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Author Topic: Paper choices for Epson 3800  (Read 18807 times)
Sandy
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« on: October 05, 2009, 08:47:12 PM »

I'm expecting delivery of an Epson 3800 and have been researching papers but have got a bit lost in the sales hyperbole.  Everything is wonderful.  Being old fashioned and having used an HP7960 for the past few years, I'm accustomed to the terms matt, satin, glossy.  So I'm left guessing re pearl, lustre, fine art, etc.  Clarification would be appreciated.

I've ordered a small sample pack of Hahnemuhle but trying out a host of papers could prove expensive unless Epson includes a few samples of their papers in the box eg the Epson Premium Luster pack is a minimum of 250 sheets A4 in the UK so if you don't like it.....  Thoughts on sensible papers - or those to avoid would be nice.

Along with a number of Epson printers there is wasted black ink changing matt/glossy.  Is it straightforward to tell which papers (satin, pearl, etc) are classed as glossy and which as matt by Epson?

Thanks

Sandy
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Seth
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« Reply #1 on: October 05, 2009, 09:11:24 PM »

Try Clayton Jones' site and read the article, The Great Paper Chase.  http://www.cjcom.net/articles/digiprn5.htm  It may be more than you want.

Get sample packs from Red River and Hawk Mountain.  Hawk will give you a $25 credit back on your new purchase.  Both had options to build different packs.

Also, Hawk Mountain will let you print a supplied profile pattern (two sheets) on your printer, send it to them and they will build an ICC profile for you--free.

Epson will give you some papers but not enough to really do testing.  Their profiles are pretty tight if your printer is tight.  You can run their Colorbase to linearize the printer.
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Seth
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Fred A
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« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2009, 10:10:58 PM »

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Is it straightforward to tell which papers (satin, pearl, etc) are classed as glossy

The new printer drivers select the correct black; Photo Black or Matte Black depending on the paper selection in the driver. Same goes for the glosser.

Fred
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Sandy
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« Reply #3 on: October 06, 2009, 08:49:36 PM »

Thank you for the help.  The printer arrived today BUT it proved to be a demo model, missing the disk, any sample papers, and the cartridges were part used.  The company (Park Cameras, UK) was most apologetic.  They had sold out of new machines and had shipped a demo which was not apparent on line but apparently would have been in store or on the phone.  They have offered me my money back or a pack of new cartridges almost half the cost of the printer).  I'm a little cagey about the latter because my usage won't be that high and I don't want the cartridges to go too far out of date.  Maybe I'll let my wife or daughter negotiate; they take no prisoners. I just say, "That's generous.  Thank you."

I've been downloading software, manuals, etc from the internet and learning FAST.  Thank goodness for Eric Chan's site and that much/most of the control panel is pretty intuitive.

Re papers, unfortunately Red River don't supply to the UK but I've just checked Hawk Mountain and they do.  I'll check them out further.

I see the paper select makes it clear which requires photo black and which photo black.  That stops my swapping cartridges too often as I try out papers and controls.

Sandy
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Fred A
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« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2009, 09:06:06 PM »

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I don't want the cartridges to go too far out of date
Sandy,
I cannot comment on the rest of the story as that will be a subjective decision whether to get your money back or take the ink.
I can say, that I have never seen ink expire. It usually has years of time before expiration, and even then, I wonder if goes bad like milk. :-)
You will use it... and the machine will need cleaning if you don't print a lot, and the cleaning will use it too.
Good luck

Fred
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Seth
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« Reply #5 on: October 06, 2009, 11:38:13 PM »

Sandy-

Like Fred said, I wouldn't be too worried about the ink as long as they will give you good warranty on te printer.

 I have some of the ink (for the Picturemates) that expired in 2007 and 2008 but none has been defective.  I believe Epson's take i two years after manufature and six months after opening.  With reasonable storage they'll last quite a while.

Kind of like film.  I always watched for the short-dated boxes and bought at rock bottom.  Have fun.
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Seth
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BrianPrice
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« Reply #6 on: October 08, 2009, 09:48:01 AM »

Sandy
I don't think there has ever been a problem with using Epson cartridges beyond the date, I have used ones several years out of date with no problems.
I would accept the ink offer - the 3800 is a very reliable printer, but I would ask them to throw in a maintenance cartridge as well  Wink.
The 3800 is better than most Epson printers when changing between Matte and Glossy ink - Matte to Photo uses 4.5ml, back to Matte 1.5ml, that's about £2.25 and 75p, so you have to be careful with your workflow or stick to one or the other.
Good luck with the printer, it's one the best on the market at the moment and the quality with QImage and a good paper profile is stunning.

Brian
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Sandy
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« Reply #7 on: October 09, 2009, 10:12:09 PM »

My concern about the age of the cartridges is eased.  BUT I have turned down Park Cameras' offer.  Relative to a new printer (which will have a full set of inks), they are giving the ink that is currently in the printer which is about 1/3 of the ink.  Against this, the printer has seen significant use, is missing the installation disk (OK most or all can be downloaded), any paper samples and any introductory offers.  The company isn't inclined to improve its offer so back goes the item - no animosity.

Now looking for another Pro3800 and wondering whether to go for very attractive prices from lesser known suppliers or a fair price from a supplier I know I can trust.  I suspect I'll go for the latter.

Thanks again for the help.  I could be back to pick brains on this printer.

Sandy
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Fred A
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« Reply #8 on: October 09, 2009, 10:35:41 PM »

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Relative to a new printer (which will have a full set of inks), they are giving the ink that is currently in the printer which is about 1/3 of the ink.

Sandy,
I am not saying this is so, but I an saying you should keep a wary eye.
I have seen printers come with partially filled cartridges called a starter set.
I found a mention of it in an article, so I am not dreaming. See a paste below.
I thought maybe those 1/3 low cartridges might be the starter set?? If so, you got a good deal after all.

Fred


With decent photo inkjet and all-in-one inkjet printers getting cheaper by the day, printer manufacturers are trying harder to hold onto the huge profits that they bring in from the sale of ink cartridges. And let's not forget that many printer manufacturers include "starter" ink cartridges that'll quickly run out of ink and have you running back to buy those expensive "genuine" cartridges.
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