Printer advice

[tho_mas]

Hi,

I am looking for a printer.
As I am actualy printing quite large in a lab (on Chromira and Epson 11880) I don't need (and don't want) a printer for very large prints at home.
Din A3 would do.
I think it might be useful to take an Epson that uses the same ink (ultrachr. K3) as the 11880 in my Lab - the idea is to make layouts/proofs on the same paper and get a very good idea about the large print that finally will be produced in my lab.
There is the Epson 3880, which is supposed to be very good.
But regarding the price it's a bit above what I am willing to spend for a "layout" printer.
Is there anything below 1000 Euros that meets my needs?

Many thanks!

[KevinWilliams]

Check out the epson R2400 or maybe R2880

[tho_mas]

cool, thanks!
I wasn't aware that the stylus photo printers also use K3 ink.
Do they also accept full color management?

[KevinWilliams]

Yes they should. I know my shiraz RIP that i use has both the R2400 and R2880 available

[NikoJorj]

Check out the epson R2400 or maybe R2880

Beware that with the cost of enclosed inks, they're actually more expensive than the 3880... A single set of these small cartridges cost around 100€/$ and doesn't last that long (some say 50 A3). Therefore, a 3880 shipped with a set of 80ml cartridges has something like 800$/€ worth of 2880 ink in it.

Bottom line : the price of a printer is in inks and paper much more than in investment.

[tho_mas]

Yes they should. I know my shiraz RIP that i use has both the R2400 and R2880 available

many thanks!
just found a supplier who uses the R2880 for proof prints. Looks good...

[Alan Goldhammer]

I had the 2880 before moving up to the 3880 and the major difference is smaller ink cartridges and the rear feed mechanism on the 2880 is somewhat fickle relative to the 3880.  To my eye the prints are identical (as already noted the ink set is the same).  As long as you are doing limited printing from the 2880 it's a fine printer.

Alan

[tho_mas]

Beware that with the cost of enclosed inks, they're actually more expensive than the 3880... A single set of these small cartridges cost around 100€/$ and doesn't last that long (some say 50 A3). Therefore, a 3880 shipped with a set of 80ml cartridges has something like 800$/€ worth of 2880 ink in it.

Bottom line : the price of a printer is in inks and paper much more than in investment.

good hint - thank you!
I think I will not print a lot on this printer ... so I think smaller cartridges are actually fine for me.
Too, I appreciate the smaller dimensions of the actual printer.

I had the 2880 before moving up to the 3880 and the major difference is smaller ink cartridges and the rear feed mechanism on the 2880 is somewhat fickle relative to the 3880.  To my eye the prints are identical (as already noted the ink set is the same).  As long as you are doing limited printing from the 2880 it's a fine printer.

yes, just some small portfolio prints in Din A3 and crops from the large prints that finally will be printed in my lab.
Sounds like a good printer for my purposes. The price is also okay.

[digitaldog]

Based on my math (and prices for ink on B&H) Epson 2880@ $1.27 per ml, 3880@ $0.75 per ml for the same Magenta Ink.

[KevinWilliams]

Again, i used 3rd party inks on my printers. They are a fraction of the price of OEM.

[digitaldog]

Based on my math (and prices for ink on B&H) Epson 2880@ $1.27 per ml, 3880@ $0.75 per ml for the same Magenta Ink.

My math is apparently off based on the size of the 2880 carts (not specified by Epson). The web site I got the ml values are apparently incorrect. That said, there’s no debate (I know of) that suggests the ink costs for the 3880 are “significantly” lower than the 2880. The Ethernet capability and larger print size is also a plus.

[tho_mas]

That said, there’s no debate (I know of) that suggests the ink costs for the 3880 are “significantly” lower than the 2880. The Ethernet capability and larger print size is also a plus.

in absulote terms certainly. But in my case: the smaller the better. It's really just for proofs and "previews"... and only for those prints that will be printed on the large Epson in my Lab. The major part of my works are C-Prints anyway.

[digitaldog]

But in my case: the smaller the better.

In terms of the printers footprint? Shockingly not a big difference here. I’m looking at the two side by side, the 3880 is taller and a bit longer but if I had to guesstimate, I’d say its not more than 20% larger than the 2880.

[tho_mas]

I’d say its not more than 20% larger than the 2880.

so only 20% larger for 200% of the price? 

[digitaldog]

so only 20% larger for 200% of the price? 

Yes if you believe that the only advantage for the 200% price differential is the physical size of the unit.

[Alan Goldhammer]

I have experience with both printers and the size difference is negligible.  The 3880 is a heavier machine however.  Bottom line is how much you are going to want to save on ink in the long run as the cost per print is less with the 3880 as was already noted.

[tho_mas]

well. I think I will make initially 50-60 prints and afterwards probably not more than 2-3 prints per month (if at all).
So the printer will stand still very often... which is probably also an issue with regard to the printer heads running dry?

[Jeremy Roussak]

well. I think I will make initially 50-60 prints and afterwards probably not more than 2-3 prints per month (if at all).
So the printer will stand still very often... which is probably also an issue with regard to the printer heads running dry?

I have not found it to be a problem on my 3800, printing at about that rate. I've no reason to suppose the 3880 would be any different.

Jeremy

[digitaldog]

I have not found it to be a problem on my 3800, printing at about that rate. I've no reason to suppose the 3880 would be any different.

My experiences suggests its not different. I can go months without printing without an issue. I DO run a nozzle check however.