Digital BW, The Print

I want to start print in B&W, in this moment I have a good opportunity to buy an Epson Stylus 3000 for a very low price. My other choice is a Epson Stylus Photo 1410 
All yours opinion and advises will be appreciate.
Thanks in advance 
Augusto

"augusto marcuzzi" <augusto.marcuzzi@...> wrote:
>
> I want to start print in B&W, in this moment I have a good opportunity to buy an Epson Stylus 3000 for a very low price.

The old 3000 has very large drops/dots and poor paper handling.  Unless you must have that size, I would avoid it.

> My other choice is a Epson Stylus Photo 1410 

I assume this the the European version of the Epson 1400. Be sure you can get carts and chips for the 1410.  These slightly differentiated products are often used to separate markets and facilitate price discrimination among markets.  So, the chips are probably different than the 1400, making the US carts incompatible.


The 1400 is best value now for B&W printing.  MIS Associates sells 2 inksets that I've designed for it (and I use the 1400 with Eboni-6), and I think Jon Cone also sells inksets for it.  The inksets I've designed for the 1400 are described at http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Eboni-6.pdf (100% carbon and very archival and easy) and http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Eboni-6.pdf (variable tone and very flexible).  My general B&W page is at http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/

Again, be sure there are cartridges for the printer.  I think there are, but verify that before purchasing.  You'll probably have to load your own carts, but that is the least expensive approach anyway, and it's rather easy.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

Buy the 1410 - the Epson 3000 was a wonderful printer 12 years ago  - while they do age well, they cannot provide as fine a dither pattern as  the 1410 even at their best.
Associate Professor of Art
UW Manitowoc
920-683-4735



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