Epson 3800 or 3880
UltraChrome:
Another reason for using the 38xx series as opposed to the 48xx or bigger is the cost of the black ink change from photo to matte. The 3800 is a couple of bucks, all of the others are big $$$ since they flush the system. At least one site quotes the change costing $75USD on a 4800. I think it's lower on the 4880 as they now use a "conversion kit" but it takes 10-15 minutes and still uses a lot of ink. It doesn't take too many changes to pay for a RIP on the 38xx. And, if you want to go longer than 90 inches on the 48xx, you'll need a RIP anyway. The Epson driver is limited to 90 inches.
Terry-M:
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And, if you want to go longer than 90 inches on the 48xx, you'll need a RIP anyway. The Epson driver is limited to 90 inches.
I don't think that is the case if you use Qimage (a fraction of the cost of a RIP). The Poster feature of Q allows you to overcome that limit when the printer is set to Banner mode. See learn by Example 6a in Q Help.
I was surprised to learn that the 3880 does not require flushing when the black cartridges are exchanged, what happens with the "wrong" ink already in the head etc., doesn't it matter when it is used up at the first printing operation after the exchange?
Terry.
Fred A:
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And, if you want to go longer than 90 inches on the 48xx, you'll need a RIP anyway. The Epson driver is limited to 90 inches.
With Qimage, you can print 590 inches long with a 48xx Epson. No RIP needed.
UltraChrome:
The 3800 only flushes the single matte or photo black cartridge, not the full set from what I understand. It obviously goes through some type of flush given the noises it makes during the change.
Also, thanks for the info on long prints on the 48xx. Didn't know that Qimage would override Epson's driver - why won't it do that on the 3800???
Terry-M:
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Also, thanks for the info on long prints on the 48xx. Didn't know that Qimage would override Epson's driver - why won't it do that on the 3800???
That is because the 3880 has no facility for roll paper and therefore no banner mode. Qimage requires Banner mode to be set in the driver.
Qimage does not "override" the driver as such but uses it's own Poster mode where a "poster" is made of 1 column and 'x' pages. Each page has to be of a size less than the driver length limit and each page gets printed on the roll as one complete seamless print image, neat! 8) I think my explanation is correct. Fred will put us right if not ::)
Terry.
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