What brand/model is your main film printer?

[WHD_Jason]

Hey guys, we're looking at upgrading our main film printer to something that can handle a heavier work load, so I wanted to get your opinion. What do you use to print film/vellum? Why do you like/dislike your printer?

[cbjamel]

What type heavier load are you talking films per day and avg size.

That helps.

Shane

[Gilligan]

And what are you using now?

[WHD_Jason]

I guess that would've been useful to note in the first place, huh? Sorry about that.

We currently use an Epson Artisan 1430 with Accurip. We have three designers that share the functions of just one single-feed printer, so you can imagine how bogged down things can get. I'd love to go larger format with a roll feed of some kind. Auto cut would be nice too. I've eyeballed the Epson T3270 and the Epson 4900. Just wanted to get a good sense of what the community is using, including some pros and cons.

Thanks for the help!

[blue moon]

stay away from the 4900. The verdict is till not out on the T3270, search the board for the previous discussions.
4880 is your best bang for the buck right now.

pierre

[mk162]

Direct to screen.  Get the smaller M&R unit and be done with it.

[Stinkhorn Press]

stole the idea form pierre, so not really seconding it... but we're really really glad me kicked our 1430 out for a 4800 (not real sure the distinction between a 4800 and 4880). much cheaper to run, much faster. but budget a week of repeated cleaning and re-learning the difference in settings before it's something you don't need to think about.

search "epson 4800 conde" on youtube for a good number of walkthroughs on the various software and IRL cleaning options to get it up and running.

[jvanick]

How many screens are you making per day?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[WHD_Jason]

Direct to screen.  Get the smaller M&R unit and be done with it.

You offering to purchase one for us? How nice! :-)

[Homer]

Direct to screen.  Get the smaller M&R unit and be done with it.

You offering to purchase one for us? How nice! :-)

if you buy the right unit, it's cheaper than going to film....just sayin.


just think, no more tape.

[GaryG]

Hummm.... I'll take one too!

Actually how many screens a day and up makes sense?
20...40+  ?

[ol man]

t3270 -so far its the jam.fast fast fast ... had 2 4900 before this - they suck so bad - worse purchase ever.. however looking for a cts

[jvanick]

Hummm.... I'll take one too!

Actually how many screens a day and up makes sense?
20...40+  ?

30 screens a day alone and you're at the tipping point based on cost only... probably 15-20 and you're at the tipping point when you include time savings and efficiency.

[Homer]

Hummm.... I'll take one too!

Actually how many screens a day and up makes sense?
20...40+  ?

30 screens a day alone and you're at the tipping point based on cost only... probably 15-20 and you're at the tipping point when you include time savings and efficiency.

that's about where we are, 20-30ish on a busy day. You aren't just buying a DTS, you are buying back time... this has been discussed to death so I won't derail but if you have a sharp pencil, you may want to do some calculations. Spend 2k on a printer and 10k? 20k? per year on wasted employee time vs 30k on that new M&R Unit and get to work.

or go to craigslist for a 4800.

[Mr Tees!!]

...following this, we are in the same boat.

We're a small 2-person operation, so CTS isnt viable for us (YET)...plus we need to upgrade other things first (bigger press).

We currently use a 1400, but would like to move to 17" wide. We already have Accurip. Compatibility with refillable cartridges is a must, and if you have a supplier that you prefer, would be just swell.

Accurip lists 3800/3880 as compatible....any feedback on those?