Z3100 ink consumption

[Arhaeus]

If those who have a Z3100 could tell me, I want to know the consumption on square meter of ink. With gloss enhancer and without gloss enhancer (the maximum values and the average values) from what they printed so far.

[deelight]

I printed on HP ID Semigloss and HP Litho-Matte.

Semigloss: 0,3 sqm (Lab Test Page by Digital Dog):  4,7ml incl. GE

Litho-Matte: 0,5 sqm (light colors): 3,2ml

Litho-Matte: 0,7 sqm (dark colors): 8,5ml

It should be noted though that these are the numbers from the job calculation of the printer software. I am not sure yet how exact these numbers are.

I am very happy with the costs of the prints. In Germany a twinpack of 130ml inks is about 90 Euro (for 260ml) - so a 60x80 on Litho-Matte prints for 2-3 Euro (inks) plus 2 Euro (paper). I am very pleased with that.

Print quality is very good exept maybe some absolute special colors (that I yet nearly did not have in my prints, but see other threads on LL). The print of the Lab Test Page by Digital Dog meets the look on my screen more than 95%. I would guess 98%.

Best,

Clem

[dkeyes]

I'm averaging around 21ml for 16sq ft (1.48sqm). That's a 40x50" (102x127cm) image with lots of ink/very little light areas and full gloss coverage. I figure it's costing me around $11 (8 euros) in ink for these size prints and $17 (12.5 euros) in HP Prem ID gloss paper. Ink (if you buy the dual 130ml packs) is around 50cents (.37 euros) ml.

- Doug

[Arhaeus]

Thank you.
I will make myself some measurements and post it after I’ll buy the printer.
From what information I gathered from internet the consumption is pretty good. One of my concern still, is which color it uses on an area of C:100, M:100, Y:100, K: 100. Only one of the blacks, or will mix colors?

[neil snape]

Thank you.
I will make myself some measurements and post it after I’ll buy the printer.
From what information I gathered from internet the consumption is pretty good. One of my concern still, is which color it uses on an area of C:100, M:100, Y:100, K: 100. Only one of the blacks, or will mix colors?
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This was around firmware  version 4.0.2.
IF I can be so bold as to copy paste what I wrote before, as I've lost my notes:

I did the accounting on the Z3100 on the last 100’ roll including only image area with and without Gloss Enhancer and also roll feed Hahnemuhle PhotoRag.

With Gloss Enhancer the cost is a bit higher and the results prove the need though. So I would consider only figures with GE for photo substrates.

I get averages of 18.52 ml/m2  or 1.73 ml/sq. Ft.

Interpolated costs of ink assuming the bi-packs of ink are all the same for 2x 130 ml = $0.796 /sq. Ft. HP onsite store has listed them for $118. This will probably come down when more printers get online. Better resellers will have competitive offers yet give you the service and support that are a huge plus value for this equipment.

Or   $6.63€ (Euro) /m2.  = today’s rate converted to $8.61/m2.

These figures include all cleaning cycles but not calibrations. Calibrations are the covered surface of around A4 , or A3 for the built in profiles. The APS solution charts are more like an A2.

The figures for color and B&W printing are surprising close only less about 30% for quad tone B&W, and not a substantial difference without GE on Color.
It’s still mid grey that is most used, and GE of course depending on the mode used, off, economy which is all inked areas needing GE, except white, and whole page which covers the document set up size.

These numbers are on the latest firmware, so they could change with the next firmware as media set ups are still in progress of fine tuning.
I assume that a rip could have better UCR than the drivers yet compromising of course some of the photographic aspects of rich black rgb printing offers.