I just bought ink cartridges for my Epson R1800 printer...$350.00!! Epson ink prices are just rediculous, IMO. Has anyone tried any of the available bulk ink systems for the R1800 printer. Are you satisfied with the results?
I also use the Epson R1800. I bought one of the bulk systems, but I haven't installed it yet. I am buying ink from the same people and have used their cartridges for about ten months with good results. It's www.clickinks.com. If you buy their two for one deal, the cost is about one quarter (or even less) of Epson's price, and they'll ship for free. You might just want to buy one set to try them out before you commit to a big buy.
I will check them out. Any problems with the inks clogging the print head? Did you have to have a custom profile made for your printer? Expiring minds need to know!
If I don't print anything for a while (weeks) I usually go through the head cleaning ritual and everything seems fine then, but I have had a clogged cartridge on occasion. I also had a clogged cartridge now and then when I was using Epson cartridges under similar conditions. I've never had a clog that didn't clean up quickly. I haven't had to do a custom profile. I use the stock Epson R1800 Profiles for Adobe.
It did take me a while to get the printer set up right so that the colors were coming out properly, but that that was more the printer/software setup and not the cartridges. For your 350 bucks you'll get approximately six sets of cartridges (if you go for the buy two get one free deal). For a single set of all cartridges, which includes 3 each of the two black cartridges, it's $71.45
I'll admit that my experience with the real Epson cartridges is limited, since I realized very quickly after buying my printer that I needed a lower cost alternative. If you decide to try them out I'd like to know your opinion being that you've used the Epson's for a while now. Since I am only printing for personal use, or to give copies to friends, I may not be as particular as someone who is marketing their prints for sale, or someone that's just generally fussy.
I am in the process of researching printers/inks myself, and I found that http://www.wilhelm-research.com/ is extremely helpful. The big issue with ink is not so much the quality of output, as many ink/paper combinations can be profiled or tweaked to produce good results, but rather the print longevity. In nearly every case, the OEM ink and paper combinations far surpass every third party combination.
Ultrachrome and other pigmented inks seem to be more prone to clogging when compared to dye inks. Pantone, MIS and Lyson all offer CIS systems and are supposed to be somewhat better than the non-name offerings, but they offer only modest cost savings. Lastly, the OEM paper/ink combos usually have decent profiles available for them, making it easy to get good results without having to resort to building and tweaking custom profiles. Hope this is helpful.
That site (Altex.com) was added to my bookmarks. Best prices I have found. Thanks
Posted by Ralph Wolfe on August 10, 2007 at 9:52 PM
Hello
I am new here but felt that I might weigh in on this topic
When I frist bought my R1800 I tired to us a off brand my printer used all the ink cleaning its heads. I went back to epson and have had no problems since I pay about 13.00 a cartage from Red River papers I bought two sets of ink and Two cartages of gloss for less than 200 dollars.
Just putting in my two cents
Discussion
8 repliesI just bought ink cartridges for my Epson R1800 printer...$350.00!!
Thanks,
I also use the Epson R1800. I bought one of the bulk systems, but I haven't installed it yet. I am buying ink from the same people and have used their cartridges for about ten months with good results. It's www.clickinks.com. If you buy their two for one deal, the cost is about one quarter (or even less) of Epson's price, and they'll ship for free. You might just want to buy one set to try them out before you commit to a big buy.
Regards,
Charlie
I will check them out. Any problems with the inks clogging the print head? Did you have to have a custom profile made for your printer? Expiring minds need to know!
If I don't print anything for a while (weeks) I usually go through the head cleaning ritual and everything seems fine then, but I have had a clogged cartridge on occasion. I also had a clogged cartridge now and then when I was using Epson cartridges under similar conditions. I've never had a clog that didn't clean up quickly. I haven't had to do a custom profile. I use the stock Epson R1800 Profiles for Adobe.
It did take me a while to get the printer set up right so that the colors were coming out properly, but that that was more the printer/software setup and not the cartridges. For your 350 bucks you'll get approximately six sets of cartridges (if you go for the buy two get one free deal). For a single set of all cartridges, which includes 3 each of the two black cartridges, it's $71.45
I'll admit that my experience with the real Epson cartridges is limited, since I realized very quickly after buying my printer that I needed a lower cost alternative. If you decide to try them out I'd like to know your opinion being that you've used the Epson's for a while now. Since I am only printing for personal use, or to give copies to friends, I may not be as particular as someone who is marketing their prints for sale, or someone that's just generally fussy.
Ultrachrome and other pigmented inks seem to be more prone to clogging when compared to dye inks. Pantone, MIS and Lyson all offer CIS systems and are supposed to be somewhat better than the non-name offerings, but they offer only modest cost savings. Lastly, the OEM paper/ink combos usually have decent profiles available for them, making it easy to get good results without having to resort to building and tweaking custom profiles. Hope this is helpful.
Found this thread that you might find helpful. http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=1296
Also check this for better pricing on Epson cartridges:
http://www.atlex.com/epson-stylus-inkjet-printer/photo_r1800_printer_paper_ink.htm
Regards,
Charlie
I am new here but felt that I might weigh in on this topic
When I frist bought my R1800 I tired to us a off brand my printer used all the ink cleaning its heads. I went back to epson and have had no problems since I pay about 13.00 a cartage from Red River papers I bought two sets of ink and Two cartages of gloss for less than 200 dollars.
Just putting in my two cents