I'm printing from Corel X3 to my 4880.
On some files it takes forever to spool and print.
Is there a way to speed this up. Typically it is when I'm printing files that were designed in Adobe Illustrator (i don't have Adobe), that people send me.
Should I always print straigt Vector Graphics? Or how about saving as Tiffs, and printing that way?
I have this issue as well occasionally printing to my 4800. I think it just depends on the designs and what all you have printing out that makes it take longer. I don't know if it is pictures or what but I get that too.
Steve, If the artwork is created in Illustrator, you can try having the file saved as a PDF file. This is simply a "save as" function in Illustrator. Although I do not have your problem, I sometimes create artwork in Illustrator but have to print via a computer that only has Corel. My solution has been to save as PDF and just print it from Adobe Acrobat. This usually works with no problems. The only issue I have experienced is, the colors are sometimes off, but it could be the sublimation inks also.
Your printing using the standard Epson driver I am assuming and not a RIP. Try dropping the resolution and converting the graphic to a bitmap. You might want to see if you can increase the speed of your computer if it is on the slow side. At some point, if you are trying to print really large files, you might want to look at getting a RIP that will help decrease the time.
How does RIP differ from software like Power Driver? When you mention a bit map, does this mean that any vector graphic must be converted to a bit map to be printed throught RIP? Are there sources of information for RIP?
A RIP is what is used on most large format printers that are sending larger files. A RIP allows you to send more detailed color information and if you have the correct profiles for the media you are printing, you will get better color control. In simple terms, a RIP is a driver on a ton of steriods. Some RIPs will allow you to begin printing before the entire file has been sent to the printer. Thus, allowing you to print faster.
Some times when you send a vector file, the program you use will send more information then if it was a bitmap. All you are trying to do is speed up the time it takes a file to spool and go to your printer. So, you will want to decrease the file size or speed up the processor in your computer if you are using a driver.
Mark, Are there any advantages of using this type of driver on an Epson R1800? Although not a large format printer, I find that I use Power Driver Lite when printing 13 X 19 sheets due to processing wait times. Would RIP solve this and give me more control over sheet size, etc.?
A RIP can improve the speed to some point, but your computer can be a key factior. As far as I know, there are no RIPs with profiles that are made for sublimation for an 8-color system for the R1800. We are releasing one to run as a hybrid (4-channels of sublimation ink and 4-channels of heat transfers inks (ChromaBlast or MultINK). Otherwise, you might want to look at a larger printer.
I have the same issues with photoshop Cs2 and my Epson 1800 tribrid. Not worth the time it takes at all average print time is about 45 min from hitting print to spitting out image. I have lost my patience with this.
Any advice?
Spooling Time printing from Corel... 
