willgil Loc: Newton, Mass.

I have been using an Epson Stylus Photo 1400 printer (dye based) for a while now. Thinking of switching to an Epson Pro Printer. Can anyone answer a few questions? Can you tell me the differences between a dye based printer and a pigment based one? I have also heard that larger printers jets will clog if not used daily. I'm thinking about an Epson Pro that prints 17" X 22". Any and all info on any and all differences would be appreciated. This is for archival fine art photography. Also have been experimenting with different fine art papers, especially watercolor papers and canvas. Curious about metal papers too. Thanks.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Willgil, Not sure what printers you are looking at, but I can tell you about the ones I use only.
First, the theoretical difference between the pigment is that pigment will last longer. Though if it last as long as is claimed, none of us will be here to test either one(100-150 years+/-). The advantage is that you can attach the buzz-word "archival" to your prints. Clients/customers want to see that. At home I use Canons. I prefer their ability to handle the Black/Matte Black since the Epsons can't do it. I have a 9000mkll(dye) and an ipf5000(small,large format, 17"roll, pigment).
At school I print with Epson 3800's, Epson 3880's and the Epson 4900. All pigment. The Epsons always seem to print too dark, I use four different 3880's. All seem to need to be lightened a lot to come out dead on and the monitors and the printers are calibrated once every week so at least they are consistant. For that reason I prefer to print at home.
Have not had clogging problems with any of them, mine or theirs. Sometimes I dont use mine for weeks at a time. Other than that they all seem to print about the same. I don't see any difference between the dye or the pigment. The bigger printers are cheaper to run ink-wise since the cartridges are larger. Also the roll papers cost half as much as cut sheets. I've used the Red River, Polar Pearl Metallic and its beautifull paper and works well with both the dye and pigment. The original metal process was a proprietary process from Kodak that may no longer exist but not sure. Others also make a metallic as well but I have not used them.
Most on here seem to think that the Epsons are better than sliced bread. Willgil, thay are just bread like all the rest of the printers. You will be happy with one I assure you but you will be happy with any of them. When they start at $500, they are ALL good. I would shop price over brand and make sure that the ink is carried by a local outfit such a Staples in case you run out and need it pronto. If not, make sure you always have an extra set or a cartridge on the way as it gets low. Do consider the Canon pixma pro 9500(pigment), I have not used one but some here say they are very good. Since you will use variuos materials, make sure the printer has a straight through feed path from the rear or front, so that you can use the very heavy papers, canvases or even real, treated steel.
Willgil, you are going to get barraged with the usual "this is what I have so it's the best". Read all the tests and pick carefully. My recommendation? Any of the printers that take a 17" roll. Also consider a good used one. Good luck.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Google in an ally

http://www.oddparts.com/ink/faq19.htm

willgil Loc: Newton, Mass.

Thank you for such a detailed response. I believe that the 3880 is the printer for me. As far as the papers go, I still have 3 or 4 more that I want to test. I've printed about a dozen test prints using my printer and the same image, using different papers. The results have been interesting, to say the list. I have called one store about the printer and their price was really surprising. One was 1149 before the 300 dollar rebate. Sounds like a printer that will last a good long time, which is obviously a major selling point. I have used nothing but Epson, and my philosophy is if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I am most happy with the 1400. The only reason I am considering the 3880 is I want to print larger. Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed response.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Willgil, the 3880 are very nice machines. You will not go wrong with one. They print smooth, quiet and relatively fast. The ones at school get used to death and I'm not aware they have ever had problems.
As for the paper, make sure you contact the manufacture to download their profile for your printer. Could make a big difference with the colors that are produced. Most manufactures have a physical copy of every popular printer to adjust the profiles until they are accurate. Do not give up on a paper till you try its profile. Also, call and order the sample packs. It's a cheap way to try lots of papers. The RedRiver sampler(8.5x11) contains two sheets of the metallic you had asked about as well as paper with a canvas texture( not real canvas).
JR's link is good. In order to get to the 100 year mark, photos need to be kept in controlled climates with no real light ever getting to them, which is unrealistic except in galleries and museums.

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

On a related topic:
To further address permanence and protection from UV light and water-related damage do not neglect the lacquer sprays available from Krylon, Inkpress and others. Available from local art supply shops in most areas, they offer excellent protection. They require a well ventilated, dust-free area for application. They can be shipped, although many venders (B&H for example) choose not to, because it would have to ship HAZMAT. Thus the art supply outlets.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Danilo, have you sprayed fine prints? I have used a water based spray to coat signs that I have printed. If the paper is thin, 90lbs. I think, and the paper gets wrinkly so I have never tried any spray on a fine print. If its haz-mat it's obviously solvent based spray. I knew a woman that was printing her art works, mounting to a board then coating with shellac and it seemed to work fine.
Willgil, please excuse the hijack, I know this doesn't help you get a printer, sorry.

Rangadang

Thank you Willgill very helpful and I will look at some printers.

Presently I am having nightmares with my Canon Pixma MP550, it is a wonderful printer and produces good results when I use Canon software or print directly from a file however. When I print from an edited image from PS the color is all to pot. I know the printer is capable of fine quality but the MAC & the Printer don't get on. Any thoughts please?

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Have a Pro 4600. VERY HAPPY. Has gone up to two months (not recommended) without printing without any evidence of nozzle clogs.

I like the Hannemuehle (sp?) papers especially Museum Etching. Great archival quality. Beautiful white.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Rangadang, I have a few thoughts, but they may be just that. You know that if you know a little bit it can be dangerous, well that's where I'm at right now.
I would look at something that in my mind may have an affect on your printer but may not. Since you say it prints fine from Canon based software. Your printer, I think is a CMYK printer. Makes all its' colors from four inks. PS is cabable of producing lots of colors, probably more than your printer is commanded to make or is possibltly capable of. If you are shooting in adobeRGB, PS can make more colors still. I'm not sure if PSE is also an adobeRGB product or if it uses sRGB. If PSE is sRGB it may give better results. I would try shooting in sRGB and see if that helps(smaller color gamut). I never print from PS, usually do all my final in LR or Canon DPP. Some here that know PS well, may be able to tell you if PS may have a print command with a smaller color gamut output that may work better for CMYK. Most dedicated photo printers use at least 6-7 separate inks or more, thus producing more colors and possibly being able to handle the colors commanded by PSs output. Not sure if this will help you but may be worth investigating. Call Canon and ask them if they have a plug-in print module for photoshop. Don't know if that exists. Keep in mind that this is mostly dangerous theory. Not sure it is helping.

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

In Elements>share>print photos>My printer