Not sure if this will help...BUT... As I understand it...there were three inks commonly used in USA. Sawgrass...makers of Sublijet IQ threaten lawsuits and did file..claiming patent infringement by Artanium and Rotech. Rotech pulled out of US market. I think Artanium folded and was purchased by the Sawgrass Corp.. So the two biggies in US appear to be from same Corp. But there is a company, Texas Original Graphics that did not cave in and I think they are fighting Sawgrass and were successful getting the venue moved to a Texas Court. here is a link - SUBLIMATION AT IT'S BEST will take you to Texas Original Graphics, A texas company that so far is bucking the Sawgrass machine...so far... I understand their ink is a bit cheaper, but I have never used...you might check them out
Thanks to our court system and the Sawgrass company their is no competition on inks. I have stopped doing sublimation for this reason.I feel our country was built on free enterprise and competition.when you remove either of these from free enterprise then you are createing a monopoly.i will now step down from my soap box and say good luck to finding cheaper prices. Good luck ....JB
Thanks to our court system and the Sawgrass company their is no competition on inks. I have stopped doing sublimation for this reason.I feel our country was built on free enterprise and competition.when you remove either of these from free enterprise then you are createing a monopoly.i will now step down from my soap box and say good luck to finding cheaper prices. Good luck ....JB
OK, JB, no need to respond to my other post asking this exact question. I guess I waited a bit too long to order those TOG inks. Dang, I really didn't want to spend $700 on laser sub toner.
The patent courts have been out of control for a while now. They are more interested in protecting the interests of Big Business than fostering and protecting innovation, which was the original purpose.
Trishtaz..... what do you mean you waited long to order TOG inks? As far as I know they are still in business. I just checked their site and the only place they don't sell is in South Carolina...guess because that is where sawgrass is. Their web site gives the latest filing and court dates in their lawsuit.
As I understand it, Sawgrass filed suit in SC Then TOG filed in TX but due to some quirk in Texas laws and some conditions set in Fed Statutes when Texas joined the union, TOG was successful in getting the suit in SC transfered to TX. Of course this paragraph is based totally on info that I have heard/read and may be totally off the mark...But I do know the case in SC has been combined with the one in US Dist Court in Dallas, TX.
Trishtaz..... what do you mean you waited long to order TOG inks? As far as I know they are still in business. I just checked their site and the only place they don't sell is in South Carolina...guess because that is where sawgrass is. Their web site gives the latest filing and court dates in their lawsuit.
As I understand it, Sawgrass filed suit in SC Then TOG filed in TX but due to some quirk in Texas laws and some conditions set in Fed Statutes when Texas joined the union, TOG was successful in getting the suit in SC transfered to TX. Of course this paragraph is based totally on info that I have heard/read and may be totally off the mark...But I do know the case in SC has been combined with the one in US Dist Court in Dallas, TX.
Charles, that was my understanding also until I read JB's post above and in another thread. I e-mailed them late Friday and wasn't expecting a response until tomorrow anyway -- guess I'll see what they say. My (probably overquick) conclusion from JB's comment was that it was a recent development in the case.
Tog is still in business, but Sawgrass and the courts have run all the smaller guys out.I have heard that tog is holding thei own right now.I didn't mean to confuse you. In the past you could buy dye sub ink for half the price it is today. I used a ink that cost me less half of the goin rate and it used the reguar epson profile .Ole the good ole days ( last year ). ... JB
I'm glad, I'm not the only one voiceing my distates for the ability for a company to successfully monopolize a certain market . The worst part of this is our court system is aideing them to squeeze out all competition. ....JB
I'm glad, I'm not the only one voiceing my distates for the ability for a company to successfully monopolize a certain market . The worst part of this is our court system is aideing them to squeeze out all competition. ....JB
No, it's not that they've monopolized the market. If they have a legitimate patent and are playing by the rules I can't fault them for that. The system is purposefully designed so that companies *can* do this ... for a brief period of time.
I don't know the history of the sublimating inks and all the legal cases. If it turns out they have some overly general patents and have been using them to destroy everybody, I'd like them less. But still, that's not why I don't like them.
I don't like them for 2 reasons:
1. They are out to screw the little guy. You know, us. I can't negotiate huge volumes to get discount prices. $300 for set of inks is ridiculous, especially given then they used to be cheaper before they shut down the competition.
2. They're arrogant pricks. Well, at least the reps I've dealt with are. If you're going to stick it to me monetarily, don't act like you're doing me a favor in doing so. It's insulting and infuriating.
No, it's not that they've monopolized the market. If they have a legitimate patent and are playing by the rules I can't fault them for that. The system is purposefully designed so that companies *can* do this ... for a brief period of time.
The patent courts don't make this distinction, but I do: there's a difference between someone who steals another's specific "recipe" and takes money that is rightfully the patentholder's, and someone who comes up with a recipe on their own that just happens to be similar. I have not read the details either, but the fact that Sawgrass is going after numerous competitors makes me suspect the latter situation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moo Spot Prints
They are out to screw the little guy.
I find this ironic, considering that inkjet dyesub inks are particularly attractive to the little guys who can't afford the $700 set of toners.
just for the record....from one has done sublimation for over 7 years... the bulk system of dye sub...with about the same yield as laser toners will cost around 600+ for the six plus cartridge systems...The reason I still do dye sub is there are some things that dye sub does better...maybe pricier...but better in some areas
the bulk system of dye sub...with about the same yield as laser toners will cost around 600+ for the six plus cartridge systems...
Charles, you are correct -- I was just looking at the budget C88 system with four inks. If you are like me and just looking to dip your toe in the dyesub waters, it will only set me back $75 for the printer and $208 for the ink cartridges, considerably less than the toners (and I already own the color laser). Assuming, of course, that TOG ever e-mails me ... no answer today. Guess they are busy fighting the lawsuit.
You guys might be interested to know that there's a company here in the Uk still bucking the Sawgrass trend! They sell 100ml for 13.98 USD. Not tried it myself,but recommended on another forum I use,by a guy who does quite a lot of business with them.
HTH
Babs Continuous Ink
For trishtaz....try calling them...gets results...I called this AM and order a set of ink carts for my extra 1280...so that will let me try out their inks.
Dye Dub Inks - where to buy cheap? 
