Epson 1280

[arlene]

I'm seriously considering buying the Epson 1280. I want a good printer so I can make prints for shows, etc. The epson inks are rated for 25 years.

Is this good enough or are there other inks that'll be compatable in the epson printer?

[Fig]

I've heard good things about the Epson 1280. I have a more modest Epson 740, and I am very happy with its reliability, economy, and print quality. It came with Epson ink cartridges when I bought the printer, and the printouts were great. Since then, I've tried a few different generic ink cartridges (cheaper). Most are just as good as the Epson cartridges in terms of image quality. I have no idea about their archival quality.

Just as important to the image quality of the printouts is the paper you use. It really makes a huge difference depending on whether the paper is smooth, rough, thick, thin, coated, uncoated, etc. The Epson photo paper works great but is rather costly (about a buck per letter sized page)

Fig

[robinsn]

I've gone back and forth myself on the "which printer" issue for prints. The Epson 2000P has the pigment ink that is rated for 200 years and this would be my first choice except that the 1280 has a bit better print quality. I'm sort of waiting for them to update their 2000P to the better technology and then I'll buy. I personally don't think the inks in the 1280 are good enough to sell as art prints, but that's just my opinion for my own art.

[arlene]

Randy,
the 2000 is a bit too rich for my blood right now...and i've heard that the inks in the 2000 shift colors dramatically depending on the light you're in, whereas the colors on the 1280 don't as much.

I'd be selling the prints cheap enough so I'm not concerned about them outliving me by 100 years...after all, they're reproductions, not original art!

[sportpony]

Fig ... I've got an Epson 740 also and have been thinking about the possibility of trying some prints through it. Have you actually done prints with yours ... and what dpi are you scanning at to get the best quality?

Also ... what type of media ... and are you photographing the artwork and scanning the photo or scanning the artwork direct?

[Fig]

Originally posted by sportpony
Fig ... I've got an Epson 740 also and have been thinking about the possibility of trying some prints through it. Have you actually done prints with yours ... and what dpi are you scanning at to get the best quality?

Also ... what type of media ... and are you photographing the artwork and scanning the photo or scanning the artwork direct?
Hi Sportpony,

I use my 740 mainly for printing digital images that I have created in Photoshop. Also, I often scan existing art and edit it in Photoshop, then print the resulting image. When I scan art for output to the 740, I set the dpi at 300 while scanning color or black and white photos, or original paintings. If the artwork is lineart, meaning no greys but just pure black on white, then I use a higher dpi and scan as lineart. 600 or 1200 would be good for the 740.

I have used a variety of media in the 740. The Epson photo paper works well for me. I find the colors acceptable. I'm not too concerned about archival quality, meaning it doesn't really matter to me if the colors are rated to last 100+ years. But I'm sure media is just as important as ink when it comes to archival quality.

I scan original art whenever possible. Only if I have to, do I reproduce artwork as an extra step. Every time an image is reproduced, the quality declines.

Fig

[Michael2]

None of the ink jet printers with dye based inks are archival. Epson claimed the inks were archival, then tests done by people not being paid by Epson showed that although the inks were lightfast, they react with ozone in the air and change color in a relatively short amount of time. They call it "orange shift" because the printouts turn orange.

[arlene]

actually they claim that if framed under conservation glass on their heavyweight matte paper, the print will last for 25 years...I certainly don't think that's archival...

their new C60 printer is rated 75 years.

[KanuK]

Personally, I am waiting for the prices for true CMYK ink-jet printers to come down. Every time I do something on my screen it is in CMYK (I do graphic design) and when i need to see an output for true print, I have to run to Kinko's to have them output it on a laser colour printer. Too often, I have had clients say to me "It's not like that output you showed me...". I then have to try to explain the difference between RGB printers and CMYK printers and it becomes maddening... I thnk everything should be CMYK, if you ask me. RGB should be abolished! LOL!

[SuzyQ]

Actually the Epson color shift had nothing to do with the 2000P. It was the inks for the 1280. This problem has been corrected. The issue with the 2000P is for printing black and white. The blacks have a green tint. This can be calibrated out. Or, you can designate a printer to black and white and keep color on the 2000P. It is an excellent printer and the inks are still rated at 200 years, no fading.

[KanuK]

Just be warned that with ink-jet printers, if you ever get them wet, the images will smudge and be ruined... Not great for "Archiving" in my opinion...

[SuzyQ]

Good thing I cured that spitting when I talk problem..... I usually seal my prints with Krylon anyway. Is there an archival printing process that you wouldn't have to seal?

[KanuK]

Not that I know of... I mean but really. The imgaes you create now and store electronically, you can surely resave in newer formats and print in better quality as the years go on... Archiving on paper is, like, yah know... so, like 80's. Like, really! LOL!

Technology is not where we want it to be for maintaining printed work... use a CD and print it when the tech is available.

[arlene]

good point kanuk...or as i said...on the matte archival paper the print is considered good for 25 years...if in 25 years someone comes to me and says there's has faded, i'll make em a new one

[KanuK]

Absolutely perfect! By then, who knows. It migh all be holographic!