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Author Topic: Printer for Fine Art  (Read 4682 times)

Sareesh Sudhakaran

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Printer for Fine Art
« on: May 22, 2011, 12:15:33 am »

Hi
I am looking for a printer that can print A4 (8x10) and/or A3 (11x16). B&W and Color. Either Epson, Canon or HP. On fine art archival paper (matte).

The problem is, none of the dealers here (in India) have a setup whereby I can check the quality of the prints in the format/paper of my choice. I couldn't find any reviews of small size printers on Lula, and the reviews on other websites are just plain confusing. Every manufacturer has a photo printer, but which ones are good enough for fine art?

I am open to A4 only options also. Are these printers capable of matching something like the 9900 Epson? Are there any Multi-function printers that fall in this category? If any of you has experience in using smaller printers I would appreciate some advice. Thanks.
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langier

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Re: Printer for Fine Art
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2011, 12:26:23 am »

IMO, you can't go wrong with the Epson 3880 or the Canon equivalent. The papers and inks available to you would be the determining factor for your location.
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Sareesh Sudhakaran

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Re: Printer for Fine Art
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2011, 02:57:39 am »

Thanks Larry. I'll check it out.

I'm open to importing paper for those special prints. I know one person here who imports Ilford paper.
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Mark D Segal

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Re: Printer for Fine Art
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2011, 07:21:39 am »

I support the idea of an Epson 3880. I used an Epson 3800 for close to four years and found it an excellent performer. The only caveat is that there is no roll handling capability for this printer. If you are not planning to print panoramas it's fine. If you are, you would want to look an Epson 4880 or 4900. Ink is cheaper for these machines because you can buy 220ml or 200ml cartridges bringing the cost of ink below that of the 3880 on  a "per ml" basis but whether this is worthwhile depends on the volume of work you will be printing, because the machines are more expensive.
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Mark D Segal (formerly MarkDS)
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Conner999

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Re: Printer for Fine Art
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2011, 09:12:20 am »

I'd have to agree on the 38xx. Probably the best (in the Epson line) compromise or combination of possible paper sizes, pro-level specs and modest (per ml)mink costs. It's also a good idea of buy a step above what you see yourself printing (as in will do 17x22 vs 11x16 you want now). If you decide to move up in print size you have some pre-purchased head room vs trying to re-sell a used printer (a huge PITA in part due to the #$%^& shipping charges) to step up to one with greater capacity.
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NikoJorj

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Re: Printer for Fine Art
« Reply #5 on: May 22, 2011, 03:54:36 pm »

I'm open to importing paper for those special prints. I know one person here who imports Ilford paper.
For matte papers, don't miss Hahnemuhle too.
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Sven W

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Re: Printer for Fine Art
« Reply #6 on: May 22, 2011, 05:31:54 pm »

If you accept up to A3+ the brand new Epson R3000 is a great printer.
Ultrachrome K3 with Vivid Magenta. Same as the larger models except for the x900 series.

Not so economical in ink, because of smaller charts comp. to the 3880.
But $850 instead of $1.500 for the 3880.


/Sven
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Mark D Segal

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Re: Printer for Fine Art
« Reply #7 on: May 22, 2011, 05:45:27 pm »

Much of the price difference is the value of the ink included. Strip that out and you can compare costs for the hardware alone. Do some math and you can work out the break-even volume beyond which the 3880 becomes cheaper to own and use. And the 3880 is a pro machine giving access to Epson Prographics support. The R3000 is not.
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Mark D Segal (formerly MarkDS)
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Sareesh Sudhakaran

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Re: Printer for Fine Art
« Reply #8 on: May 22, 2011, 11:36:26 pm »

I would never entertain an A4 or A3+ printer due to their high ink costs - the 3880 uses 80ml cartridges which are more cost efficient.

Example of ink costs -

Epson 3880, 80ml cartridge, £44.99 (includes VAT)

Epson R2880, 11.4ml cartridge, £11 (inc VAT) - £77 per 80 ml

Thanks Nick! I was definitely comparing the R2880 to the 3880...now I know.
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Sareesh Sudhakaran

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Re: Printer for Fine Art
« Reply #9 on: May 22, 2011, 11:39:09 pm »

Much of the price difference is the value of the ink included. Strip that out and you can compare costs for the hardware alone. Do some math and you can work out the break-even volume beyond which the 3880 becomes cheaper to own and use. And the 3880 is a pro machine giving access to Epson Prographics support. The R3000 is not.

Thanks Mark. I think I'll go for the 3880, or the 3885 (a newer version?)...whichever I find with my dealers here.
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Sven W

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Re: Printer for Fine Art
« Reply #10 on: May 23, 2011, 05:29:38 am »

Much of the price difference is the value of the ink included. Strip that out and you can compare costs for the hardware alone. Do some math and you can work out the break-even volume beyond which the 3880 becomes cheaper to own and use. And the 3880 is a pro machine giving access to Epson Prographics support. The R3000 is not.

The OP asked for:
"  am open to A4 only options also. Are these printers capable of matching something like the 9900 Epson? Are there any Multi-function printers that fall in this category? If any of you has experience in using smaller printers I would appreciate some advice. Thanks...."

If the ink costs are no 1, then the 3880 has double costs compared for the 4900. Right?

/Sven
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dgberg

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Re: Printer for Fine Art
« Reply #11 on: May 23, 2011, 05:50:16 am »

The OP asked for:
"  am open to A4 only options also. Are these printers capable of matching something like the 9900 Epson? Are there any Multi-function printers that fall in this category? If any of you has experience in using smaller printers I would appreciate some advice. Thanks...."

If the ink costs are no 1, then the 3880 has double costs compared for the 4900. Right?


No not double, approximately 50% more.
4900 - .43ml  200ml X .43 = $86.95 Atlex
3880 - .62ml    80ml X .62 = $49.60

« Last Edit: May 23, 2011, 05:56:15 am by Dan Berg »
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Sven W

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Re: Printer for Fine Art
« Reply #12 on: May 23, 2011, 06:52:04 am »

No not double, approximately 50% more.
4900 - .43ml  200ml X .43 = $86.95 Atlex
3880 - .62ml    80ml X .62 = $49.60

Correct.
And $0.32 / ml for 79/9900.

/Sven
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dgberg

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Re: Printer for Fine Art
« Reply #13 on: May 23, 2011, 07:33:20 am »

Doesn't matter really, as we both know the bigger the ink carts the lower the price per ml.
I kept my 3800 after purchasing my 7900 and 9900. To date it runs like a charm and is how I print all my 8 1/2 x 11 sheets.
Remarkable printer!
« Last Edit: May 23, 2011, 09:06:32 am by Dan Berg »
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Mark D Segal

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Re: Printer for Fine Art
« Reply #14 on: May 23, 2011, 08:09:33 am »

The 3800 was the most trouble-free Epson printer I ever owned.

Ink costs: one consideration amongst others in deciding what to buy.
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Mark D Segal (formerly MarkDS)
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Sven W

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Re: Printer for Fine Art
« Reply #15 on: May 23, 2011, 08:21:21 am »

A friend and colleague, printed over 4.000 13x19" 3800-prints, without a single clog or hazzle  ;D

/Sven
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Sareesh Sudhakaran

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Re: Printer for Fine Art
« Reply #16 on: May 23, 2011, 09:36:32 am »

It's really good to know that the 3880 is reliable. Thank you, guys, for helping me take my decision. Appreciate it!
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