On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 23:06:04 -0800, Shel Belinkoff wrote: > I want an inexpensive printer for making Q&D proof prints and as > an introduction to inkjet printing. The Epson C-84 was suggested > as a possibility. Price is certainly right. Any thoughts on > puppy or similar inexpensive options?
I can't comment on this printer specifically, or it's competitors, for that matter. I have an Epson Stylus Photo 820 that I feel does really well up to the 8" x 10" prints that I've done on it. My comment, though, is that the really cheap printers are built and sold on the "Razors & Blades" plan. They more or less give you the printer and make their profits on the ink. So, if you're doing a lot of volume, the ink costs can eat you up. I usually get about 30 or so 8" x 10" prints from a color cartridge on the 820. The cartridge costs about US$ 25, so it's around a buck a pop in ink. And since you're doing proof prints, I wouldn't get the third-party ink cartridges (or refill kits) unless I had the time and equipment and software to do full calibrations for the third-party inks. I'd also recalibrate more often using third-party inks, since I figure Epson probably goes to more effort to insure lot-to-lot consistency. TTYL, DougF KG4LMZ
