Digital BW, The Print

Tony Sleep wrote:

> If you have stuff to say, especially about B&W on the z3100 (because of 
> where we are) then I'd love to hear, to help me form a balanced view.

I have written a lot on this subject in several lists like I 
have done in the past on Epson wide formats.
All the aspects like the paper handling of the Z3100, the 
B&W side, the cooperation with Qimage.
There are issues, there's a learning curve, there are things 
that have to be explored, like with Epsons and Canons. And 
both Canon and Epson service have been discussed in the 
lists, the Canon warranty on the iPF5000 heads is a recent 
example.

If I have to print 6 rolls of 44" wide 40 feet long in 2 
days I'm not that nervous anymore with the Z3100, it has 
been different in the past with my Epsons. Though I didn't 
have to replace a single head on the Z3100 since early April 
and have cleaned it once in that time, it is also a comfort 
to know that I can replace a head easily and with little 
cost, the auto alignment works perfect then and no need to 
go for high dpi print resolutions to avoid banding etc, the 
color calibration does the rest to bring everything back. I 
have done that after cleaning the heads and carriage, 
capping station and it really works. There hasn't been a 
need for HP service for me so far so I can not tell what it 
will be like here. If I read the lists carefully there have 
been few reports about clogs, persistent clogs and dead 
heads for both Canon and HP while it is more or less fact of 
life with Epsons. Some people get an Epson that is perfect, 
some get one that has head issues from day one. With OEM 
inks and with third party inks. I'm happy with this Z3100 
that is a universal tool with its B&W qualities, with its 
gloss, and here it replaced more than two printers that 
needed much more attention than this one. That I have to buy 
more expensive inks than the third party inks I used before 
is compensated by the better ink economy of this printer and 
the fact that it will print without trouble 99% of the time. 
I can order inks and heads locally and collect them next 
day. 10 minutes on my bicycle into town.


-- 
Met vriendelijke groeten, Ernst


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