Printer purchase advice needed

[danb4026]

I was looking into getting an Epson Stylus Pro 4880 printer to produce a high quality finished product. This is for my home office. When I went and looked at it, I didnt realize how large it was.

 

Can anyone recommend something that could print at similar (or close to) quality that is not as large, and/or is a better buy. I would like to be able to print 11x17 if at all possible. But if that's not possible, then so be it

 

Thanks

[AJLynn]

Epson R1800 or R1900?

[danb4026]

I will research those now

[jackb602]

Or better yet, check out the Epson 2400.

[tecton3d]

i purchased an HP 9670 (9600 with double-sided duplexer) 4 years ago and love it though i have to admit that it's slow and ink thirsty when printing photo 11x17's. I'm currently doing roughs of my m.arch thesis book and the printer is always happily waiting for the next sheet:D

 

fwiw...i've heard nothing but good about the epson's though.

 

i'd say that if you'll be looking to print a lot of 11x17 @ full color, an absolute must is separate ink cartridges... i.e. at least 6 cartridges for 6 colors or you'll be spending a fortune in multiple color cartridges.

 

good luck.

[danb4026]

i purchased an HP 9670 (9600 with double-sided duplexer) 4 years ago and love it though i have to admit that it's slow and ink thirsty when printing photo 11x17's. I'm currently doing roughs of my m.arch thesis book and the printer is always happily waiting for the next sheet:D

 

fwiw...i've heard nothing but good about the epson's though.

 

i'd say that if you'll be looking to print a lot of 11x17 @ full color, an absolute must is separate ink cartridges... i.e. at least 6 cartridges for 6 colors or you'll be spending a fortune in multiple color cartridges.

 

good luck.

 

Thanks for all the advice...I am going to now research the the HP and the Epson 2400. I am also now contemplating the Epson Stylus Pro 3800, because it is smaller than the 4880.

[tecton3d]

keep in mind that the 9670 i bought has since been replaced by a new model. I don't know the exact specs but i expect it to be faster than my printer.

 

also, i've been seeing an increasing number of large format printers at office supply places so before you spend $50 on shipping, first make sure your local O Max or St@ples doesn't have it in stock.

[Scott Erstad]

Another consideration - media cost. The larger epson have very large ink tubs. They run about 70-90/tub and with 7-8 tubs, thats a lot of cash. The Epsons with the smaller footprint - the ink cost less, but there is much less there. Ther is savings in volume, which if you print a lot, I would go big, that cost will add up quick.

 

Scott

[AJLynn]

That's often cited as the problem with the Epson 3xxx series - higher per-volume ink cost than the 4 series.

[isagreg]

What about Canon PIXMA Pro 9000/9500?

[danb4026]

OK..heres what I did. I bought the Epson Stylus Pro 3800. Set everything up and went to print my first page, and Jam! Got error message to "contact service department". Turned out there was a broken part in the printer. Must have happened during shipping. Hard to believe because it was packed and taped up really well. Also, the push in/out to open paper door broke right away. Anyway I returned it to the place I purchased it and was told that the paper door breaks on every 3800.

 

I returned it and exchanged for the 4880. Much different machine. Much larger, sturdier, heavier, etc. Simply better built and everything works great.