Photo Printer?

So I've finally decided to sell some of my work at craft shows, and similar events. I've been looking at the Epson Photo 2200. Am I looking in the right direction or should I be looking somewhere else. I want to print frameable pictures up to as large as I can on a not so limited budget, but I'm not in the market for a wide format at the moment. Also, should I get a color profiler like the OptiCal Spyder?

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Jeff

Jeff Craighead said:

So I've finally decided to sell some of my work at craft shows, and
similar events. I've been looking at the Epson Photo 2200. Am I
looking in the right direction or should I be looking somewhere
else. I want to print frameable pictures up to as large as I can on
a not so limited budget, but I'm not in the market for a wide
format at the moment. Also, should I get a color profiler like the
OptiCal Spyder?

--
Jeff

Click to expand...

I have a 2200 and think it is probably a good choice because of its pigmented inks that have good image life. It is not an easy printer, though. You have to use the right papers and do a bunch of experimanting. Don't plan on using glossy paper with it. I suffers from an ink load that creates bronzing and a very dull look in dark areas. Matte seems to be the only way. Some expensive high end matte art papers seem to work best with it. It is a fine black and white printer too. Short of those reservations and a long life requirement, you might want to consider Epson's dye based 1280 or photo 900 or discontinued 870 printers. They all use the same ink that has a display life of at least 25 years. They print fabulously on glossy paper and surely equally on everything else. You will get a greater dynamic range with it on most papers than you get with the 2200 and find it pretty easy to use. The inks are probably cheaper too. I use both my 2200 with a Mac and Colorsync. The colors are usually spot on. The dye based printers usually have worked well for me using colorsync too.

The 1280 printer is a bargain now new with a $100 rebate or refurbished for the same prince. The 2200 can be had refurbished too at a fair saving.
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Dave Lewis

While I can't speak directly to the 2200, I have heard great reports, but I can tell you a bit about the 870 and 1270, predecessor to the 1280. I print with a 1270, and personally like the semi-gloss paper look better than either the glossy or matte. It does a super job, haven't had any complaints yet, up to 13x19. The 1280 adds full-bleed. Benefits over the 2200 are that it prints faster, but the pigmented inks are said to have a longer life. Then again, 25 years with a 1270/1280 aren't bad at all. I find that my print costs for an 8x10 are in the $1.50 range.

I have not gone the calibration route yet, I have had very good luck just doing things "by eye" up until now, but without a doubt calibration will just make things that much better, if done correctly.

Jeff Craighead said:

So I've finally decided to sell some of my work at craft shows, and
similar events. I've been looking at the Epson Photo 2200. Am I
looking in the right direction or should I be looking somewhere
else. I want to print frameable pictures up to as large as I can on
a not so limited budget, but I'm not in the market for a wide
format at the moment. Also, should I get a color profiler like the
OptiCal Spyder?

--
Jeff

Click to expand...

--
Bill Dewey
http://www.deweydrive.com

My good friend and professional industrial photographer uses an Epson 2200. He did complain some about the different kinds of black but didn't go into detail,
Floyd

Jeff Craighead said:

So I've finally decided to sell some of my work at craft shows, and
similar events. I've been looking at the Epson Photo 2200. Am I
looking in the right direction or should I be looking somewhere
else. I want to print frameable pictures up to as large as I can on
a not so limited budget, but I'm not in the market for a wide
format at the moment. Also, should I get a color profiler like the
OptiCal Spyder?

--
Jeff

Click to expand...

Thanks guys, I'll try and stick with my 870 for now then. I eyeball it too and seem to get good results, the only thing I was really concerned about was fading, but if it lasts 25 years then I won't worry about it. I may upgrade to a model with separate ink carts though, I hate throwing away good ink.

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Jeff

I hate throwing away good ink.

Then dont, I have 2 785's & a 1280. once the cartridge says finished, I'll reset the chips (oldstyle) & keep printing. I can get an extra 20 8x10's WOW

How do you do that Rick?
B.

http://www.pbase.com/onlyamoment/moments

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'Where will you spend eternity?'

If you want to sell your artwork, I wouldn't go with the Epson 1280, because the inks aren't archival. The Epson 2200 inks are rated up to 80 years.

By all means get something to calibrate your monitor with, and do it every two or three weeks. I use a Spyder, and there's nothing to it.

The best papers I've found these:

Pictorico Glossy -- if you need a high gloss finish. By all means avoid Epson High Gloss - you'll get way too much bronzing.

Epson Premium Luster is good for a semi gloss finish. Even better is Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl.
Epson Enhanced Matte works well for matte finishes.

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http://www.tomoscott.com
http://tomoscott.photopoints.com