Does anybody know of a reference source for ink usage for various printers? Or has anybody figured a method for figuring it out other than taking tons of notes over many days, weeks, or months on when cartridges run out?
I am beginning to delve into the art market and want to calculate what it actually costs me to make a print, put it in a clear bag, label it, etc etc etc.. Paper, labels, bags, my time, etc are all easy. Ink ?????
There are some figures provided at the Luminous Landscape but those are for higher end printers. What printer are you considering using?
I did some rough estimates a few years ago and the costs for a paper I was willing to use (eventually settling on the Epson Premium Ultrasmooth) were far greater than the inks. I want to say under $1.00 for an 11x14 and under $2.50 for a 16x20 but it has been a while. For the large pro printers such as the Epson 4000 and the subsequent models, the costs per print are a small fraction of the total package. Your costs will be a lot more if you are printing from something like the 2200-2400 models from Epson.
I've 3 Epsons that I use depending on the size, task, and mood I'm in (smile). Most of work is done by 3800; 2200 for matte paper work; R200 for CD/DVD's, routine correspondence, printing labels, i.e. not photographic but still important stuff. I'll check out LL and see if it deals with 3800. Thanks for the fast response!!
Just to hone in on what Dan said, your ink costs are minimal compared to the cost of the fine art paper media. The ink will cost you pennies a square foot, while the fine art media starts at about $2.00 a square foot. We print exclusively on Epson Exhibition Fiber paper that starts at $3.00 a square foot. The sheet of paper for a 24X30 print is $15.16.
The 3800 is a little light-weight if you are going to do art show level production (unless you don't sell anything). I would look into an upgrade to a 4880. The 220 ml ink carts. are very economical ($85) compared to the 80 ml. carts on the 3800.
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3 repliesI am beginning to delve into the art market and want to calculate what it actually costs me to make a print, put it in a clear bag, label it, etc etc etc.. Paper, labels, bags, my time, etc are all easy. Ink ?????
Thanks,
JR
I did some rough estimates a few years ago and the costs for a paper I was willing to use (eventually settling on the Epson Premium Ultrasmooth) were far greater than the inks. I want to say under $1.00 for an 11x14 and under $2.50 for a 16x20 but it has been a while. For the large pro printers such as the Epson 4000 and the subsequent models, the costs per print are a small fraction of the total package. Your costs will be a lot more if you are printing from something like the 2200-2400 models from Epson.
The 3800 is a little light-weight if you are going to do art show level production (unless you don't sell anything). I would look into an upgrade to a 4880. The 220 ml ink carts. are very economical ($85) compared to the 80 ml. carts on the 3800.