for it is the big ink tanks which will result in a lower cost per page.

The Canon seems to be the preferred choice if you are looking at it mainly as a semi-pro photo printer, seems to have an edge over the Epson there, but overall the Epson seems to be the more versatile of the two and apparently also easier to calibrate output on.

We'll see...I will update the post after I received it and used it for a couple days, just in case someone is interested...

[jdd1510]

Nice, you'll have to let us know how it is. I looked at the specs and they seemed very reasonable, but at that cost wouldn't it be more cost effective to get another laser? Maybe it's just me but I hate keeping track of 8 different ink types :(

[mnotz]

Well, I have one fully "pimped out" HP 3800 Color Laser right outside my office door, and another 3505 right down the hall, so if I need to run just a quick working proof of something small, no biggy.

The main reasons to go with an inkjet was that I needed a way to get some higher quality working proofs printed in house and also be able to go up to 13x19 or full bleed brochure proofs, etc., which get's really pricey if you want "large" format (PrintDriver is going to chuckle at "large" here, I know it...) in a good quality laser.

On top of that, the Inkjets still have a big output quality advantage over the lasers, and most likely always will have, when using the right papers/Color profiles.

Needless to say, the cost per page stinks, but for what I am going to use the printer not that big of an issue, as it will be very low volume.

[sppe123]

Well, today I went ahead and ordered the Epson R1900 after reading many very positive reviews about it on the web.
Have you received it yet? I also got this Epson R1900 yesterday for only $511, the deal is still there
http://www.dealstudio.com/searchdeals.php?deal_id=90246&ru=290

[mnotz]

No, did not get it yet...paid $529, but thanks for remembering the thread!
Should be in today or tomorrow I guess...

[steve2112]

i have an epson 22000. Its about 5 years old and it prints wonderfully. Epson is the way to go. I never had any problems with it. I wish i could afford a postscript rip for it but for what i do it is really worth it.

steve

[mnotz]

That's great to hear...it is my first venture into Epson-Land, up until now it has always been HP Desk or Design Jets for me, but HP seems to have missed the bandwagon in this niche.

The only thing that I just saw is that there is only one ICC profile for the R1900 for one paper type available, with a remark that the engineers are working on new ones...let's hope they work fast. LOL.

I used to have a link to a web site that had tons of profiles for download but can't find it anymore...have to google that and see if I can find it again and if they list anything for that printer yet.

[steve2112]

cool check this place out

www.itsupplies.com
www.inkpresspaper.com

they have quite of bit of specialty papers for epsons. I have printed stuff off of mine on special canvas and water color. They have 2 sided glose text and so much stuff. plus there epson brand ink is cheaper. The inkpress paper have there own custom profiles to download from there website.

the only thing i hate about epson is the lack of simple instruction to do stuff but i made it through alive and get great prints.

steve

[mnotz]

Steve: Thank you for your suggestions...great site and I already placed an order for some paper. Looking forward to testing them in the printer and see how close the profiles get.

The printer has finally made it here, and I just received some Epson paper I ordered quickly from ST*PLES to have something to print on but have yet to do anything else besides a quick test print of a photo on matte paper, which impressed the hell out of me for the quality and smoothness of the gradients in the photo.

What I am most impressed about so far is the build quality of the printer. This thing is heavy, feels solid as a rock and every door or access panel feel solid and sturdy, nothing flimsy about that.

As soon as I get the other paper and some time on my hands to actually set it up the right way and get some color management settings going for it I will post some more experiences about the print output itself...

[steve2112]

Yeah. it took me a while to fully understand the epson and how it relates to color management as the manual i had wasn't of much help. if you need anything send a message

steve