Epson wide format curl and cleanings

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jbzeus
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p.1 #1 · Epson wide format curl and cleanings

Hello, I'm considering moving up to to a 24 inch printer. After much research I will probably purchase a Epson 7800 or 7880.

So, my two questions are:
Is paper curl a problem with the roll printers? I come from a sheet paper printer. (Epson 2200)

I will use the printer infrequently and see posts about daily cleanings that are automatic using up 20ml of ink if you are not printing regularly.

Comments?

Thanks,
Jeff

Jan 14, 2008 at 12:44 AM

jbzeus
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p.1 #2 · Epson wide format curl and cleanings

Also, will leaving the roll in the machine for extended periods of time cause the paper to deteriorate?

And, should I purchase additional spindles for switching paper? I don't print on matte at this point so ink switching is not a problem.

Jeff

Jan 14, 2008 at 12:48 AM

Duncan Staples
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p.1 #3 · Epson wide format curl and cleanings

Deteriorate no - curl yes.

I purchased and highly recommend this:

http://www.d-roller.com/flashintro.htm

Ridiculously simplistic product but it works fantastic. I use the large version on Canon IPF8000 (44") and IPF9000 (60")....

Duncan

Edited on Jan 14, 2008 at 01:34 AM

Jan 14, 2008 at 01:32 AM

jbzeus
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p.1 #4 · Epson wide format curl and cleanings

Sooo... If I print 4 x 6, 8 x 10 ganged together then trim down I may have a pain in the neck situation?

Jeff

Jan 14, 2008 at 02:22 AM

rickmorealnd
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p.1 #5 · Epson wide format curl and cleanings

The closer you get to the end of the roll, the more curl, also.
I made my own de-curler. I took an empty paper roll tube and adhered two sheets of thin flexible plastic (similar material to laminate) to it. I insert the photo and roll just like the product advertised. Usually works. I use an HP5500P,btw.
I decurl and then cut out the prints. Easier to do one than many.

Edited on Jan 14, 2008 at 03:49 PM

Jan 14, 2008 at 03:48 PM

kdphotography
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p.1 #6 · Epson wide format curl and cleanings

I seriously doubt the claim of "20ml" of ink used for cleanings. Even with 220ml cartridges the ink would be depleted shortly, and that simply has not been my experience with the Epson 9800. Maintain good humidity. Nozzle checks work well when head cleaning is needed---which has been very infrequent for me. Great printer.

Curl----really depends on your choice of media. It has not been an issue for me.

Jan 14, 2008 at 04:10 PM

tomm101
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p.1 #7 · Epson wide format curl and cleanings

I'm sure you can use up to 20mls of ink, just remember that is over 8 ink tanks so it is 2.5ml per tank. This is probably an oddity but could happen. Every printer has to clean itself someway. Epson it is pushing a clean button, HP and Canon do it automaticly. Maintaining good humidity is a very good suggestion. Curl for roll paper is much less of an issue, it will still be an issue with sheets.
Trimming pages is not hard with a good sized cutting board a good stright edge and sharp knife, XACTO pencil knives are too flexible, so I use a metal snapoff knife, plastic ones are also too flexible.

Tom

Jan 15, 2008 at 06:47 PM

Wm. Velasquez
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p.1 #8 · Epson wide format curl and cleanings

I hope the OP doesn't mind me asking this so that you guys can answer it.

Is there an ink system that can be used with Epson printers? I mean the kind that you can connect the ink cartridges to a bigger one that houses a pint or a quart of ink?

Does Epson makes something like this or is it a third party?
How do you guys save money when you buy Epson cartridges?

--William

Jan 15, 2008 at 09:55 PM

tomm101
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p.1 #9 · Epson wide format curl and cleanings

Epson isn't going to make it, they feel the large 220ml carts are the best way to deliver the ink. So you have just a pint of ink in those carts, for the 7800. The K3 and K3 enhanced ink sets are excellent ink sets your cost per print is fairly low. If you are selling your prints you should be able to more than make up for that cost, if you can't then you aren't charging enough. If you are using a 7800 in a hobbiest role then you should have done more home work in the costs involved. At this point there is a almost a ban on selling chipped 3rd party Epson carts, I'm not sure if this includes the pro models or not.
After all that I had an older Epson 9000, the Epson inkset for that printer made vibrant colors that faded quickly. I used 3rd party inks that were more longer lasting, bought them by the pint, the ink manufacturer had problems with the Epson cart design and gave users an outboard CIS system. Media Street or MIS may still have sets for the pro Epsons.

Tom

Jan 16, 2008 at 04:32 PM

Terry Sutton
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p.1 #10 · Epson wide format curl and cleanings

After 370 days with a 7800 I haven't done ANY cleanings, head checks, nozzle checks or anything else. And I print very infrequently - normally ever Monday or second Monday. It also has periods of idleness for sometimes up to a month. Hassle free.

Now, monitor calibration? there's the hastle.

Jan 18, 2008 at 12:28 AM


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