NO more Sawgrass for ME! thoughts on these printers ?

[Mitch]

HI all - I hope you have a had a good Friday :)

I have been running Sawgrass Sg800's for about 8yrs now, I am probably on my 4th or 5th machine now - they always go down at my busiest time
This one is is giving me all the signs that its going down! I have been running 3rd part inks on all of them.
I bought an SG1000 last year - I didn't research enough and bought in a panic, and quickly found out that I cant use 3rd party inks, now as you cant use custom ICC profiles etc etc I use Mac and don't want to use their software either. I can't stomach buying sawgrass inks. So I now have a useless SG1000!

So looking at these potential models I know they vary from size etc. - I will be using it from several different items, from mugs, several different substrates and fabrics etc. going bigger in print size would also be beneficial - Quality and speed/efficiency is my goal

1. Epson eco tank -14000
2. Epson L1800
3. Epson SC-F500 ( heard good and bad about this - ie image quality not as good as one would expect - and too much volume maybe an issue too)
4. Epson Sylus pro 7800 or 7880

Just if any one had any thoughts on these machines, as I have only ever known Sawgrass - am I missing an option? anything else to consider ?

Thanks All - Have a great weekend

[Justin]

Forget the F500, quick search on here will tell you why.

I've just sold a 9800 which the wider version of the 7800. These are superb machines, getting harder to find but still around.

L1800 again is a very good printer. i stil use the 1500's which were the predessor. The L1800 is the next evoultion. It has now been replaced again with a slightly upgraded version. Last I heard Ink Experts had a very good stock of the L1800's and weren't going to start selling the newer model until these were gone.....maybe a good deal on the cards?

14000 I've never personally owned but from what I've heard it isn't great.

Like I say, we use the 1500 and love them. For some day to day work, mugs etc. we have 2750, 2850 printers, we leave one set up with pre cut mug paper all the time.

Well done for turning your back on SG. You won't look back once you start using Inktec Sublinova, far superior and much better support. That said, I had a couple of VJ-628's running SG ink and the print was outstanding. PITA cutting prints out for mugs etc. so consider that if you're looking at the wider machines...unless you're printing enough to justify an auto cutter.

[Mitch]

Hi Justin
Thanks for your input - yeah the F500 is now crossed off my list, (shame as it seems it would have been good over all option)
I have an option on either a L7800 or a L7880 not sure what the difference is ( I will have to do some more researching)
Where you using Inktec Sublinova for your wide format printer ?
Looks like a having another A4/A3 print to hand too maybe useful for smaller items then too ie mugs etc I hear the L805/L800 are decent too.
which wider model comes with an Auto cutter? ..

[Justin]

Our 9800 had a cutter and I believe the 7800 etc. also have them if I remember correctly.

Yes we use Sublinova in all printers.

[UK Printed Mugs]

Yes the 7800 has an auto cutter and as well as Justin we use Sublinova.

[Mitch]

Thanks for the info Justin - I will have to look into this a further as to the set up for the cutting process, ie: file type from photoshop etc
I hear mainly good things with Sublinova inks

[Mitch]

Thanks Uk Printed Mugs! - do you use any particular paper brand ? .. I have only ever used A3 sheets from several different brands never rolls

[Justin]

Inktec will send you a small sample to test FOC.

[UK Printed Mugs]

https://www.xpres.co.uk/subli-print-...-24-x-85m-roll

[pw66]

The L1800 is the next evoultion. It has now been replaced again with a slightly upgraded version.

Has anyone come to an opinion yet as to whether the ET18100 is as actually good as/better than the L1800?
I will be needing to replace my last two 1500w's soon and not sure if I should stick with the tried and tested direct replacement (L1800) or go with the new (ET18100) while we still have a choice.