Mono Printer

[socialgiraffe]

Hi All

If you just want to print black can anyone see a reason why a mono ink jet will not work?

Reason I ask is because the recommended Epson printer (4015) has been upgraded to the 5110. There are still plenty of its "little brother" for sale which are only mono. Considerably cheaper and could be perfect for my needs, but I wonder if I am missing something.

Please do not offer advice of "get colour anyway", I have enough Ricoh's to last a life time. I have a three year contract for Hi Vis vests so want something that will sit there all day and bang out black text (I am even considering getting refill carts and using the ink from the waste ink collector to print!)

[spongerobinson]

Hi All

If you just want to print black can anyone see a reason why a mono ink jet will not work?

Reason I ask is because the recommended Epson printer (4015) has been upgraded to the 5110. There are still plenty of its "little brother" for sale which are only mono. Considerably cheaper and could be perfect for my needs, but I wonder if I am missing something.

Please do not offer advice of "get colour anyway", I have enough Ricoh's to last a life time. I have a three year contract for Hi Vis vests so want something that will sit there all day and bang out black text (I am even considering getting refill carts and using the ink from the waste ink collector to print!)

Only issue I could think of, is that some blacks are made up of a mix of other colours as well, and don't always just use 100% black ink.

[socialgiraffe]

Only issue I could think of, is that some blacks are made up of a mix of other colours as well, and don't always just use 100% black ink.

As I am creating the artwork (which is just text and a black and white logo (EPS)) then that is not a problem.

[pisquee]

Don't see why not - be good to source the blackest colour sublimation ink you can though to make sure it's a good black.
Cheaper option may be to get a less expensive 4 colour Epson, and just put black ink in each slot, or, if there are Epson's (or Brother's?) available that have an option in the driver to just print with black, then you could put cleaning fluid in the other 3 carts.

[socialgiraffe]

Don't see why not - be good to source the blackest colour sublimation ink you can though to make sure it's a good black.
Cheaper option may be to get a less expensive 4 colour Epson, and just put black ink in each slot, or, if there are Epson's (or Brother's?) available that have an option in the driver to just print with black, then you could put cleaning fluid in the other 3 carts.

Because these are hi vis vests I have a feeling that I will be chucking anything I can find through the printer, black, CMY, orange juice... whatever prints

Will give the other idea's a thought, but it looks like I have found a 4015 that will be going very very very cheap (I know you are reading this LOL!!!).

Will report back with my findings when I have decided what to do etc

[spongerobinson]

Orange juice could produce interesting results!

[pisquee]

Be careful with using inks from the waste tank, depending on how long they have sat there and the temperature and humidity of the room your printer is in, they may have dried/congealed a bit, and then you'd be looking at clogging your new printer.