Åmund Posted April 6, 2011 Share #1 Posted April 6, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I´m planning to buy a 3880 this fall, to get my best summer picture on paper. It will be my first printer, so I´m not familiar with the use and maintenance of these machines. I will not use it frightfully much (it´s an expensive tool for low output, I know, but I want to spoil myself) so I wonder if the ink cartridges will dry up if there is a significant pause between printing. I have heard that the manufacturers of printers may sell machines at a discount, but never the ink since it´s the ink they have the really stupendous margins. But it is advisable to use originaI ink, is it not? Is there any other facets of printer use that I have to be aware of? Regards Åmund Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 6, 2011 Posted April 6, 2011 Hi Åmund, Take a look here Epson stylus pro 3880. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ho_co Posted April 6, 2011 Share #2 Posted April 6, 2011 Yes, it's important to use only the original inks. That's the only way to guarantee consistency of output, so that if in a couple years you want to re-print an image it will look like the first. My feeling is that more recent Epson printers tend to have fewer ink-clogging problems than was previously the case. I'm considering the same printer and currently using a much older HP; so I look forward to others' input. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted April 6, 2011 Share #3 Posted April 6, 2011 I am also a low-to-moderate user, so I wouldn't bother/take the risk of using third-party inks, although I understand that heavy/daily users - or people with specific B&W ink requirements - would go that route. FWIW, I never had head clogging on the 3880 in almost 2 years. This despite the printer staying idle for extended periods of time - nearly 3 months in my most recent experience. When you power it on again, it goes through some kind of self-cleaning routine for a few minutes (yes, that uses a small quantity of ink), and you are ready to go again. I'd only make sure that the printer is located in an environment with reasonable temperature and humidity levels - FWIW, my office is a fairly standard 20-22° C temperature and 45-50% humidity. Also, while the Epson driver is pretty good, you may want to experiment with other solutions. There are indeed (expensive, alas) RIPs out there, which should further optimize the output quality. I use QImage, which is much cheaper and gives excellent results (to my eyes at least). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted April 6, 2011 Share #4 Posted April 6, 2011 ... so I wonder if the ink cartridges will dry up if there is a significant pause between printing. No, they won't. Just let the printer fall into stand-by mode when not using it and always keep it connected to the mains. Do not switch off or unplug. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Åmund Posted April 7, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted April 7, 2011 Also, while the Epson driver is pretty good, you may want to experiment with other solutions. There are indeed (expensive, alas) RIPs out there, which should further optimize the output quality. I use QImage, which is much cheaper and gives excellent results (to my eyes at least). Would you care to elaborate on this? I am very far from being a computer wizard so you lost me there, I'm afraid Regards Åmund Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted April 7, 2011 Share #6 Posted April 7, 2011 OK - here we go... A RIP (or Raster Image Processor) is basically a specialized piece of software that bypasses the printer driver and manages directly the printer's hardware. Google something like "rip printing" for more info on this. RIPs are intended to control the way the ink is laid on paper in a more efficient way than the bundled driver, and also provide more adjustment/tweaking capabilities. In addition, they typically provide extra features, such as interpolation when printing large, page layout design, etc. Some RIPs are also tailored to specific printing purposes (eg, QuadTone for B&W). Without getting into technical details, QImage is a hybrid "poor man's RIP". I find it easy to use and particularly good at interpolating and sharpening. Now, the Epson printer driver that comes with the 3880 is really good and you may be perfectly happy with the results straight from Photoshop or Lightroom. In most cases, a RIP may only provide marginal improvements. If computers are not your cup of tea, I'd only go that route if you are unhappy with the results or feel the need to squeeze an extra bit of print quality from your captures. I hope this helps somewhat. Inkjet printing is a whole universe and there is a lot of information about this on the web. I'd recommend doing some reading before starting to print - it may ultimately save you time, paper and ink. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Åmund Posted April 7, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted April 7, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I hope this helps somewhat. Inkjet printing is a whole universe and there is a lot of information about this on the web. I'd recommend doing some reading before starting to print - it may ultimately save you time, paper and ink. Thank you, that was very helpful! Could you also recommend a good website from which I could start my research into the matter? Regards Åmund Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richfx Posted April 7, 2011 Share #8 Posted April 7, 2011 No, they won't. Just let the printer fall into stand-by mode when not using it and always keep it connected to the mains. Do not switch off or unplug. Epson says to turn the 3880 off when not in use. This is different than accepted wisdom for earlier Epson models. I use my 3880 infrequently - once a week or so - and keep it off when not in use. Absolutely no problems, and I understand that their new piezo electric heads and software have overcome issues with turning on and off resulting in ink usage and clogged printer heads. Rich Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke_Miller Posted April 7, 2011 Share #9 Posted April 7, 2011 I just received the Epson Stylus Photo R3000, which was released last month. I believe it uses the same inkset as the 3880, but in smaller 29 ml cartridges. It also supports printing on CD/DVDs and roll paper. If you do a lot of printing the larger cartridges of the 3880 bring the ink cost per ml down below that of the R3000, but the R3000 cartridges are $27 at Atlex versus $45 for the 3880. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgeenen Posted April 7, 2011 Share #10 Posted April 7, 2011 Sorry if "hijacking" this thread - what is your experience on ink capacity? I am a potential moderate user, too and wonder how long a $200 ink set will last ... Johannes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richfx Posted April 7, 2011 Share #11 Posted April 7, 2011 A full set of ink cartridges for the 3880 costs $450.| Rich Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblutter Posted April 7, 2011 Share #12 Posted April 7, 2011 Coming from the R1800, the 3880 is a dream. They solved every issue: Bigger carts (I print a lot of 17 x 22 - they last a loooong time) - no need for outside tanks easily replaced cheap overflow pad paper feeding clogging has become a non-issue - I've had to do just one extra cleaning cycle to make the test perfect from what was about 99% I'd stick with branded carts, the printer works so well I'd hate to screw it up Main thing, get your monitor and printer calibrated and coordinated - that's huge, cuts down on waste Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke_Miller Posted April 7, 2011 Share #13 Posted April 7, 2011 Sorry if "hijacking" this thread - what is your experience on ink capacity? I am a potential moderate user, too and wonder how long a $200 ink set will last ...Johannes If you are referring to the 29 ml cartridges in the R3000 - I don't know how long they will last since I just got the printer an have not used much ink yet. I believe they are significantly larger than those of all of the lower numbered printers, which generated a lot of ink sales for Epson. One thing to consider is that Epson guarantees a cartridge for only 6 months after it is installed. So I thought it worthwhile to match my volume of printing to a printer that will use up the cartridges before they go bad from age. I suspect 6 months is conservative, but I know from experience that they will not last indefinitely. One of the reasons I did not go with the 3880 is that I was concerned that the 80 ml inks would be too much in my limited use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Åmund Posted April 8, 2011 Author Share #14 Posted April 8, 2011 After carful measurement of my available space I realize I have to scale down my ambitions to a R 3000. The 3880 was a tiny bit too wide. But I will be happy with that one too? Regards Åmund Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gib_robinson Posted April 8, 2011 Share #15 Posted April 8, 2011 QImage is a hybrid "poor man's RIP". I find it easy to use and particularly good at interpolating and sharpening. I have been very happy with Qimage. It adds considerable flexibility to my 3880 printer which I also like. I do enough printing so that the 80ml cartridges are a BIG plus for me. --Gib Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted April 8, 2011 Share #16 Posted April 8, 2011 This FAQ is based on the 3800, but it will help you understand much about the 3880 as well. Learning proper settings (for LR or other software, as well as monitor and printer settings) is crucial to getting wonderful prints. There are many variables, any one of which can influence results. Papers also play a key role. Educating yourself on color management can also be useful (here are some decent tutorials, including ones on color management.) Given you a novice printer (and not a computer wiz), I highly recommend that you stay away from RIPs initially and rely on the printer driver. You'll be more than happy and when you've learned all the basics, and have lots of experience learning how to tweak results, you can decide if you need a RIP. I occasionally get a clog with my 3800, but it's easy to run a cleaning cycle and get back in business. As others have noted, Epson has improved the clogging and cleaning issues with the 3880. Jeff edit....I see you aren't getting the 3880, but my counsel still applies Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted April 10, 2011 Share #17 Posted April 10, 2011 Latest LFI gives approval (in context of outline review only) for the R3000 as the best A3 printer now available for the photographer. Even in the first weeks the price in the UK has fallen by £65-90 according to supplier. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted April 10, 2011 Share #18 Posted April 10, 2011 Thank you, that was very helpful! Could you also recommend a good website from which I could start my research into the matter? Regards Åmund Jeff's suggestions are indeed very good starting places (Eric Chan is a must-read IMO). You may also want to look at the Adobe tutorials/forums, as well as Norman Koren photography: images and tutorials (somewhat more technical in some instances). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris80 Posted May 9, 2011 Share #19 Posted May 9, 2011 well you can have a ink cartridges online that has the best brand and good quality... ____________________ HP C3909A | HP 51626A Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richfx Posted May 9, 2011 Share #20 Posted May 9, 2011 Slight confusion on whether to leave the 3880 powered on all the time. Epson's documents say no, but their tech rep told me to do so ("We leave them on all the time."). Does anyone have a definitive answer that best protects the printer and its heads (I use mine once a week or so if that matters) and is conscious of energy consumption. Rich Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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