mark_herring

IMHO, the best way to get comfortable with printing is to do at least some of it yourself. Photo-quality inkjets can be had for $150 or less, and you will find that you can do things that would be pretty difficult when dealing with a vendor. As a minimum, you will learn how the whol process works---and thus getter better results when you buy prints.

Re the Epsons and borderless:

On my 1280, it is very much WYSIWYG--maybe it crops off 1%. Using 4" roll paper, and setting print size to 4.0", I sometimes get a very thin white edge. Solved that by setting print size to 4.03".

Curiously, I bought an Epson photo 900, and borderless mode was cropping about 6-7%....! This even though the specs are the same as the 1280. Epson support was useless.

Finally solved the problem by installing a driver for the 890.

The moral: Mfgs dink around with drivers to create new "features", but the front line people dont necessarily know what is going on.

 

No clue if this will relate to the HP issue.

I'm just getting started with MIS inks in my Epsons (Photo 900 and 1280).

1280: MIS original archival pigment--excellent results. About to try a cartridge with their "perpetual" archival pigment--slight variation on the original.

900: Will be set up with the MIS "Epson-equivalent" dye ink.

 

(One nice feature of this setup is that the 900 and 1280 use the same cartridges)

 

My limited research says that MIS is among the best 3rd party ink suppliers.

 

BTW--in re another post in this thread: I very seriously question a blanket statement that 3rd party inks fade more quickly. Every combo of ink and paper has a set of attributes, including fade resistance.

 

I am currently refilling. Counting my labor, I doubt if am saving huge bucks. If you really want to same money AND time, get a continuous feed system

In re the 1280:

"Good enough" for many uses. Exceptional photo quality, if not the absolute highest resolution. Reliable. LOTS of 3rd party stuff available: continuous feed, cartridges, refill kits, etc. e.g.: Was just looling at some of the new "Ultra-tone" inks (aka reduced gamut---used for controllable-tint B&W) from MIS. Only available for the C82 and the 1280.