Which printer do you use?

[Sophie Ploeg]

Hello everybody,

This is my first post on this forum - it all seems very interesting so far!

I am currently looking around to buy a new printer - since my old one broke down. I used my printer for business cards, greeting cards and reproductions of my pastel portraits/pastel art.

Which printer would you all recommend? Which one do you use, and are you happy with it?

I've heard good reviews on the Epson 2200P, which is pretty expensive. Or what about the Epson C82 with archival inks, or else the Photo printers 1290, which does A3 size prints and seems to have a relatively good price/quality balance.

Any ideas, thoughts or advice for me?
Thank you very much!

Sophie

[Marvin Mattelson]

The 2200 is the best out there. It uses seven inks which are pigment based so it's considered archival (with the appropriate paper combo).

The C82 is a four color pigmented ink printer. I use the C80 (the previous model) for my business cards (the ink is waterproof, but the gradations connot compare to the 2200). That said, my cards look pretty good.

Since I don't want to pay for the 2200 at this point in time, I am using a Photo 820 dye based 6 color pigmented printer by Epson (like the 1280) for portfolio page prints which look beautiful but are not nearly as long lasting as the ones using the pigmented inks. It came free with my son's flat screen imac.

When either of these break down I will spring for the 2200.

[Sophie Ploeg]

Thank you, Marvin, for your comments.

I am tempted by the 1290 because the print quality is said to be good - but the archival quality of the inks is about 25 years. I am still evaluating my art work to see if it is worth longer lasting repro's

It's all about the balance between quality and lightfastness. The answer might be the 2200, but that would seriously 'outbalance' my wallet!

Thanks again,
Sophie

[Marvin Mattelson]

Twenty five years under perfect conditions, air tight, under glass and out of the sunlight. The odor of ammonia could make it 25 minutes.

[Michael Georges]

Then consider a P2000. The P2000 is the earlier model of the 2200. The great thing about the P2000 is that it is wonderful, archival quality and you can actually get one. The P2200s are notoriously hard to get. I have a friend that is 3 months into waiting.

The improvement of the 2200 over the 2000 is in printing variations of gray. The quality of the 2000 is still just fantastic.

[Sophie Ploeg]

Thanks, I'll have a look around!

[Elizabeth Schott]

The printer Michael uses - Epsons 2200, was just voted printer of the year by Mac Addict

They say everything is great, the only down side was trying to find one in stock.

I like my Epson 1160, but I use a postscript ripping software with it.

[Marvin Mattelson]

There is a reason the demand for the 2200 is so great. The resolution is much tighter and the subtle gradations are much smoother. The price difference is negligible. It's worth the wait. I have seen them at various stores in NY City. If you look around you can find them.

[Sophie Ploeg]

I've heard reports (from a fine art inkjet paper company in the UK) that the 2200/2100 gives problems with the colour calibration. Apparently there is a slight 'bronzing effect' and pigment inks do not seem to work very well on glossy papers.

The 2200/2100 and the C82 come with separate ink cartridges, which, to me, seems like a great advantage over a 4, 5 or 6 colour cartridge (more economical). Do you agree?

Thanks for all your comments so far. Much appreciated!

Sophie

[Elizabeth Schott]

Sophie, I forgot to say welcome to the forum.

I am sure Michael or Linda C. can answer your questions regarding the printer output.

I was hoping they could answer mine at the same time:

1. Because of the problem Sophie has heard about, do you have to use a certain paper?

2. What are the costs of the replacement cartridges?