You can print big on the larger machines, but you can't print small. I understood from Colorado David's inquiry that he was interested in printing for his own personal use and enjoyment. When I started out, I did a lot of printing at half-letter size (5-1/2 x 8-1/2). I worked on adjustments in Photoshop (he could try Lightroom), learned sizing the print and sharpening it, gradually going to larger sizes. For many years I enjoyed the Epson 2200. In recent years I bought the 3880 and then the 4900. But for 9 years now I've gotten a lot of printing pleasure from nothing larger than a 17" carriage. Yes, there is the desire to print large, but then one needs to be sure one's file quality is up to it. And I think I would have been intimidated trying to start out on a 24" (or larger!) printer. And then there are the times I want to print small, like the photo I printed on nice Crane stock (I think it was a blank invitation piece with a nice small design and some gilding, at Christmas). I personally would urge the 3880 for price and size and relative economy of the ink cartridges, or the 4900 if roll printing (for panos) is wanted/needed. The problem with printers smaller than the 3880 is the rapid use of expensive ink cartridges. Maybe the R3000 is worth consideration as a smaller printer with cartridges larger than the other Epson 13" models. I think the sizable Epson rebate ends with the end of this month. (That's just speaking of Epson, the only brand with which I've had personal experience.) Jump in and get your feet wet, and before you know it, you'll be swimming (in ink!). I will add that everyone who wrote that you'll soon want to print big, was right. --Barbara
