Digital BW, The Print

Firstly, I don't own a large format printer 
Only a cannon 9500 mark 1 and a Epson 1400(recent purchase for BW work)

To find out what I need to make the purchase of the Epson, I looked around and what I'm saying below is base on that.

I read about Piezo Flush. Basically clear ink base that prevents clogging when you wish to put your printer in storage. They do sell ink bulk or ready Carts

Example link (inkjetmall.com):
http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.362672/it.A/id.4435/.f?sc=18&category=39435

I think the cone color ink which you can find in the site stated above have a good reputation. But i think they are on the expensive side.

For example when compared with Inkjetcart.us offerings, 1 liter bottle of similar inks,  the cone ink cost 125usd while the one and inkjetcart.us cost 95usd

In general I believe that Original ink gives the best results so far. (Other more experienced member please weight-in on this)


Epson now offers 10 color and 8 colors printers. I not sure if they make a difference. 

About outsourcing the prints, I think it might be a possible route if your area has a good printer who you can talk to and get the color exactly as you desire. I don't have that luxury here.

With some math you could find out if its cost effective.

From your experience with the cannon printer, you know how much it cost in total for the past 3 years and also should know the rough number of 24 inch prints you made. So the average cost of each print.

Similar you can find the cost of a 24 inch print you can get for at a satisfactory level. You might wish to factor in several small prints in to find if you to the right color.

cheers






--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "LouisD" <lou@...> wrote:
>
> I need some advice from the group on a new large format printer.
> 
> I've been using a Canon iPF6100 24" printer for the last 3 or 4 years and have been pleased with it for both color and B&W work. The weak point of this printer is the head life (less than 2 years, and at $500 each, and two heads per printer, it can get expensive. At least they are user replaceable). It never clogs, but when the heads go, they GO NOW!
> 
> I want to buy a 24" (or possibly a 44") wide printer. I print much more color than B&W, so I want good gamut and Dmax. I plan to use the driver with custom color profiles, not a RIP. Ink costs are always a concern, and so are clogs. Low maintenance is HIGH on my list of priorities.
> 
> My biggest problem is that I print only occasionally, usually in spurts, and sometimes I won't use my large format printer for 1�3 months at a time. I know that's begging for maintenance and head clogging problems. I guess I could farm out my larger work, but I lose control over the printing process, quality, etc., and as good as color management tools are, I still often like to print a 2nd or 3rd print to get exactly what I really want.
> 
> I'd appreciate any printer suggestions. I am also open to other advise. 
> 
> I'd even consider a reliable used printer (workhorse) that will accept 3rd party inks. 
> 
> Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
> 
> Lou Dina
>