Tim Smith said:
If you don't mind, I'd like to insert a question into this thread. I've been re-entering photography since October and have thus far managed to cover my needs on the capture side of the equation, but have nothing on the output side. In fact, I had never even seen a print generated from a high-end printer until I attended a John Paul Caponigro workshop last week here in Maine. JP is a big Epson fan and trusts their profiles out of the box. Good enough for me, so I've decided on the 3800 as my first printer.
My question to you is what additional items/supplies should I plan on ordering along with the printer? My understanding is that the paper supplied with the printer won't amount to much, so I've anticipated I'll need some. But how about ink? Does it make sense to order a complete set of new ink as a backup? Is there a "best if sold by" date on ink?
My goal is to (once ordered and delivered) have a good amount of time to experiment with the printer before having to order supplies and wait around until they are delivered. Any suggestions for a first-time printer buyer would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Tim, be sure and order a USB cable if you plan to hook by USB and don't have an extra.
Consider what sizes you plan to print--esp. at first. The ink supply is gracious and I didn't order any extra yet---I've done a lot of 8.5 x 11, several 13 x 19 and 1 11.17 so far (LOTS of 8 x 10's LOL---I've been sampling papers as I have with each printer I've bought in the last number of years). I'm waiting for my roll paper and 17 x 22 sheet--I just can't wait to print the first larger than13 x 19 print LOL. Unless you are going to print a huge amount of the largest prints immediately, you will be fine with the ink for a fair amount of time. I don't think you will have trouble findng ink shortly. My understanding is that Pictureline has the ink at the best price around now---and in stock, but Atlex.com has been my ink supplier for a good while now with the best prices and VERY fast delivery (they are in FL and I'm in NC) though they don't have any 3800 carts in stock yet. You will be able to get ink I feel sure so probably no need to stock up. The carts (mine are all in the printer now) I think have 2 year dates on them--'on the shelf' and Epson recommends using the carts in the printer within 6 months. Many have had their inks in other printers (pigment) longer than that, so I wouldn't worry.
You will need paper. I recommend buying sample packs since you are a new printer. The choices out there are vast now. Inkjetart offers a lot of sample packs of various papers--including Epson papers I think. Shades of Paper has a number of sample packs---be sure and try their new 'glossy' pack which has the fiber glossy 'darkroom' style papers. If you want to do fineart prints (I would bet you might if you like John Paul's work), then you will want to get some Hahnemuehle, Innova, Crane Museo, Ilford, etc. sample packs from someone. Don't overlook Red River papers either. Maybe even Hawk Mt. If you are thinking of doing prints over 20 inches---then you will have to consider roll paper and then---how you will handcut the sheets and what tools you might need for that.
So---there are a lot of things to consider, but I would say---a cable if you are not going to network the printer, sample packs of paper---and you are good to go. The paper that comes with the printer is premium luster and the bag states its for 'alignment during installation'. There are 10 sheets and it only took one for me---so that's 9 to play with, but not a lot---and very limiting as to what you can print--that's why I suggest the sample packs.
You will love the output. I have a big table full of fineart, luster and F-type samples (mostly mono prints--I use the same image file on all--the easiest way to judge, but often some papers will lend themselves better to one image than another).
Any questions, feel free to ask. There are many here that have been printing with inkjets for years---and with pigmented printers for quite a good lengthe of time also.
Ah, i forgot the 'how' part. Since you took the workshop, I'm assuming you are familiar with color management, Photoshop and calibration. If not---those are good things to research and learn more about.
Diane