Hi I was thinking about getting this printer and was wondering if anyone had asny personal experience with it. Specifically I’m wondering how well it handles thicker paper such as 2 ply bristol. Also it says it has a roll feed, is there any limit to how long the paper is? The largest standard size that it says it will print is 44" in length, is this the absolute limit or will it print on paper longer than that? Also, any personal experience on the print quality? Thanks for any help.
If you’re worried about substrate thickness get the Epson 2200. We have both and the 2200 is capable of flat material. It’s also 6-colour so flesh tones will be smoother.
:)ensen
I have one, had it for about 3 years now and am really happy with it over all.
Printing on paper of 44" is possible, but not always easy, there are a few tweeks that you have to do in order for it to print correctly, but is is possible. Basically the print driver can not handle a page size over 44". what you can do is print in banner mode so it minimizes the margins between the pages to about a hairline. So if what ever it is you are printing has a white packground and you can design it to handle a hairline of non printing where the pages come together you will be fine. …Does that make sense? Its a pain to explain. If you need me to draw a diagram out I will.
I am not exactly sure how thick 2 ply bristol is, but I have printed on pretty think paper before and it does a nice job.
PGB
I had the 1270 and loved it. I had to part ways with it recently though. I hadn’t used it on a while and print heads were beyond cleaning with the “self-cleaning app.” It’s most cost effective to buy a new printer than replace the print heads in this case…but I digress.
The guts of the 1270 and 1280 are the same, so I would say that you’ll be very happy with the print quality. It does a fine job with heavier paper stock as well. It’s a top load printer so the stock doesn’t have to bend that much. I never printed anything to the max length, so I can’t help you out with that one…
From what I hear, HP’s equivalent is top notch as well, and I’m pretty sure that, unlike Epson, HP’s print cartridges have built in print heads so they are replaced every time you get new ink. I don’t know this for a fact, but if true, would make me pick the HP over the EPSON in the future.
They stopped producing the 1280, so you will have to buy an used one or reburbished. The 1280 is the nicest printer with good price. The 2200 is way more expensive.
Try to find someone with a 1280 and run a test. If it works, just pay them some money or buy them dinner and have them print your stuffs.
Yeah, I should have mentioned the price difference. Sometimes I forget that I don’t pay the bills, just create them.
I’ve never had better results from an HP of the same price point and market segment as an Epson.
Even though the HP heads are changed with each cartridge they are “aligned” only as well as the snap-in cartridge. While the Epson heads are permanent and will eventually wear out, I believe they are rated for at least 20,000 fully printed sheets so they won’t need replacing until after you upgrade to a faster printer.
Granted that it’s not much for the most common printing tasks, but I think it is a telling fact that the best local pro shop recommends either Epson or Canon printers for “economy” photo work. For “real” work it always a high-end dye-sub.
:)ensen.
I’ve got one and use the hell out of it. It’s the best printer I’ve ever had.
But, I use it for pretty basic stuff - the highest quality I do is usually renderings at 150 dpi on 13x19"… certainly nothing over 44" long…
but it does handle Bristol just fine… I’ve done that before.
I have an Epson 1200 at home
(yeah that’s right, i’m oldschool)
basically the same as the 1270, 1280 only it’s older than dirt
it’s an amazing machine, the 1280 was the printer of choice for all my Graphic design pals back in college and the 1200 could hang strong with it.
At work they bought me an epson 3000, it purports to handle 17x44 printing but gets more and more finicky the wider the print job i select, and banner printing from the roll feeder is a nightmare i have never had an image come out that wasn’t proportionally distorted from the rollers not being able to move the paper at a synched speed with the print heads. (i have been on the phone with tech support and done everything they have told me and tried every trick in the manual but alas my work comes out looking like an oompa loompa.)
i think what i am trying to say is, if you have a chance to lay your paws on a 1280 snatch thet piece up, but i don’t think their reputation speaks to all epson products
Thanks for the advice all. The 1280 is still listed on Epson’s website so I would think I could still buy one.
Basically the print driver can not handle a page size over 44". what you can do is print in banner mode so it minimizes the margins between the pages to about a hairline. So if what ever it is you are printing has a white packground and you can design it to handle a hairline of non printing where the pages come together you will be fine. …Does that make sense? Its a pain to explain. If you need me to draw a diagram out I will.
This would work for what I need it to. I’ll be using it to print out my portfolio which is made up of folded lengths of paper instead of traditional pages, any hairline gaps will have a score line running down it anyways. Is the banner process reliable or finicky? How long a piece can you print on it, infinite?