What are you using to print film/positives?

[PylonPress]

I am just wondering why most shops are using to print positives for their jobs.

We are currently using an Epson E1900 with Accurip software and Black max cartridges.  Printing on R-films because they are relatively inexpensive and have always done a good job.

It has worked well for the past 5 years but it on its last legs so I want to see what else is out there.  For a replacement I was thinking an Epson R1430 because the R1900 is out of production and it seems a popular option and will still work with Accurip. 

I have a hard time justifying the costs of a DTS printer for a small shop like mine, or even a OYO imagesetter.  I also very rarely print over 13" x 19", and if I ever do I can double up 2 films as long as there is no halftones in the print.  Its frustrating these things break every few years, but replacing a $300-400 printer still seems more feasible.

[Get Shirts]

We're using an Epson 4880 w/accurip and have been every happy with it.  We also use an hp5000 for single color jobs.

[Hey Monkey]

I am using an old Epson 1100. I can print up to 13x19 with it. Using Accurip as well. I have had two 1400/1430 crap out on me lately.

[prozyan]

The blackmaxx cartridges are an unnecessary expense.  You can get equal results with a good uv blocking bulk ink and refillable cartridges for literally a tenth the cost.

[whitewater]

We use an hp officejet 7610..LOL...we output halftones in photoshop. just do adjustments before printing to make more of an ink deposit.

on sale for $175 at staples....LOL

[StinkyDaddy]

I'm still using my R1800,.

[GaryG]

Been using our 1900/AccuRip/All Black for years and love it, but probably ready for new.
What is the newest model number say 13" Epson now a days?

[3Deep]

LOL I remember talking with Scott Fresener many years ago when the OYO and Xante etc was the kings for our film output devices.  We were talking about the epson 1450 and the 3000 which was being tested in a defunct rag called the Press using David Graines rip/film...Scott's words to me is it will never be as good a real imagesetter, now years later what percentage of screen printers use the epson? and use them to make very high end seps, Yeah I know CTS/DTS is making a huge charge but not everyone can just rush out and buy a CTS/DTS.

darryl

[mk162]

inkjets will never be as good as imagesetters...they will also never be as expensive to maintain and for consumables.  They are more than adequate for our industry though.

[balloonguy]

3Deep- is that a balloon in your avatar? Why didn't you get it from? Was it something I said? 

[diavale]

I see all sides of this argument. I currently use an oyo and love it, would ideally go dts but cost prohibitive right now, and Im not 100% sold on the current offerings. Alot of people will say the oyo is too expensive but by the time you figure in film, inks etc its not too much more than inkjet and there is a definite quality difference that really cant be argued.

[balloonguy]

I see all sides of this argument. I currently use an oyo and love it, would ideally go dts but cost prohibitive right now, and Im not 100% sold on the current offerings. Alot of people will say the oyo is too expensive but by the time you figure in film, inks etc its not too much more than inkjet and there is a definite quality difference that really cant be argued.

I have the 14" techstyler. I feel like that is one of the best purchases I ever made. I would love to move to DTS but I need to upgrade my exposure first!

[Sbrem]

epson 3800 (we picked it up after the 4800 died) with one black cart, the rest are full of cleaning fluid. AccuRIP, and we get a good deal on Ulano film from Garston, though I've used quite a few others. I liked Fixxons, but they are on the west coast, and we're on the east coast, so the five days travel time doesn't always work out if I get forgetful, not that it ever happens

Steve

[mk162]

DTS is great, I won't go back o film, even if it was imagesetter film.  putting the film on the screen is a step I don't miss AT ALL.

I did actually prefer the 3000 over the 4800.  I liked the rolls on the 4800, but I like non-wp film better.  I also ran the Hybrid ink and could get hella dense d-max values on that stuff.  I swear it would block out the sun.

I never tried that ink the 4800, maybe if i did it would be a different story.

[Frog]

Small operation, bottom end of the scale here, and still amazed at the quality I can put out with my Epson 1100, using Cobra Pigment inks (I do a lot of transfers as well) on inkjet.net films.
13x19 is plenty big enough for me. I'd just farm out jthe printing on jobs requiring a bigger image anyway.