Inkjet Inks

[Big Ada]

Hi everyone,

I may be asking the same question as others before, but I currentley use a Epson 7880 Stylus Pro wide format inkjet printer and have always sworn by using Epson Inks, but recentley came across photospeed who supply 7880 ink cartridges for epson. Is there anyone out there using photospeed inks on an epson? I know its a massive saving on cost, but on the other other hand I dont want to lower quality of work just to save a few quid.

Thanks Adrian.

[The Crofter]

My philosophy is to use my "best" printer with epson oem ink. Older printers are generally fitted with a cis or 3rd party ink cartdridges. Although there are savings to be made, the printing costs should be incorporated in the print price. On a large (A2) print I could probably save around £2 but this is just not worth the potential risk involved with non oem ink systems. Happy to lose this expense on a £45 print.

[Not your average framer]

Mmmm, that's a difficult one. As printers increase in paper size, the ink cartridges tend to get bigger and the effective ink cost tends to become more economical at the same time.

I think that you need to look closely at the cost savings and maybe ask around for feedback from others with the same printer and ink system, before you try this.

Epson inks are exceptionally good and although the pigment ink systems are quoting 85+ years fade resistance, the Epson ink are far brighter and more vivid that the pigment inks. You will need the correct ICC profile on your computer to get the colour correction for the new inks.

I'm getting an ink system soon for my 1290 printer, but it didn't cost me a lot and if something goes wrong I can probably get another 1290 cheap on eBay. With newer printers, this may not be such tempting idea if something bad goes wrong.

[Peter the framer]

If you type Fotospeed in to the search engine there is a thread on this.

[richard55]

I am using fotospeed pigment & dye based inks on my epson printers and cannot see any differance in the quality of prints (only in the price of inks)

Rich

[steve crossland]

I had a problem with my small A4 Epson printer, where I tried cheaper inks, after just a couple of prints the printer refused to print and came up with a warning NOT EPSON COMPATIBLE INKS and stopped printing until I replaced the cartridges. False economy really.

The other thing you need to consider is the photo paper you are using with the cheaper inks. I had a problem with different colour casts on my Canon when I was using different papers. After speaking to Canon they said that all printers, inks and papers are formulated to work together for the very best results. I tried Canon paper and got a far better quality print due to the fact that the inks and papers are manufactured to be used together. Some inks dry quicker when they hit the coating on the paper, some dry slower, some spread slightly more than others.

I have an Epson 9600 44inch wide and have only used Epson ULTRAChrome pigment inks so far.

I'm only an amateur don't have a business yet, still looking at starting up, but hope this helps.
Steve Crossland

[Big Ada]

Thanks everyone for your replys,

I think I need to do what I've been doing for the last five years and thats keep up the top quality prints and canvasses and don't turn into a tight arse, I run a small but very professional business not only in picture framing but photgraphic processing aswell and don't want to risk turning out rubbish, this day and age we don't want to be loosing customers with shoddy workmanship. They say you live and learn but not at a great exspence you shoudn't.

Thanks all again
Adrian

[WelshFramer]

One way of saving costs is to use eBay.

I've just bought some Epson 200ml ink cartridges for £10 each as opposed to the normal price of about £60 each. OK, they have an expiry date of Nov 2008 but they don't seem to self-destruct when they pass the date printed on them.

The small print:
By reading this you are agreeing not to bid against me in any future eBay auctions.

[Big Ada]

Hi welsh framer,

I've been looking on e-bay, don't seem to be anyone selling 7880 cartridges at the moment any cheaper. I've found a company though that professionally re-fill 7880 cartridges and luckily I always keep a complete set of empty 220ml ones. So I am in discussion at the moment with this company about the quality of re-fill inks they use and whether the cartridges have to have the chips re-set.

Thanks for reply.
Adrian

[daviddeer]

The main problems with "compatible inks are:
Head blockage
Raised ink drying times
Poor longevity and fade resistance
Metamerisation
and most importantly smaller colour gamut
The pros are:
cheaper price

If you are not trying to match originals exactly and are wiling to take a chance on blocking the heads on a £4,000 printer then go ahead. 9 times out of ten you will not have a problem and the client won't really notice the colour difference. I don't suppose they will be around for 75 years to return a fading print so I really wouldn't worry. For cheaper printers it may be worth the risk as they cost so much less and can easily be replaced. I spent a lot of money on my printer (epson 9800) and I really don't want to loose it to save a couple of hundred quid. After all I wouldn't put cheap oil in my Aston Martin.

I would ask to see the colour gamut and the result of the Wilhelm test (more info here). Ask if they will guarantee to replace any blocked ink heads and damage from old leaking cartridges or ink flooding. Get comparative prints from original and compatible inks. Test drying times and laminates for smudging and flaking of ink from the substrate. Definitely get profiles from them for each of the media you use.
Finally I would reflect the ink price in your sales figures and factor in the true cost of running your printer. you may be surprised some people may pay for quality!