Best inkjet for printing artwork - Under $300

[ShelleyWynn]

I'm looking for a good inkjet printer that I can use to produce prints of my original artwork (watercolor, pen & ink). I also create projects that require very clear and precise typeface, so I'm considering a postscript printer. I will be using PhotoShop CS2, Illustrator, InDesign for my projects. To complicate things even more, I really need a wide-format printer. And all this for under $300.00.

If I don't buy a PS printer, I guess I can use one of the PS interpreters like GhostScript, but I've had a hard time understanding how that all works or if it would be worth the trouble.

Please help!!:confused:

[ktinkel]

I'm looking for a good inkjet printer that I can use to produce prints of my original artwork (watercolor, pen & ink). I also create projects that require very clear and precise typeface, so I'm considering a postscript printer. I will be using PhotoShop CS2, Illustrator, InDesign for my projects. To complicate things even more, I really need a wide-format printer. And all this for under $300.00.

If I don't buy a PS printer, I guess I can use one of the PS interpreters like GhostScript, but I've had a hard time understanding how that all works or if it would be worth the trouble.

Please help!!:confused:I am not a printing maven, but I suspect you are asking for way too much for the money. Further, if you find a cheap inkjet that meets even half your requirements, the ink replacement costs will kill you.

I would suggest getting Acrobat and then you obviate the need for a PostScript printer (as it interprets PostScript for you). But Acrobat itself is expensive. (Perhaps $400 or more — I have not checked.) But your should be able to get a better deal when you update PhotoShop, Illustrator, and
InDesign, however.

I will leave it to our printer experts to advise you on the right printer. Just a couple of thoughts.

[ShelleyWynn]

Thanks so much for the thoughts.

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

<< If I don't buy a PS printer, >>

If you are using Windows I've an idea that VISTA handles PS inherently but you may have to manually install the fonts -- some question of PS using two files for each font and Windows is not used to that?

Can't remember where I've seen this discussed recently -- if not here then one of the Compuserve forums or even a VISTA newsgroup.

[terrie]

shelly: To complicate things even more, I really need a wide-format printer. And all this for under $300.00.What exactly do you mean by "wide-format"?

My Epson 4000 inkjet is considered a wide-format and it prints 17" wide and you won't find anything that size in your price range (even on ebay) but it's a wonderful printer and I use it to print all of my artwork--you can see the sort of work I do at my website (http://tlbtlb.com/). I also have an HP2200D laser printer (1200dpi, postscript, duplex) that I use for most of my other printing.

There are also 13" wide Epson inkjets and if 13" wide would work for you, then you might consider:

1. Epson Stylus Photo 1400 - I don't know anything about this printer...I think it may be new but the price is certainly in your ballpark at $324 (after a $75 mail-in rebate--normally sells for $399)

2. Epson Stylus Photo 1800 at $549

3. Epson Stylus Photo 2400 at $849

Also take a look at the Clearance Center > Inkjets at epson.com (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/index.jsp) (this is the link to the US site) as they have a refurbished Epson Stylus Photo 1800 for $349 which is a good deal--I've purchased Epson refurb's and can recommend them--and they also have a refurbished Epson Stylus Photo 2400 for $599...

Also check ebay...

Terrie

[Syllables]

This is considerably out of your $300 restriction (which I personally think you should abandon): go someplace that has an HP B9180 you can print your stuff on. We have been an Epson shop for years, but the B9180 is the first printer that has EVER made me gasp. It is known to misbehave, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[terrie]

syllables: go someplace that has an HP B9180 you can print your stuff on. We have been an Epson shop for years, but the B9180 is the first printer that has EVER made me gasp. It is known to misbehave, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.Thanks so much for mentioning this printer...found a good review at Luminous Landscape (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/printers/HP-B9180.shtml) and I'm impressed...the biggest problem with the HP printers was that paper choice was pretty much restricted to HP papers but that is not the case with this printer...definitely one to put on the possibles list...

Terrie

[Syllables]

I have been, frankly, astonished at how forgiving the B9180 is to different papers. We recently did a run on Red River's GreenPix and use Moab's Entrada regularly. I can't say that our customers are the most discerning, but I've been in the business long enough to be able to see a bad print across the room. Yes, there were slight shifts here and there, but one customer said the print was better than the original, and he's a professional photographer.

As you can tell, I'm totally impressed with the B9180.

[ShelleyWynn]

Still looking at printers. What has your experience been or what do you know about purchasing refurbished printers? I tend to shy away from anything other than lightly used or new. I'm sure I could save some $$$ going the refurbished route, but unsure of reliability.

What do you think???

Shelley

[curveto]

I'll have to agree with Kathleen (i.e., get Acrobat Pro) and then throw in Epson Stylus 3800 (my personal favorite is the 4800 but that's nowhere near $300). If you already have other, modern Adobe apps (e.g., CS or better) you may not need Acrobat (for most work).

Haven't seen the new HP (but they have been making great strides of late).

Make sure you do a little math regarding cost of operation. Like razor blades that's where the *real* expense is when it comes to printers these days (cheap or otherwise).

[Syllables]

I've never had a problem with refurbished equipment; I've never had refurbished by other than the manufacturer, though. We're running a refurbished Epson R1800 right now; have had it for over a year--never a problem.

We also have a refurb'd Xerox Phaser 860. No problems.

[terrie]

shelly: What has your experience been or what do you know about purchasing refurbished printers?I have had excellent experience with refurb'd printers...my old HP6MP was purchased locally from a computer store that carried refurb'd/2nd hand equipment and I just recently passed it on to someone else after 8 or so years of use...

I also had a refurb'd Epson 1160 (purchased from refurbdepot.com (http://refurbdepot.com/) which for some reason is no longer carrying any Epson stuff (printers, scanners, etc.) and I was very pleased with the printer--it came with a 1 year Epson warranty. I also purchased a refurb'd Olympus C-4040 digtial camera from them and was also pleased with that...

My current laser printer (HP2200D) was purchased via ebay and is going strong...

Soooo...be careful who you buy from but refurb's can be a very good deal...

Terrie

[terrie]

syllables: I have been, frankly, astonished at how forgiving the B9180 is to different papers. We recently did a run on Red River's GreenPix and use Moab's Entrada regularly. Do you use custom paper profiles? I use Hawk Mountain Art Papers (http://hawkmtnartpapers.com/) paper almost exclusively as they have really nice paper and are an excellent company to work with. I had a custom profile built for one of their papers when I got my Epson 4000 and it works nicely with all of their other papers--makes sense if you think about it as the coating is probably the same for all of their papers...

I've not used Red River paper since I had my Epson 700 but I remember liking it...I've never used Moab but I've read good things about their paper...

Terrie

[Syllables]

Take a look at:
http://shadowbrush.org/wiki/index.php?title=B9180Papers
for results with many papers.

[Syllables]

Do you use custom paper profiles? I use Hawk Mountain Art Papers (http://hawkmtnartpapers.com/) paper almost exclusively as they have really nice paper and are an excellent company to work with. I had a custom profile built for one of their papers when I got my Epson 4000 and it works nicely with all of their other papers--makes sense if you think about it as the coating is probably the same for all of their papers...

I've not used Red River paper since I had my Epson 700 but I remember liking it...I've never used Moab but I've read good things about their paper...

Terrie

Most often, the profile provided by the paper company, although I've had to had a few custom profiles made over the years. However, my very best and manageable results are obtained with Qimage.

[terrie]

First...thanks for that link...very interesting...can I assume that (for the most part) people are using color management (calibrated monitors, etc.)--would think so...


>>Most often, the profile provided by the paper company, although I've had to had a few custom profiles made over the years. However, my very best and manageable results are obtained with Qimage.

I only have 2 custom profiles--one for the Hawk Mountain paper and one for the Strathmore Creative Cards cardstock. Hawk Mountain does provide profiles for free for their paper but I didn't realize that when I had my custom profile created and the problem for me with the Hawk Mountain profiles is that they are based on Epson's fine art papers which requires manual feed rather than via the paper tray--many people probably are using roll paper but I don't.

I had my profile created based on Epson's Watercolor Radiant White and the driver allows for paper tray feed. I keep meaning to email the person at Hawk Mountain who handles the profiles about doing a set of profiles based on WCRW but I've not gotten around to it...

Hawk Mountain started running a print contest (http://www.hawkmtpaper.com/PrintContest.htm) a couple of years ago and I've placed in both which is pretty cool and won myself $200 worth of any of their paper for each contest--they use the images in their trade show booths. You can see my winning images here (http://tlbtlb.com/tlbimages/show.html). They are running another print contest this year and I have a couple of images I'm going to submit but I haven't finished working on them...

I keep meaning to investigate Qimage because I've read such good things about it but I never seem to get around to it...

Terrie

[djb]

It's $500, not $300, but I recommend the Canon i9900, hands down.

[terrie]

djb: but I recommend the Canon i9900, hands down.What do you like about it? What sorts of stuff are you printing?

Terrie

[djb]

Everything from posters on card stock to press proofs of photo quality for glossy magazines. Color is awesome, it's quiet, and even if we don't use it for weeks, I've NEVER had it clog.

[terrie]

Sounds pretty good...what's the page size on it?

Terrie

[djb]

13x19 borderless.
See http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=184&modelid=9870

[terrie]

Thanks for the link...

Do you use non-Canon papers?

Terrie