Before you buy a large format printer

<p>A word of warning to those considering buying a large format printer: Use it daily, or don't buy it.<br>

I bought an Epson Pro 4000 several years ago; I wish I had not done so. I do not do enough large format printing, and even small format printing. I no longer call myself "professional," but at the time I had a small business. It never paid for itself.*<br>

Here's the problem: If you do not use the large format printer daily, and I mean every day, the print head will probably clog. <br>

Cleaning it is not easy. Replacing the print head (a normal solution) costs hundreds of dollars, assuming you are near a reputable repair facility. You bring your printer to them: large format printers weigh 75 pounds or more, and are, well, large.<br>

It does not seem to matter if you get an Epson or a Canon. All suffer print head clogs. But, you say, forums list dozens of people who never have a problem. Don't convince yourself you won't get a clogged print head. Instead, decide if you print EVERY day. If you do, a large format printer might be a good choice. If you do not print EVERY day, you will most likely get into trouble. <br>

Cleaning a clog is expensive because the cleaning cycles use ink and paper. A 220ml cartridge costs $100 and you have 8 of them. Expect to spend a minimum of $3.00 per head cleaning cycle. Yesterday I ran the cycle 12 times, and the Magenta is still clogged. Power Cleaning cycles use 200 ml of ink costing about $80, with no guarantee the clog will clear. There are hundreds of sites describing the problem, many attempting to provide solutions. <br>

<br />The conclusion is clear: if you print EVERY day, a large format printer might be a good option. <br>

If you do not print EVERY day, you will most likely have problems, frustrating problems, expensive problems. </p>

<p>*In addition to replacing a print head a few years ago, the main circuit board failed. Repairs alone have cost me over $1600; that was spent on a $2000 printer.</p>

<p>Here is another interesting article along the same vein.....</p>

<p>http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/stuff2/?p=2533</p>

<p>Also, humidity plays a significant role in Epson clogging. You really want to keep the humidity near the printer fairly high, like 40-50%. The Canon's dont clog as much but their heads are designed to be changed (since their technology effectively wears out the heads) whereas Epson's do not but Epson's do like to be run every day. Running mulitple cleaning cycles one after another is not recommended (per Epson and every technician I've dealt with).</p>

<p>I greatly appreciate this kind of knowledge. Thanks for posting.</p>

Frequent clogging seems to be closely related to which Epson model one has. I have a 3880 and no clogging problems

although it is not used more than about once a month. There are lots of messages here on PNet that say Epson clogging

problems are fewer on newer models in general and on the 3880 in particular.

 

Someone suggested that low ambient humidity can be a factor. I keep my humidity around 50%. I can't really say that

helps my 3880, but my nose certainly "clogs" and dries out much less. (Occasional condensation on windows in winter

doesn't bother me -- my nose, throat and lungs are more important to me than water damage to window sills.)

 

To close with a gratuitous comment: Why would you pay $1,600 to replace the circuit board on a used, problem-prone

printer that cost $2,000?

<blockquote>

<p>Frequent clogging seems to be closely related to which Epson model one has. I have a 3880 and no clogging problems although it is not used more than about once a month.</p>

</blockquote>

<p><strong>Exactly!</strong> I have no issues with my 3880, didn't have issues with my 4800 or 7900 but the 4900 was awful about clogging unless used every day. This clogging issue isn't a large format printer problem or even one solely attributed to Epson. The same 3880 never clogged sitting next to the 4990 which clogged unless used daily. One easy solution: Built an Applescript that printed just some text from and a small picture from the Calendar app everyday. No more clogs. On Windows, Harvey Head Cleaner (not free).</p>

<p>Completely agree, and it doesn't matter what make either. I have had HP and Epsons clog so as to become unusable. My current Canon with dye inks is much better, however, than any of my previous pigment ink printers, but then I have only had it a year.</p>

<p>If you need to make high quality prints, but only on occasions, a dye sub printer is probably the best way to go. They are also much faster than inkjets if you have to run a batch of prints. They don't dry out or waste ink by continual cleaning cycles. However they do collect dust on the media and rollers if you aren't careful.</p>

<p>I bought a Kodak 8"x12" dye sub in 2007, which worked very well - wet print quality or better. Unfortunately it was obsolete by 2011, when Kodak abandoned all support for drivers and supplies. Shortly thereafter, Kodak abandoned home printing altogether. I'm left using a Xerox color laserjet, which is motel lobby brochure quality at best. My inkjet printers petrified on the shelf while the dye sub reigned.</p>

<p>I have an Epson 3800 for almost 3 years. I print occasionally (1 or 2 a month sometimes more) and I have never had an issue with a clogged head.</p>

<p>I have a HP PhotoSmart Pro B9180 brick. Not much "pro" or "smart" about it these days:</p>

<p>It was plagued by software issues, doubly frustrating: a test print could done with the printer's own menu, but communication with my computer would be regularly thwarted, necessitating DAYS of farting around, uninstalling, trying various HP "diagnostics". It now appears to have completely given up the ghost, makes loud ominous sounds when the mechanism moves through it's travel.</p>

<p>Neil Young had an appropriate name for it. Between this and their abysmal RPN calculators of late, i'll never by another HP product.</p>

<p>My HP 8750 was totally different: It NEVER clogged. Ever.<br>

It was a decent printer till it died after about 8 or 9 years.<br>

Since there's now only Epson and Canon, I've decided not to buy a printer for the time being. I just have the local shop print for me. I'm saving an absolute fortune on inks and paper.<br>

I think many out there are rethinking the wisdom of doing their own printing unless they absolutely have to. Especially when you start building up giant prints in every corner and stored in the garage and attic...</p>

<p>You should take a look at the new Epson printers that are coming. Refillable tanks, new inkhead technology, and new inks. They mention it will take about 2 years for all of the new models to appear. This is really interesting to me.</p>

<p>Mathew, do you have additional info or URL?</p>

<p>My only experience with a LF printer (Epson) was a disaster. After fussing with x64 printer drivers, profiles, monitor calibration, etc. attempting to achieve satisfactory test prints, travel took me away for several weeks. On return, one head refused to unclog despite many hours searching the Internet and trying various cleaning and unclogging solutions, and many print cartridges wasted on the effort. New head or junk the printer? I chose to junk the printer (without ever producing a print) and find on-line print services. Lesson learned is these printers require attention and regular printing for good output. With my schedule, which is increasing away from the home office, my best printing option is to outsource to print services.</p>

<p>Yes, the Epson 4000 was renown for clogging issues. The enormously bad feedback and forum discussions about this printer must have hit home with Epson because every pro printer I've had since then have never had this level of clogging. You bought the last lemon of the Epson line. </p>

<p>As someone who used to print frequently in the darkroom, home inkjet printing was something I researched quite a bit and was eager to get into. 7 years later and I have yet to give it a go. For every person who has had zero problems with their Epson there seem to be one or two others who have it clog up after sitting idle for more than a week. Even less enticing is that the remedy seems to be for printers to waste copious amounts of expensive ink to "heal" themselves. Of all the things digital has revolutionized (technologically speaking), home inkjet printing is seriously lagging in my mind. For the infrequent amount of printing I do they seem like temperamental money pits. I send my files out when I need prints.</p>

<p>The more correct title for this thread might have been: Before You Buy an Epson Large Format Printer.<br>

I've owned two Canon LF printers, an ipf8000 and now the 8300. I've not had head clogging issues with either. I've had to replace heads from use and Canon considers the heads consumable items (albeit expensive). I've gone as long as a month between uses when away on trips. The machines automatically clean the heads and the ink cartridges are designed with a mechanism that periodically stirs the inks to prevent settling. It will be interesting to see if a new crop of Epson printers correct past issues. FWIW, I also have an Epson 3880 and it's never clogged although I use it at least once a week.</p>

<p>I posted again, today, January 20, 2015. It's an update. BE SMART. Lots of people have had no problems. BUT that is anecdotal evidence. Valid statistics are NOT available. Reading forums for hours, my conclusion is that most people do have problems. These printers are designed to be used every day, several times a day. Yes, it does get worst in dry climates, such as northern USA in the winter. </p>

>>> Yes, the Epson 4000 was renown for clogging issues. ... You bought the last lemon of the Epson line.

 

Not necessarily. I have a 4800 that is hopelessly clogged.

 

When I need to print I use Costco. Superb 7800/7900 results, and with 16x20 prints for $5.99 and 20x30

prints for $8.99 I have no reason to go back.

<p>I used to have this problem but have now solved it... My solution should work for the x900 series printers..<br>

See http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3900280</p>