Epson 1400 BlackMax

[Logoman]

Does anyone use the Epson Blackmax? I am looking into buying one and was looking for some input.
Thx

[Denis Kolar]

Epson 1100 here. Directly out of the box, except using refillable carts from eBay. CMYK, not all black.
Around $120 for printer and about $20 for carts. No issues with exposing screens with the right settings from the printer. And that is without RIP, directly from Photoshop.
I exposed CMYK seps with 55 lpi without any issues on 40-1K exposure, washed out beautifully.

I think that $800 (or whatever the price is) for 1400 is an overkill.

[Printhouse]

I use the 1400 Blackmax.  This past refill I used the FilmDirectOnline.com refill kit and it works great at about a 3rd of the cost of the normal refills.  I have never had an issue with my printer and have printed thousands and thousands of films with it. 

[Sbrem]

You can buy a 1400 for $250 or less now, get empty, refillable cartridges and black, dye based ink from MIS (inksupply.com) and pick up AccuRIP or Film Maker separately. That should save you considerable money. I paid over a grand initially, and bought the refills at $25.00 a pop a couple of times until I bought my own cartridges and ink. Refill all six cartridges for a couple of bucks or so.

Steve

[RICK STEFANICK]

I feel like a dinosour running a r1800.. lol

[Logoman]

What would be the difference in Accu Rip and Filmaker. There os $100.00 difference in the cost?

[Shawn (EIP)]

Black max and paying 800.00 for 1400 ... I wish I had 800.00 to throw away like that. When I had a 1400 I ran it with refill carts and I filled each color cart with black ink , talking about pennies on the dollar here! Jet black positives each and everytime when ran at the best settings. Running a r1800 with the same refil cart set up from www.inksupply.com, no problems at all and I've been printing 1/2 tones with both printers without a rip for about 6 years now.

I guess if you have the bucks go for it but if I had 800 bucks to throw around I would buy a nice used 4800.

[asecominc]

You can buy a 1400 for $250 or less now, get empty, refillable cartridges and black, dye based ink from MIS (inksupply.com) and pick up AccuRIP or Film Maker separately. That should save you considerable money. I paid over a grand initially, and bought the refills at $25.00 a pop a couple of times until I bought my own cartridges and ink. Refill all six cartridges for a couple of bucks or so.

Steve

Is there a difference in ink between the one from Inksupply.com and the one from FilmDirectOnline.com?

[Sbrem]

I haven't tried FilmDirect's ink, but the one I get for MIS is dye-based black... $30.00 for a pint. the cartridge set was around $65 or so. 6 cartridges at $25 is $150, not too much to think about here.

Steve

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

I am using a 1400 with Cobra Inks, from Tennessee. I also use their refillable carts, all black, and they refill for CHEAP. To benefit from All Six Black carts, you do need a rip. I use Accurip which is pretty spendy. For years I used Ghostscript/Ghostview, buy there is no driver for an all black system and it is kinda klunky. There is a HUGE thread about Ghostscript over at another forum.

The black Cobra Ink I use makes DENSE films and the 1400 holds pretty decent registration.

The replacement for the Workforce 1100 has a bottom feed, and Cobra already has 2  aftermarket refill systems for it--carts and a CIS. Ironically, I just ordered one today for sublimation with Cobra's CIS system, since the 1100 is getting hard to find.