Epson Surecolor P800

[ndg]

I cannot take the clogging issues of the Epson 4900 anymore and want to replace mine. Does anyone have any first-hand experience with the Epson Surecolor P800?
What rags does it print on well? Does it do digital negatives? Any clogging issues so far? Thanks!

[sanking]

I cannot take the clogging issues of the Epson 4900 anymore and want to replace mine. Does anyone have any first-hand experience with the Epson Surecolor P800?
What rags does it print on well? Does it do digital negatives? Any clogging issues so far? Thanks!

Hi Nana,

I don't know about clogging issues with the P800. But for sure the *900 series appears to have been a dog in every size.

If you want to make digital negatives I would suggest you go back a bit in time and pick up a 7800 or 7880 (or 9800/9880). I am using now both a 7800 and 7880 and never have clogs with either of them, in a climate very similar to yours. Look around on sites like Craigs List for these printers in your area, which have a great reputation for digital negatives. With me for certain, and some others I know but won't mention.

I very seriously doubt that the P800 would give better results with digital negatives than a 7800/7880.

Just my two cents worth of course.

Best,

Sandy

[wager123]

I have had my P800 for 9 mo now and even leaving it sit for weeks and twice months have had no clogging problems . I use Museo portifoilo rag and museo max and inkpress for digital negs
I love this printer.
mitch

[ndg]

Hi Nana,

I don't know about clogging issues with the P800. But for sure the *900 series appears to have been a dog in every size.

If you want to make digital negatives I would suggest you go back a bit in time and pick up a 7800 or 7880 (or 9800/9880). I am using now both a 7800 and 7880 and never have clogs with either of them, in a climate very similar to yours. Look around on sites like Craigs List for these printers in your area, which have a great reputation for digital negatives. With me for certain, and some others I know but won't mention.

I very seriously doubt that the P800 would give better results with digital negatives than a 7800/7880.

Just my two cents worth of course.

Best,

Sandy

Sandy, thanks! It seems to be the C/VM channel that clogs constantly so I can print B&W but no color.
I want a printer that does it all like the 4900 when healthy.

[ndg]

I have had my P800 for 9 mo now and even leaving it sit for weeks and twice months have had no clogging problems . I use Museo portifoilo rag and museo max and inkpress for digital negs
I love this printer.
mitch

That's good to know! Thank you!

[Kirk Gittings]

I've been printing on one of my students p800 and I love it. Better D-Max and if you look at Aardengberg-better longevity. I'll buy one myself as soon as I have the spare coin.

[Daniel Stone]

A friend of mine runs some "regular prints"(aka stuff off the web, or word documents) through his 24" Epson EVERY DAY. He also keeps a dust cover on it all the time, until it's in-use. Not sure about which model it is, but he's NEVER had a clog or needed to run a head cleaning. Was recommended this regimen of care by an Epson technical rep who taught a class he took early on in his digital printing days. Yes, those "regular prints" cost money in ink, but combined with setting the printer to auto-print a test page 1-2 times per week in addition, it's cheaper than changing the heads or wasting money on cleaning cycles due to clogged jets/nozzles.

[ndg]

A friend of mine runs some "regular prints"(aka stuff off the web, or word documents) through his 24" Epson EVERY DAY. He also keeps a dust cover on it all the time, until it's in-use. Not sure about which model it is, but he's NEVER had a clog or needed to run a head cleaning. Was recommended this regimen of care by an Epson technical rep who taught a class he took early on in his digital printing days. Yes, those "regular prints" cost money in ink, but combined with setting the printer to auto-print a test page 1-2 times per week in addition, it's cheaper than changing the heads or wasting money on cleaning cycles due to clogged jets/nozzles.

Believe me, I've done it all. Humidifier, a test print 5x/week, dust cover. Sometimes I'll run test prints 4 days straight. On the 5th day, I get nothing! I even have the Epson program to charge and clean out the lines!
The x900 printers are dogged by clogging issues.

[Jim Andrada]

So is my 4880. Of course the Arizona climate and the fact that I print maybe once every month or two could be contributing. I'm interested in this discussion because I'm also thinking about a P800

Edit: Only thing that doesn't look so good about it is that there doesn't seem to be a roll cut-off knife. Which is probably not an immense problem. Would really like a 24" printer, but space (and $$$ as always) is a bit tight..

[Willie]

Someone should get a class action suit started against Epson for the 4900 and its problems. They put out a printer that is not fit for what they say it will do.
On the P800 - a good friend and printer who does a lot got rid of his because of recurring problems with ink delivery and went to HP. After more than 500 prints with the HP the first month - no problems. The Epson was a major disaster and Epson tech folk were not good about helping. His dealer was good to him and refunded what he paid for it.

[Jim Andrada]

I had the same experience with my Epson VS an HP - but the print quality of the Epson is miles better than the HP so I grin and bear it!