georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

I see a similar topic which is helpful but my problem is a little different specifically: I sell a lot of 11x17 framed or just matted prints made on an old Epson 1280 but it is time to get a new printer. I got about 10 maybe 15 such prints (from one Black cartridge and one Color cartridge, which cost about $50 together) of great quality but I am wary of upgrading to the separate cartridge for each color printers (replacing a cartridge set that will cost $120) that seemed to have replaced it, and I know nothing about other brands. What is my best bet for replacing it?
I am thinking of the 1400 or even the new (Epson)Artisan 1430 (which is cheaper, at around $299 for a new one. Do the separate color cartridges enable more prints, for instance can I do 20 or 30 11x17's? (the first thing I hear is that it depends on the color of each print, a bunch of yellow flower prints will deplete the Yellow, etc., but my style seems to use all colors about equally, and the black has to be replaced less often than the color. One black cartridge on the 1280 lasts through 2 color cartridges. Should I switch brands? Or not?

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Good question. A potentially long answer.
Bottom-line, I'd stick with Epson; they are a great manufacturer of color printers with a lot of technology going for them. The multiple cartridge design is superior since you get to use all of each color or ink type. I find that to be much more economical. And Epson's ink management and monitoring is pretty reliable.

Canon is also highly regarded, but based on your experience with Epson, I'd stay with them. I have had great experience with all of Epson's mid to high range printers and scanners over the years.

Bigdaver

I have the R1900, similar to the 1400. I can use roll paper, that is the biggest difference.
I find that I have about $1 per foot cost in ink, yes it varies. I would say the biggest drawback in this style printer for me is when the ink gets low the printer locks up. My old printer had a "limp home" mode that did the best it could by switching to 3 color print instead of multi. You gotta have spares ready for a 1400/1900 Epson.
Quality is impeccable.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Bigdaver, yes if a cartridge is too empty to complete a print successfilly, the printer stops. I find that much better than limping along and wasting ink from the other cartridges. If using roll paper, it also wastes a few inches of that also. But with Epson's ink monitoring program residing on your computer that should never happen unexpectedly. It begins warning you when the cartridge has 20% ink remaining and persistently lets you know as it goes past 5%.
It's probably a matter of personal preference, so I prefer that it stop and avoid wasting more ink on a flawed print. I think Epson called it "Intelligent Printing" or something equally marketing-oriented

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

Does anybody use the Epson Artisan 1430? I think even the 1400 has been discontinued, although there are some new ones on ebay, they don't seem to be any cheaper. Used to be you could pick up a discontinued item for a lot less. Actually the new 1430 is cheaper than the discontinued one-I wonder why that is.

Bigdaver

True, but previously I had a HP that had multi inks and a CMYK all in one cartridge, it would print fine with that. Just a fun print, not an archival pigment print.
I print a lot of 36" panoramas, and often wind up surprised in the middle of a set.
I keep spares, it is the unexpected run out that gets me.

photoninja1 Loc: Tampa Florida

If you are upgrading, it might make more sense to look at the 2880 or 3880. The 2880 is available for about $440 due to an Epson rebate. Ink utilization is supposed to be better with these, and color is definitely superior.

GC likes NIKON Loc: East Greenwich, Rhode Island

Did you check the Epson website for closeout & refurb units. I think there are some 3800 series units on closeout.
I just bought a V500 scanner there for $99 No sales tax & free shipping !!!

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

I like the idea of a 17" wide format, but I already had a 7600 24"wide format, and the ink prices killed it for me, and I don't like the ultrachrome, it was good for lighter colors but the darks were a problem, they had a silvery quality. That big of a print I couldn't market easily, I did one exhibit hauling around huge 28x38 framed pictures and it was just too physically demanding, although if they had sold well I might have continued. The gallery I show at also had a problem with big pictures. The 13" wide format is about perfect for me. but thanks for your help and info, I appreciate it.

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

I looked at the Epson site and found a "clearance" page which had some refurbished printers. Is that what you meant? There was a 1400 there but I am still wary of individual color ink cartridges for $120 a set with no info on about how many 11x17 prints I can get. If they would get a refurbished 1280 or 1290 I would but it. Right now I am looking at a used 1280 on Amazon but cannot get any assurance as far as some kind of guarantee/return policy, even if it was 30 or 14 days. I don't want to throw away $250 on something that may arrive and not work(it happened to my brother once) Amazon will not give any kind of guarantee on private sellers that I can find. At least when you buy a car as is you can drive it first. first.

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

I looked at the Epson site and found a "clearance" page which had some refurbished printers. Is that what you meant? There was a 1400 there but I am still wary of individual color ink cartridges for $120 a set with no info on about how many 11x17 prints I can get. If they would get a refurbished 1280 or 1290 I would but it. Right now I am looking at a used 1280 on Amazon but cannot get any assurance as far as some kind of guarantee/return policy, even if it was 30 or 14 days. I don't want to throw away $250 on something that may arrive and not work(it happened to my brother once) Amazon will not give any kind of guarantee on private sellers that I can find. At least when you buy a car as is you can drive it first. first.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

George, I don't think it will matter what brand printer you use. This is only a guess but I'm sure newer printers have to be more efficient than older printers. When I bought my first seperate color cartridge printer I went through a similar process specifically since the cartriges had a higher combined cost of $120 per set. I'll give you an example. I have currently Two printers. A Canon 9000 mkll that uses 8 inks. Each cartridge holds 13ml of ink. That's 8X13ml= 104mls. That's way more ink than any printer I've ever used with combo colors, even with XL cartridges. You will never replace a partial ink. If a person wants to one can get compatible non-Canon inks on the web for $5.99 each, that's cheap, though I have not used them. I'm sure it's the same story for Epsons. I would not hesitate to get a new printer w/seperste inks. But as someone else suggested, if you are making money with your prints you may look into a roll printer. I have a 17" roll printer also and it cost me 1/3 the cost to operate the big printer vs my smaller printer. Yes the initial printer cost is a much bigger investment and the ink cost alone would bring even some tough photogs to their knees, but you would learn to appreciate the quality of the output and even come to love the lower operating costs. These printers are true professional machines. Unless you are using cheap costco paper the roll paper is cheaper and very efficient. You mentioned that you would waste a couple inches per print but that is simply not true. Mine prints right to the edge of the last cut. It knows where the end is. You would not print 11X17 but 17X11. Some examples of cost would be: 100 foot roll of Epson enhanced matte @ $39.95 per roll from B&H. Thats 109 pcs. at 37cents each + about 25 cents of ink = way less than $1 per print with high grade pigment ink. But the price of admission may be much more than you may be willing to spend.
George, I would certaily go for the seperate inks no matter which way you go. Good luck.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

Epson R2000, or upgraded Epson R3000, excellent choices for Photo's and especially B&W's

billybob40

Ink for CISS systems
http://www.ebay.com/itm/150624386625?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
The printer you need...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-EPSON-ARTISAN-50-AND-CISS-CIS-INK-SYSTEM-NON-OEM-/250843234173?pt=COMP_Printers&hash=item3a676bff7d
Email this guy and ask for a large format printer. For less then $300. your on your way.
Two ago I bought a Canon Pixma Large foemat 13x19 new from Staple for $150., Then I had hotzone made me up a CISS system it cost me $55. with the tanks full. It works great.
You need to get on the CISS system, for info on it go to youtube it will show you all about it. Good luck

flyguy Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico

The 3880 holds 9 cartridges at of cost of $60 each = $540, they are 80ml. capacity and will last a long time, but still for some it can be cost prohibitive. If one wants to do b&w printing it is an exceptional for that as well as producing very high quality color prints.