Setting up a new large format Epson printer?

[mimosatexas]

So I finally picked up my used Epson 4800 (my dad has had it for like 6 weeks in Houston...just couldn't get over there to grab it!).  I want to get it setup right and get to printing bigger and better films.  A friends shop also just picked up a used Epson 9600, and will be helping me with any films that won't fit on my 4800.  I told them I would help them get their setup all figured out as well since a lot of the info will apply to both.

Specifically I was hoping for help with the following:

FILM: What is the "best" brand and what is the "best bang for the buck" brand for rolls of film (17" wide and 44" wide)? Is fixxon good or just cheap?

INK: I have read over and over again about using only one cartridge filled with black and filling the rest with cleaning solution.  What brand and type of ink is the "best" for blocking UV and what is the "best bang for the buck" brand?  I'm familiar with Cobra, but I always see them mentioned as just the cheap option with little feedback on the quality.  When it comes to cleaning solution are you using a specific brand or something diy (watered down windex)?

CARTS vs CIS: I know with smaller printers like the Epson 1400 people always talk about the value of a CIS, but it looks like the carts for the 4800 and 9600 are pretty huge.  Wondering generally what people are doing as far as using a CIS or aftermarket refillable carts etc.

RIPS: I know about Accurip, Filmmaker, and Wasatch.  I also know some people suggest ghostrip because it's free, and I'm sure there are others.  It seems like the Epsons are pretty much universally supported, but I would love to hear anyone's feedback when it comes to these specific models, and of course the whole "best" vs "best bang for the buck" aspect.  Does Accurip give you the ability to print with a single head and control ink volume like people seem to suggest for the cleanest halftone?

TROUBLESHOOTING: Used large format printers always seem to need some cleaning of heads and some troubleshooting.  Any tips/tricks/resources/guides on youtube etc) that people can steer me toward to get it setup and working flawlessly?

I know this is kind of a catch-all topic, and I will be reading lots of the threads that deal with specifics, but any info is awesome and appreciated.  Looking forward to being able to output larger films with better halftones.  Thanks!

[cbjamel]

I use filmmaker on my 4800 1 ink cart with cleaning on rest of them with this ink http://www.filmdirectonline.com/  ulano film 17" wide.
My opinion.

Shane

[blue moon]

I tested several types of film and they were all pretty close. I liked the Acorn the best, but the differences were negligible. We are using the Nazdar stuff now and it is the best bang for the buck that I have found. Fixxons stuff did not have any issues, but I only tested several sheet. Nazdar and Akorn we've run hundreds of rolls.

Chromaline AccuInk is the way to go with ink. After trying several inks, this is my favorite. It is pricey, but worth it.

If you do not have a RIP get Film Maker. If you have AccuRip, stick with it. While FM is better, it is not enough to justify the upgrade unless you are a halftone nerd.

We use generic refillable cartridges with cleaning solution bought from macroenter.com. I think it's water with alcohol in it. They told me what it was, I don't remember any more. . .

pierre

[mimosatexas]

Thanks Pierre! I was hoping you would chime in. For the ink are you buying carts from them or using something refillable? Do you have to use any kind of chip resetter? Can you elaborate on what you like more about that ink or issues with other inks you tested?

Edit: did you test the inks from http://www.imageline-inc.com/wide-format-printer-inks by any chance? Anyone have any thoughts on them?

[blue moon]

Thanks Pierre! I was hoping you would chime in. For the ink are you buying carts from them or using something refillable? Do you have to use any kind of chip resetter? Can you elaborate on what you like more about that ink or issues with other inks you tested?

Edit: did you test the inks from http://www.imageline-inc.com/wide-format-printer-inks by any chance? Anyone have any thoughts on them?

$90 per 220ml cartridge, not reusable. It is much darker than anything else I've tried, it was about double the next closest one. It also spreads less than some others (gain on film after printing).

did not test that imageline inks, tried several suppliers for EPSON 3000, 1400 and 4800 for a total of 6-7 different inks until settling with AccuInk.

pierre

[mimosatexas]

Does anyone have any tips or a tutorial related to setting up the printer? Specifically related to power cleaning, flushing lines, etc.

[Homer]

power cleaning is joke, don't do it. waste of ink. get yourself a chip resetter, you'll need it.. just plug it in and set up your rip, what are you using?

[mimosatexas]

What about for clogged heads? What about converting from 8 colors to 1 black and 7 cleaning solution carts? The printer is working but the magenta is clogged and some of the others aren't too clear.

I will probably ly be using accutip trial at first just to get an idea of what it's like using a rip. I have read great things about filmmaker though and it isn't much more expensive. A lot of this info is also to help setup a friends 9600, so what I decide on due to cost may not apply to their shop.

[Sbrem]

I use AccuRIP (though we have a 3800 now after our 4800 needed a new print head at twice the cost of what I paid for the printer) and in the software you can tell it to print from one head and the others are off. You can remove the color ones you have and get refillable replacements that you fill with cleaning fluid. You can download the manual online, and if I can find it, I have a fabulous set of directions from Zoo that made it easy as pie to set up...

Steve

[mimosatexas]

That would be awesome Steve!  Shoot me a pm if you come across it.  Thanks!

[mimosatexas]

Got the PM.  Thanks!  I may be bugging you and Chris as I get this thing setup if I hit any snags.  I'm super psyched to finally go "pro" with my films.

[Atownsend]

I picked up a epson 7600 about 3 months ago. The Magenta line was clogged and the guy was going to chuck it. I got some cheapo refillable carts from hong kong, which cost about $100. they were a pretty big hassle to get to fit properly, but once I was able to get all of the carts installed I haven't had any issues. I do remember having to disable the ink level monitoring in the c panel, just be careful not to run dry... I run a DIY cleaning solution (9pt distilled h20 / 9pt windex with ammonia / 2pt iso alchohol) in all carts except black / light black. It took a while (3 months), but the cleaning solution broke up the clog in the magenta line. Is the magenta the only line that is clogged? I dont know about the 4800, but the 7600 has a program "initial fill" that was helpful. It flushes everything out big time. I think its for set up & changing between ink systems. It uses a ton of ink / cleaning fluid & will fill the maintenance tank quick. You can bypass the counter on the maintenance tank on the 7600 / 9600, not sure about the 4800. Maybe you need a resetter?

For film & ink I use film direct. Been using their ink for a while & I think its great & priced well. Don't have much to compare it to however. We used to use fixxons for roll film, but ended up picking switching to film direct for that since we buy ink form there anyway and they are price comparable.

[Sbrem]

you will love printing off the roll, and having it automatically cut at the end. Unfortunately, ours had the head die, and the replacement was just too costly. Fortunately, the 3800 will print a sheet up to 17 x 24, which is extremely rare for us, but we're prepared at least.

Steve

[mimosatexas]

So it looks like I will likely be trying out the fixxon film and chromaline accuink, since I can get both from Kevin at River City which is local.

For the refillable carts, I would prefer avoiding the issue Atownsend mentioned with his chinese carts.  Anyone have a cheap option that won't cause any issues?  What about the chip resetter?

[mimosatexas]

Wanted to bump this.  Anyone recognize these refillable carts: http://www.inkowl.com/?C=10&S=33&B=3&product=2059&p=product

The same ones seem to be all over amazon and ebay at different pricepoints.  I don't really want to spend $450 for this: http://www.filmdirectonline.com/products/Multi-Black-Large-Format-Ink-Kit.html (linked by a few other people) when it seems I can spend $140 and get just the carts I need and buy the black accuink like I had planned.

Here is another affordable option from the link Pierre provided: http://www.macroenter.com/4800/

Cleaner here: http://www.macroenter.com/printhead-cleaner-for-piezo-printheads-1-gallon/  Anyone have a diy recipe for this?

Chip resetter: http://www.macroenter.com/chip-resetter-for-wide-format-epson-printers/

Another set that comes with prefilled cleaning solution carts that are refillable: https://www.inksupply.com/product-details/pn/CC-4800-SET.html?printerID=457

Mainly just want to know where people are getting the refillable carts for the cleaning solution and the solution itself.