Interesting, 17x25. I'm pretty sure I've read in an Epson paper that 17x22 was the maximum on the 3800?! 25" is just that bit more useful to me as one could print 16 x 24 in original 35mm 2:3 ratio.
Then again, I mostly print A4 sized B&Ws. A small printer would make much more sense for me. One that accepts the 3800 sized ink cartridges
John Caldwell wrote:
Who provides 17x25 sheet goods? Atlex didn't seem to list any.
Yes, DIS Ottowa, Epson Velvet Fine Art has long been my favorite matte medium. Strangely, it's 17x22 only - no rool goods. Am I right?
Yes, not available in rolls. I wish more papers were available in 17"x25" as that is pretty close to the sensor ratio, i.e. in Photoshop when I type 17" in Image Size, 25.5" pops up for the other dimension. I hate losing that much from my photos.
Harman FB AL (amazing for B&Ws) comes in 17x 25 as do other Harmans, but yes, the max (borderless) cut sheet image the 3800 will print is 17 x 22 - which is the more common 17" wide paper length.
That said, you can use a custom paper size (which is what Epson apparently considers 17 x 25) , for non-borderless print up to 16.76 inches by 24.76 inches.
Mind you I haven't tried it yet but will be very soon.
Natively the 3800 can print up to 37" long but you have to cut roll paper and feed it manually and here's the link to InkJetArt's test on that: http://www.inkjetart.com/3800/report/index.html
scroll about 1/3 down the page for the 37" test and how to do it natively.
Setting a custom size takes 2 mins. Pick "+" under the custom size option in the paper size list to add one and once you select that it's for the 3800, the driver sets the minimum margins (roughly 0.4 cm) and you type in 17 x 25 (converted into cm 1" = 2.54cm), and the name the custom. After that it comes up in your paper size selection list with the rest.
FYI I know many photogs that also use this device:
Yes, Conner999, Michael Reichman demonstrates the Bienfang De-Roller in his Camera to Print tutorial. Cheap it isn't at $260, but it does look like a good way to deal with roll paper, prior to matting or ever prior to printing if you're making sheet goods from roll goods.
This discussion has led me to go ahead with the 3800, rather than a 13' machine. Thanks to everyone for sharing ideas.
For those who have researched their own 3800 purchases, what factors influenced your decision to buy the Pro, Portrait or non-deluxe 3800 models?
I think I will probably go for the 3800 too. Atlex's price, plus free shipping, plus the $200 rebate from Epson makes it seem the sensible thing for me to do. I have agonized over all the 13" printers, and they all have things about them that I know will aggravate me:
HP B9180 ... horrible reliability record, lousy HP support, small ink tanks
Canon Pixma Pro 9500 and 9000 ... tiny ink tanks, 35mm white border on fine art paper
Epson 1900 ... mediocre b&w, I don't print glossy, tiny ink tanks
Epson 2880 ... Black tank switching & associated wastage, tiny ink tanks
Considering what you can get one for and considering it comes with what would be about $500 in ink on any of the 13" printers, the 3800 makes a lot of sense to me. Thanks for re-calibrating my thinking on the matter!
Buying the standard Pro 3800 was easy for me; I didn't need the software associated with the pricier versions. If a post above is true about the standard version now having a $200 rebate; it would be a fantastic price. I thought the non-rebate price of $1149.00 shipped from Atlex was great as the cheapest other I found was $1299.00. Later I discovered Amazon was selling for $1145.00 but can't recall if shipping was included or extra. Sarah Newman at Shades of Paper (after I purchased) advised she would price match Atlex so that is another option and I think S of P throws in a box of some sort of paper. Sarah is a member here and has posted in a couple of previous printer threads.
I THINK the rebate is only on the version with the Colorburst RIP. From what I read, most folks don't see the merit in the (apparently slimmed-down version) RIP that ships with this version of the 3800.
I don't doubt the rebate on the standard version is genuine but a couple weeks ago when I ordered mine it was not available but was on the two higher priced versions. I think any of the authorized Epson sellers will have the rebate form available. If you can now get the standard from Atlex or Shades of Paper with rebate and free shipping that would be in the neighborhood of $949 after rebate and a steal of a deal.
I'm still working through my less than two weeks old 3800 but loving it so far
Yes, Sarah Newman at Shades of Paper (856-795-7780, x252; working Sunday!) was very accommodating and nice to deal with. She improved on the prices I had hoped for, in fact. Thanks for this referral. As a starting point, I'm try the Harman FB paper in Hi-Matte and Glossy finishes. Also, just see for myself, I'm trying the expensive Epson Exhibition Fiber out.
Thanks, group, for the chance to sound out this problem.
For that money (getting screwed again over here in Europe - paying around $1450 over here) I certainly wouldn't hesitate. Makes one wonder if there's a successor getting lined up though.
Emile Gregoire wrote:
Makes one wonder if there's a successor getting lined up though.
Of course there is. There always is.
You just have to decide when something suits your needs at a price you are willing to pay, and buy in. I know there will be a better one next year, but if this one does what I need then it's what I will buy now.
Michael Nelson wrote:
I think I will probably go for the 3800 too. Atlex's price, plus free shipping, plus the $200 rebate from Epson makes it seem the sensible thing for me to do. I have agonized over all the 13" printers, and they all have things about them that I know will aggravate me:
HP B9180 ... horrible reliability record, lousy HP support, small ink tanks
Canon Pixma Pro 9500 and 9000 ... tiny ink tanks, 35mm white border on fine art paper
Epson 1900 ... mediocre b&w, I don't print glossy, tiny ink tanks
Epson 2880 ... Black tank switching & associated wastage, tiny ink tanks
Considering what you can get one for and considering it comes with what would be about $500 in ink on any of the 13" printers, the 3800 makes a lot of sense to me. Thanks for re-calibrating my thinking on the matter!...Show more →
Can you provide some details on why you hate the HP B9180 so much? Personal experience or what you have read on the net?
I have been an HP fan for many many years, since before they even made printers. But in researching what printer to buy, I run into the same theme over and over again with the HP... stories of people having to exchange (after fighting with HP) their B9180 printers sometimes multiple times in a single year. I have read about HP not being willing to do overnight exchanges on the overnight exchange program unless a refurb unit is in stock. There has been so much smoke about this printer that I can't ignore it and feel there probably is a fire... and I don't want to get burned.
PS: I read that you just purchased a B9180. I wish you the best of luck with it and hope you have no problems whatsoever with the printer.
