Large Printer for the Home
August 9, 2010 1:21 AM Subscribe
Let's say I'm willing to spend $500 for a printer...but my only incentive to do so (I have a normal printer now) would be that it allows me to print my own larger-format prints, on 11 x 17 paper (or even larger if that was possible). Does such a creature exist? If so, what would you recommend?
The printing would be split 50/50 between large graphic design prints and large photo prints. These would be for my own amusement. High quality is great but I don't have to satisfy a paying client with them.
Bonus if it uses some sort of ink system that can be replenished without taking out a second mortgage.
I'm willing to shop used if a) it's likely that said used device wouldn't be DOA and b) whatever it used for ink wasn't likely to go away (soon).
This would not get a lot of use (a few times a month, perhaps), but I live in the sticks and don't have access to a service shop where I can get this type of work done. I like to experiment, printing, looking, editing, and printing again, so sending it out to an internet-based shop to get it back via mail isn't really viable.
The printing would be split 50/50 between large graphic design prints and large photo prints. These would be for my own amusement. High quality is great but I don't have to satisfy a paying client with them.
Bonus if it uses some sort of ink system that can be replenished without taking out a second mortgage.
I'm willing to shop used if a) it's likely that said used device wouldn't be DOA and b) whatever it used for ink wasn't likely to go away (soon).
This would not get a lot of use (a few times a month, perhaps), but I live in the sticks and don't have access to a service shop where I can get this type of work done. I like to experiment, printing, looking, editing, and printing again, so sending it out to an internet-based shop to get it back via mail isn't really viable.
I've also owned two of the Epson large format printers, they've worked well.
posted by HuronBob at 3:38 AM on August 9, 2010
posted by HuronBob at 3:38 AM on August 9, 2010
Epson printers do make very good prints, but the print heads are not user-replaceable. They're also somewhat prone to clogging. So if you do end up with an Epson, stick with OEM ink, and if you haven't printed anything for a week, run a nozzle check to keep the ink from drying up in the nozzles.
posted by flabdablet at 4:40 AM on August 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by flabdablet at 4:40 AM on August 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
I had an Epson Stylus CX3800 that used DuraBrite inks, and it clogged and became unusable within about 18 months. After reading a bunch of other complaints like mine, I concluded it was the ink, and so, apparently, did Epson. I kept the CX3800 to use as a scanner and oversize media card reader, but found a CX3810 on clearance that uses DuraBrite Ultra inks. That printer sat unused and in storage for almost two years, and when I finally plugged it back in, all I had to do was one nozzle clean and it came back to life. That printer is still working today.
tl;dr: If you buy an Epson, whatever model it might be, make sure it uses DuraBrite Ultra inks. They definitely don't clog the print head.
posted by fireoyster at 6:59 AM on August 9, 2010
tl;dr: If you buy an Epson, whatever model it might be, make sure it uses DuraBrite Ultra inks. They definitely don't clog the print head.
posted by fireoyster at 6:59 AM on August 9, 2010
To clarify: I used the CX3810 for about a year, put it in storage when I moved, and brought it back out 2 years later with the same ink cartridges still in it. It started working perfectly right after running "nozzle clean."
posted by fireoyster at 7:00 AM on August 9, 2010
posted by fireoyster at 7:00 AM on August 9, 2010
The Canon Pro9000 is in your price range, has great reviews, and apparently doesn't have the clogging issues that Epsons do (speaking from firsthand experience -- I'm reluctant to ever buy an Epson inkjet again because of it)
posted by schmod at 7:10 AM on August 9, 2010
posted by schmod at 7:10 AM on August 9, 2010
Canon printers, like Epson ones, make beautiful prints and have generally trouble-free drivers. Unlike Epsons, they do have user-replaceable print heads.
OEM ink is punitively expensive for the low-end sub-$100 Canon printers, but quite reasonable for the more expensive ones.
posted by flabdablet at 5:24 PM on August 9, 2010
OEM ink is punitively expensive for the low-end sub-$100 Canon printers, but quite reasonable for the more expensive ones.
posted by flabdablet at 5:24 PM on August 9, 2010
I love my Epson R1900. I got it from Newegg for $335 as an open box, they sent me a brand new sealed one with UPC. I submitted the $150 rebate on it to Epson and I got it for the low price of $185. The go new for $500. Here's the Amazon link for the R1900 with a bunch of reviews.
I got my ink cheap off eBay, OEM inks, not 3d party, for about $30 a set. T-shirt guys love this printer, but the first thing they do is put in a CIS and sell the ink that came with the printer for a steal on eBay. I grab those whenever I see them. I print mostly 11x17 and 5x7. Snapshots get 5x7 and prints I really like get 11x17 and go in my big photo book.
posted by Brian Puccio at 6:05 PM on August 9, 2010
I got my ink cheap off eBay, OEM inks, not 3d party, for about $30 a set. T-shirt guys love this printer, but the first thing they do is put in a CIS and sell the ink that came with the printer for a steal on eBay. I grab those whenever I see them. I print mostly 11x17 and 5x7. Snapshots get 5x7 and prints I really like get 11x17 and go in my big photo book.
posted by Brian Puccio at 6:05 PM on August 9, 2010
I used an Epson 1280 (the precursor to the 1400) for years, on a daily basis, and never needed to worry about the print heads. I would be surprised if it suddenly became a big issue on the 1400. I've used a 1400 on a daily basis for the last year or so and it has thus far not been a problem.
posted by Sara C. at 2:49 PM on August 10, 2010
posted by Sara C. at 2:49 PM on August 10, 2010
Sara, did you use OEM or aftermarket inks in that printer?
Using an Epson on a daily basis with OEM ink (or aftermarket ink if it's good aftermarket ink - Calidad? ack pfui) is indeed the best way to stop it clogging. In my experience, clogging is mainly an issue for Epsons that get only sporadic use.
posted by flabdablet at 4:21 PM on August 10, 2010
Using an Epson on a daily basis with OEM ink (or aftermarket ink if it's good aftermarket ink - Calidad? ack pfui) is indeed the best way to stop it clogging. In my experience, clogging is mainly an issue for Epsons that get only sporadic use.
posted by flabdablet at 4:21 PM on August 10, 2010
OEM all the way. It's been for work, on a job with actual money. They buy the good stuff.
posted by Sara C. at 5:16 PM on August 10, 2010
posted by Sara C. at 5:16 PM on August 10, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
It uses 6 different color ink cartridges and one black one. It sounds extreme, but it allows you to replace only what you need.
The thing that I love most about this printer is that in OSX, its drivers are fantastic. I've had a LOT of issues with HP drivers over the years, and this printer was dead simple to set up.
It's not an insanely fast printer, but for the money paid, it's served me well.
posted by aloiv2 at 2:05 AM on August 9, 2010