Continuous ink systems?

Hi everyone,

Just a quick query.

I'm about to splash out on an Epson R2880 printer. Has anybody got any recommendations on continuous ink systems for these. The Lyson system looks okay, but I'd appreciate any info!

Thanks.

Hi Paul I have been using them for years in my 3 printers just get the best one you can get with the best inks.

Phil.

Paul
I,ve been using one from Ink Express for years with an EpsonR285 with no problems. I couldn't afford to print at normal cartridge charges.Epson have got wise though so make sure you can get one for that printer!!
Cheers
John

Thanks for the info John and Phil.

If you are serious about your printing, go ahead and buy the CIS system, but instead of using third party inks (which do not compare in terms of longevity or colour accuracy with the original manufacturers ink) why not buy 220ml 9800 cartridges and decant the ink into the CIS bottles? It is much cheaper to buy the ink in large format cartridges than it is to buy the tiny 10-15ml ones for the small printers.

What I say to most with good printers and third party inks is why bother when Photobox can turn out prints that are better for less?
What makes the difference with home printing is that you can choose the best papers to match what your photos will work with, using OEM ink at least gets you off to the best start when you start using very high quality papers and getting consistently good profiles for them.

john

I found that third party inks rarely gave decent results and so have had to bite the bullet and buy epson cartridges.

Hi I use fotospeed ultra K4 Inks I find them better than the Epson's inks on the paper I use, they make dye inks to that are a lot cheaper if you just want to try some C.I.S kit's out.

Phil.

Paul - if you are using a 2880 then Alexs' CIS and pigment inks will do you just fine, especially on his Ink Express Nanoporous Pearl and Gloss papers which are very good indeed.

If you make the jump to a medium format Epson in the future - like a 4800/4880 the Marrutt 500ml bulk carts with Lyson ink are spectacular and absolute dead-ringers for Ultra Chrome K3.

One of the secrets to printing is accurate custom paper profiles for your individual printer - even Epson profiles can be improved upon when using genuine Epson ink on Epson paper - if you try and print IE ink on Epson paper, or IE ink and IE paper using an Epson profile then the results may well be mediocre at best.

With the 2880 and an IE pigment ink CIS you wil obtain great looking prints provided:

You calibrate your monitor properly.

You obtain an accurate paper profile.

You proof the image to that profile in either PS or LR4.

If you get stuck with anything let me know - always happy to help

Very interesting reading. I do not do any home printing but this is really useful stuff to know. Thanks for sharing your knowledge folks!

Nick.

Blimey, thanks for the great info/tips guys!

Cheers Andy, I've been looking at a few CIS kits that give custom profiles. I'll be definitely going down that route as I already have a calibrated monitor. Thanks for such detailed help!

Paul
You may laugh ,but if you get chance- try Lidl's white glossy from "United Office" Its £5 for 50 sheets and my mate and I usually buy them out when it comes in which is not very often. You may be pleasantly surprised !!
Superb paper in my opinion!
Cheers
JR

Now that's interesting John - I was profiling some Permajet and Canson papers on a 4800 for someone the other week and they wheeled out a truckload of UO gloss paper in A4 and A3 that they had given them!

I knocked up a profile for the A3 and we printed the same image on that and Permajet Oyster - I could tell which was which - just!

It's a little light weight for my own tastes and there's certain 'greens' that it can't hold as well as other papers with a wider gamut, but for knocking up a shed load of quick prints it's not too shabby at all.

Andy
Certainly good enough for what I need. Roy Blewitt uses it so that'll do me.
JR

Thanks for the paper tip John! I'll certainly give it a go.