I'm in the process of buying a used 7600 and I am looking for some recommendations.
As a new owner, is there anything I should know about the 7600? I currently have a 2200.
My first quandry is picking black inks since switching between Matte and Photo Black is pretty expensive on this equipment. On my 2200 I use both frequently. I use PB on Epson PremierArt Canvas and MB on Arches hot press watercolor papers and Epson enhanced matte. I also occasionally use Epson Semigloss for competition prints with PB. Since it looks like I will have to pick one black, what are most of you using as a black/paper combination? Has anyone tried MB on a matte canvas?
Rob: you DO NOT have to stick with one black, as there is a workaround that consumes only about 12ml of ink during the swap (it's referred to as the 'South African Method'). You will need to have on hand an additional roll of any dirt cheap paper to assist in the swap. I can send you a pdf by email (shoot me an email), or maybe even a Google search will turn it up. I have done the swap numerous times, so you needn't worry about success with it or corruption of the electronics.
I found that PDF yeaterday and was one of my next questions, does it really work? I was thinking something similar to that before I found it. (I.E. could you just switch cartridges and then print a lot of monotone black to clear just that line) I'm glad to hear from someone actually using it.
Is there any downside to that technique? (other than the small loss of ink - or about $7 not too bad which is actually the upside
That would allow me to run my prints in sets of gloss canvas/luster and then watercolor and other fine art papers. It seems like most commercial applications, such as on a trade booth, would prefer the luster/glossy prints and that would help pay for the equipment beyond my own images.
The only downside is the time required to do it, and the fact that you have to 'spill' ink at all. One could say that this is a design flaw or just a very clever scheme by Epson. The technique is flawless. Good luck.
Rob:
I have a 9600 and I can tell you the technique works perfectly. Its really not a design flaw, it is a service mode shortcut used by the techs for switching blacks. I do not do that very often now since I have found that the matt black works the best accross the board and that is what I have been staying with.
Thanks for the feedback. I've got the printer now, but won't have time to play with it until next week.
This weekend will be spent on a conservation project in Mammoth Cave.
I've ordered about $70 in paper samples from inkjetart.com including several matte canvases. I plan on testing them on my 2200. I'm really interested to see how the matte canvas looks. If one looks to my liking, I may be able to get by with matte ink most of the time.
Its really not a design flaw, it is a service mode shortcut used by the techs for switching blacks.
For clarification, Marty, what I was referring to as an Epson scheme/design flaw is the fact that Epson's consumer (not tech) swap method requires up to $100 in ink (and a waste tank) to make the swap. You can bet your *ss that Epson knew/knows about the 'South African Method' workaround but was /is not willing to divulge it.
Discussion
6 repliesAs a new owner, is there anything I should know about the 7600? I currently have a 2200.
My first quandry is picking black inks since switching between Matte and Photo Black is pretty expensive on this equipment. On my 2200 I use both frequently. I use PB on Epson PremierArt Canvas and MB on Arches hot press watercolor papers and Epson enhanced matte. I also occasionally use Epson Semigloss for competition prints with PB. Since it looks like I will have to pick one black, what are most of you using as a black/paper combination? Has anyone tried MB on a matte canvas?
I found that PDF yeaterday and was one of my next questions, does it really work? I was thinking something similar to that before I found it. (I.E. could you just switch cartridges and then print a lot of monotone black to clear just that line) I'm glad to hear from someone actually using it.
Is there any downside to that technique? (other than the small loss of ink - or about $7 not too bad which is actually the upside
That would allow me to run my prints in sets of gloss canvas/luster and then watercolor and other fine art papers. It seems like most commercial applications, such as on a trade booth, would prefer the luster/glossy prints and that would help pay for the equipment beyond my own images.
I have a 9600 and I can tell you the technique works perfectly. Its really not a design flaw, it is a service mode shortcut used by the techs for switching blacks. I do not do that very often now since I have found that the matt black works the best accross the board and that is what I have been staying with.
This weekend will be spent on a conservation project in Mammoth Cave.
I've ordered about $70 in paper samples from inkjetart.com including several matte canvases. I plan on testing them on my 2200. I'm really interested to see how the matte canvas looks. If one looks to my liking, I may be able to get by with matte ink most of the time.
For clarification, Marty, what I was referring to as an Epson scheme/design flaw is the fact that Epson's consumer (not tech) swap method requires up to $100 in ink (and a waste tank) to make the swap. You can bet your *ss that Epson knew/knows about the 'South African Method' workaround but was /is not willing to divulge it.