Which A4 Printer for Sublimation?

[valentine rhodes]

valentine rhodes
the epson printers seem to have a lot of trouble with there heads, air blocks or drying in. Are the ricoh gx5050 prone to any of these faults.
And a merry xmas and Happy New Year to everyone.

[voicis]

valentine rhodes
the epson printers seem to have a lot of trouble with there heads, air blocks or drying in. Are the ricoh gx5050 prone to any of these faults.
And a merry xmas and Happy New Year to everyone.

i disagree with You. I am using epson r285, which is A4 and 6 color, use it with sublimation inks, and everything is okay, never had problems with clogging, printed about few litres of ink for more information, about inks etc. >>>>PM

[JSR]

valentine rhodes
the epson printers seem to have a lot of trouble with there heads, air blocks or drying in. Are the ricoh gx5050 prone to any of these faults.
And a merry xmas and Happy New Year to everyone.

i disagree with You. I am using epson r285, which is A4 and 6 color, use it with sublimation inks, and everything is okay, never had problems with clogging, printed about few litres of ink for more information, about inks etc. >>>>PM

I agree. It's not the printers that are inherently faulty. I've had Epson printers for years, all different models, long before I started dye-subbing. The *only* time I had a blockage issue was when someone tried a common "compatible" cartridge to save a few quid. Couldn't get it to do a proper nozzle check at all. But as soon as an OEM cart was put in, one headclean had it working fine - and that was an OEM cart that was four years out of date!

When I began dye-sub, I had a horrible issue with nozzle blocking (so I thought). This was before I had a CISS and was using a couple of dye-sub ink cartridges (Lyson). I could not get a clear nozzle check pattern for love nor money. I eventually put in a couple of new OEM carts and, one head clean later, all was working well.

Epson printers aren't designed to work with CISS or with non-Epson ink. If we get them to work, that's more to do with the durability of the machines and following common practices that prove successful. Yes, air blockages can occur when using a CISS or refillable cartridges but that's not the printer's fault because they were not designed for them.

Ideally, the developer of the ink should manufacture their own printer - one that they can maintain for a long period, one ideally suited to their ink, and one that has replaceable printheads. That'd be Sawgrass, then. But they don't do that. As a result, we're forced to adapt printers that aren't designed for the job and are forever at the mercy of Epson's "revolving door policy" of cheap-end printers. Judging by common talk of the A4 Ricoh, they have a revolving door policy as well.

Saying all that, however, who'd have thought that you could print mugs for the price of a cheap printer and stuffing it full of special ink? Time was that you'd be spending thousands just to get the basic setup, rather than a couple of hundred. Ink blockage issues, when they occur, are the price we pay for not paying the price - if you see what I mean.

[Flash]

Hi Guys,
Well I hope you are not all feeling as fat as I do at the moment, I think a good walk will help in the morning!
I have put in a cheeky 'offer' for a Epson D120 on Feebay which I am hoping will be accepted.
Now I am trying to work out weather to go for refillable carts or a CISS system for this machine. I am a little confused as on Feebay a search for a CISS system for an Epson D120 throws up 3 results, two show a 4 cartridge set-up and one shows a 5 cartridge set-up
Does the Epson have a 'dual black' cartridge arrangement or not?
I will probably be filling my Epson with 'Rotech' sublimation ink and will be begging for an ICC profile for this set-up in the very near future if anyone could help I would be most grateful.

Phil

[Justin]

Hi Phil,

The D120 does have 5 cart's (2 blacks) I use the refillable cart's with mine. First set split open and leaked, luckily out of the printer, second set have been just fine although getting the printer to reset when you fill them can be a challenge!
If you get a CIS make sure it's a good one, good idea to start off with the refil. carts until you're happy with the results.

Any reason why you go for the Rotech over Artainium?

Justin

[Flash]

Hi Phil,

The D120 does have 5 cart's (2 blacks) I use the refillable cart's with mine. First set split open and leaked, luckily out of the printer, second set have been just fine although getting the printer to reset when you fill them can be a challenge!
If you get a CIS make sure it's a good one, good idea to start off with the refil. carts until you're happy with the results.

Any reason why you go for the Rotech over Artainium?

Justin

Hi Justin,
Did you get 'bashed-up' over Christmas? You've got a bag over your head and they have stole most of your posts
Anyway, back on topic. I regularly use a supplier for Transfer Paper who is a stockist of 'Rotech' Sublimation Ink we have some trading history with this supplier. Would you say the Rotech is inferior to Artainium?
I'm a little nervous about using refillables as I had a nightmare with them in the past! I think though that it will be cheaper to set up than filling a CISS with sublimation ink.

Phil

[Justin]

The 'bag' image relates to my admin login. I forgot to log that one out before posting! I try to do everything under jnmann

I used Rotech once, several years ago. I could never get the colours right and the company I bought the full CIS from were a complete and utter waste of space, they're one of the big suppliers as well.

Artainium I've never really had problems with (except the cost!) and I'm about to buy a new CIS. I've been toying with the idea of refil. carts in my new 1400 but it'll cost more to buy the inks seperate than a full CIS (Yes, I realise I'll get 90ml opposed to 125ml)

Justin

[Flash]

I'm glad you cleared that up Justin as when I went back to the thread the 'man called Justin with the bag on his head' had disappeared! I had a drink earlier but not that many
Obviously I am open to suggestion as i've not yet made a choice on Ink. As I am just starting out in Dye Sub I would like to get this right. If Rotech is no good I won't buy it! At £50ish per colour for 125ml it could prove to be a costly mistake.
Where do I purchase Artainium Inks?

Phil

[Justin]

Most suppliers sell the Artainium, BMS, Xpres for example. I'm sure others have had good experience with Rotech but personally I've never been back to it.
I've been debating ink myself recently and I'm hoping to get the Artainium back up and running.

[Flash]

Hi,
Ok, offer on Feebay was rejected The Epson D120 was listed for £69.00 + £9.99 P&P and I offered £55.00 + £9.99 P&P.
Not one to be defeated I went to Google 'Shopping' and managed to get one for £51.97 delivered It's on it's way!
Now just a CISS system (I've decided to go this way!) some Sub Ink, some dye-sub Paper and an ICC profile. Then i'm printing mugs!

Phil