Anyone using a dye printer to print on metallic papers?

[dgberg]

I will be picking up my used Epson 4880 this weekend. Its loaded with Sawgrass Sublijet IQ inks and am presently working with Conde Systems on a Mac driver.
We purchased this to run tests on smaller Chromaluxe dye sublimation panels.  In addition I
have a client bugging me to print some images on metallic paper with the dye inks. (I have Lexjet and Photo Chrome metallic papers)
Maybe someone can suggest another glossy paper that can get us closer to the Fujifilm Pearl glossy 3D look when printed with an 8 color dye ink?
Anyone working with these products and if so what profiles are working for you?

[dgberg]

Might be able to answer my own question.
Found out from Conde Systems that the Sawgrass Sublijet IQ ink formulation will not work on inkjet papers.
That means no paper printing with the 4880. Took a trip into Staples and picked up the Epson 1430 a 13" Claria dye ink printer and wow what a job it does.
The first print was on Photo Chrome metallic and the second on Pictorico white film. They both look fantastic. The metallic has a very very slight texture and the Pictorico is as smooth as it gets.
Anyone looking for that Fuji look this is as close as I have seen. I am going to do a plexi face mount with some of these Pictorico prints.
The big question is how long will they last before fading?
50 years is good enough for me.

[Mark Lindquist]

Sounds great Dan - the Pictorio sounds like it's the real deal.

I'm confused on two points.

1) Are you saying that you are NOT getting the 4880 (now that you have the 1430)?

2) You're making these as test prints for Dye Sub (your post says) does that imply you are still looking into the larger system capable of doing 48 x 60 or thereabouts, eventually?

[dgberg]

Mark,
4880 is coming Sat. and is going to be used strictly for dye sublimation testing of smaller panels to get up to speed. If it all goes well we are then hoping to proceed with the larger system.

I have a client who wanted 25 prints mounted on gator for a show. Wanted a hi gloss print similar to the Fujifilm pearl.
After printing several samples with the 3880 and 9900 we were not even close.
Knowing that dye ink was probably the only way to go I was planning on trying the 4880 out when it arrived.
I talked to the folks at Conde about printing on metallic paper with the 4880/dye sub inkset and was told the IQ ink would not work on those papers.
So I ran and picked up a 1430 just to do this clients prints. Only $299 and the output is just stunning.
He actually just left with the proofs and chose the Pictorico white film.

[Mark Lindquist]

Maybe I should snag one myself, Dan and try out my work using that combo (dye ink and Pictorio) and see how it all looks.

Your description sounds very convincing.  Great problem solving for your client, BTW.

[Robert DeCandido PhD]

Just a thought - the Canon Pixma Pro-100 might be worth a try too...great deals to be had on it right now ($89 with a full set of ink) - after rebate.

[bteifeld]

Ink2Image has Lyson Fotonic XG Premium inks as a compatible replacement for
Epson Claria inks. Maybe these can be used in a 4000/4800/4880 machine in a
dual CMYK configuration with a RIP to do dye printing on metallic papers?

This is just an imaginative, experimental thought- I have never done this.
I would be interested in the results if anyone tries this.

[Mark Lindquist]

Just a thought - the Canon Pixma Pro-100 might be worth a try too...great deals to be had on it right now ($89 with a full set of ink) - after rebate.

Thanks for that Robert - I found that deal at Adorama - incredible - too good to pass up - could actually print a couple of portfolios and throw the thing away for that price - just amazing.

[Robert DeCandido PhD]

By the way, if you purchase the printer from different stores (say Adorama and Amazon.com) you can (legally) get a rebate on both - because (if you read the rebate form) - they are different code numbers...so technically not the same offer...so you are good to go on getting several.

The Canon Pixma Pro-100 is technically not a pro-line printer...all this means is that when the waste ink container fills, you the end user cannot replace it (or dump the ink) - the printer will need a trip to Canon. What all of us are waiting for is a chip-resetter and third party inks in cartridges for this model...and the additional grey inks have apparently improved the color gamut as well (most folks think the additional greys are for B/W only).

IMO Dye Inks are the way to go...I prefer the dye ink colors vs. pigment...and the clog factor that so many complain about just doesn't happen...yes not as long lasting as pigment ink but so long as the print outlasts me - I am good with that.