Double Sided Printing on the Epson 2200/3800

[Frank Petronio]

As part of a book-making project I'm going to need to print images on boths sides of a sheet. Right now I have a Epson 2200 with QTR but I'm considering getting a 3800 soon.

Any advice in general? And specific...

- Which matte papers have you used successfully?

- What is the best way to avoid getting ink smears on the second run through? The few times I've tried it I have occassionally gotten a smear on my 2200.

- I can handle the "flip" layout by trial and error and a ruler. Any other layout hints?

Thanks

[Greg Lockrey]

My first job with the 3800 was making 300 @ 2 sided holiday cards four to a sheet. The front was EEM and I used the plain paper setting for the reverse (inside). To my surprise, the indexing was spot on and I did not have any smears, wheelmarks, or the like for the entire run. As for actual two sided papers, I haven't used any yet. Since I was making cards, I needed as heavy as stock I could get for the cost. I wish there was an economical 300 gsm paper though. BTW, I do all of my layout work with Qimage.

[Kirk Gittings]

Crane makes a good double sided paper. Museo II ?

[Bill McMannis]

Frank,

I have had a lot of luck using Red River's 50# Premium Matte. Item #1510. I probably have run 1500 sheets (most two-sided) though my 2200 with no problem as far as smearing. Red River recommends reducing the ink 10% for this paper, but I felt it gave the images a washed out look. I just created a profile and have pretty good vibrancy.

[Brian Ellis]

Moab Entrada Fine Art Natural is a double-sided paper that I've used with my 2200.

[Helen Bach]

Frank,

I've used Epson Ultrasmooth Fine Art (also Premier Art Hot Press, which is available in lighter weights and in bright white) double sided in a 2200 with no problems, always using the rear feeder of course.

Innova supply double sided Photo Smooth Cotton in 225 g/m². I haven't used the double sided, but I know that the 215 g/m² single sided is available in grain short for letter and grain long for 17 x 22 (I cut it to 11 x 17 grain short), which may be an issue depending on how you bind the pages.

Best,
Helen

[Ron Marshall]

I've used Moab Entrada FAN in my 2200 doublesided without any flaking.

[Greg Lockrey]

Crane makes a good double sided paper. Museo II ?

I appreciate your suggestion Kirk, but with my clientel, I struggle with charging $.75 per A6 card with envelope. This is Toledo, not Chicago. The paper does look like a good one for Frank's purpose as well as the Moab Entrada and Epson Ultrasmooth. I'm sure the Red River is good as well, though I never used it.

Helen brought up a really good point Frank, how are you going to bind these? Simple combs? How large will the final page be?

[Steven Barall]

The Inkpress paper will work for you and it is reasonably priced. You can get it from B&H Photo. If you want to avoid bleed through, use a thick paper.

[Kirk Gittings]

I understand Greg, but Frank was talking about printing images on both sides right? It sounds like he needs a paper which is coated on both sides.