Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
I need some help. Let me explain the situation I am in. I am very new to this industry and have just purchased my first printer and heat presses (I may have jumped the gun a little).
I bought an Epson 4880 hybrid for sublimation and chromoblast. I am going to be doing both poly-materials and cottons.
I wish I had discovered this forum before I made my purchases because I am learning a lot.
I am in Hawaii and so I understand that dealing with humidity will be an issue.
I recently attended the NBM Show in Long Beach and that is where I got my printer. First I was told that with the hybrid you have to use the sublimation ink and the chromoblast equally... then I was told it wouldn't be an issue.
Now I am learning that it will be an issue and it could end up costing me a lot more in ink if I don't use both inks equally.
I will probably be using 80% sublimation and only 20% chromoblast.
So I am wondering if I should just use the 4880 for sublimation and get a smaller printer and keep it only for chromoblast.
Then would I get to use 8 different colors for the 4880? Or would I be using only 4 colors, but on both sides?
I don't know if the hybrid driver has been installed on the 4880 (I can't find out until tomorrow because they were closed 11 am HST). But if it has, is there a way to undo it? If the hybrid driver hasn't been installed then it won't be an issue, right?
I would hate to have to send the 4880 back because I just paid an arm and a leg to ship it over here (it arrives next week).
Which smaller Epson would be recommeded for just using chromoblast. It doesn't have to be big because I will mostly be using it for baby clothes designs.
Now about inks. The vendor I bought the printer from only sells the IQ Sublijet Ink. I have been learning from reading the threads here that the ArTainium ink is just as good and about half the cost.
My printer is coming with the Sublijet ink and chromoblast ink. If I want to use the ArTainium ink then I can't use any of the sublijet ink.
And, if I only use the 4880 for sublimation, and get a smaller Epson for chromoblast, I will also have chromoblast ink for the 4880 which I won't be able to use. Plus, extra ink is being included with my printer.
What do I do with all this ink?
I also made the mistake of using a supplier on the East Coast when I should have been trying to find someone in California so the time difference isn't so big.
I know that is a lot of information and a lot of questions, but any and all advice will be greatly appreciated.
I went through a similar process, except with a 4800 hybrid. Bought it used and research after the fact I came to the decision not to use Chromoblast. I changed out mine to an Artanium/Multi-Ink hybrid combination. Let's me do sublimation with the Artanium and I do heat transfers and film positives (for screen printing) with the Multi-Ink configuration.
The only thing I'm still disappointed with is everytime I turn the printer off/on, I loose ink. Once the volume picks up on the sub, I'm hoping it's less of an issue.
Yes, I was told not to turn the printer on and off just for that reason. Ink being so expensive it is just better to keep the printer running then lose ink.
I went through a similar process, except with a 4800 hybrid. Bought it used and research after the fact I came to the decision not to use Chromoblast. I changed out mine to an Artanium/Multi-Ink hybrid combination. Let's me do sublimation with the Artanium and I do heat transfers and film positives (for screen printing) with the Multi-Ink configuration.
The only thing I'm still disappointed with is everytime I turn the printer off/on, I loose ink. Once the volume picks up on the sub, I'm hoping it's less of an issue.
I, too, have the 4800 and am considering switching from Chromablast to Multi-Ink. What did you have to do to make the switch?
Were you required to reset the chips, change sponges, etc.?
How do you like the Multi-Ink transfers compared to the Chromablast?
I, too, have the 4800 and am considering switching from Chromablast to Multi-Ink. What did you have to do to make the switch?
Were you required to reset the chips, change sponges, etc.?
How do you like the Multi-Ink transfers compared to the Chromablast?
Some of the more technologically literate here may provide another solution, but I did buy and start using the "Multi-RIP" RIP software. From the printer/ink standpoint, they recommend using the cleaning cartridges to flush the Chromablast ink from the lines and heads. Mine had set up a while and I ended up taking to a service shop because the Chromablast ink had hardened to a point the cleaning solution and routines in the printer couldn't unclog. Hopefully, you won't have that extra step. Anyway, once the lines are flushed with the cleaning solution, then put the Multi-ink cartridges in and run.
I really do like the Multi-RIP software. I'm doing screen printing positives, transfers and sublimation from the same printer. For my shop, and our work mix, I've been very pleased with the ink and with this set up.
By the way, Multi-RIP has some great tutorials on their website to tell you how to use is and set up the options in the RIP. You might check that out first before deciding on the RIP.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for the kind words Mark. We try really hard to make using the software as easy as possible and the screen videos found at www.multirip.com/faq.html have been a great resource for us. I am glad you find them useful.
Barabara,
There are two different things that you will need to think about when making the switch: software and inks. First off, which software do you currently run to drive your hybrid? The reason why this is important is some hybrid software programs limit you to specific inks. The MultiRIP hybrid software allows you to use either ArTainium or SubliJet IQ sublimation inks and ChromaBlast (light only transfers) or MultINK (light / dark transfers and film positives) inks. So, you will need to get the correct software program loaded on your computer that will match up to the inks you want to use. Each software program is a little different and can give you different colors depending on how the color management is done. I encourage you to try the trial version of MultiRIP (fully functionable, but prints a watermark on your design) to see how the colors look out of MultiRIP compared to the other hybrid softwares. You can download the trial version here - Download a free trial version of MultiRIP Hybrid & MultiRIP GP dtg RIP Software. To my knowledge, MultiRIP is the only hybrid software that provides true ICC profiles built-in for the majority of sublimation substrates. Watch this video to see the different sublimation profiles that come with MultiRIP:
The second thing you will need to do is change the inks out. The above post already goes through the steps of flushing the lines to remove the exisiting inks and then load the new ink in and get it to the print head. To flush the old ink out, prime the lines with the new ink... you might want to consider using a program like Printer Jockey that will allow you to print from just the 4-channels of ink you want to remove and save your sublimation ink. Either way you do it, you are probably going to either purchase a new waste tank or get a chip resetter and replace the absorbant pad due to the amount of ink that will be spit into the waste tank.
Now, let's clear some things up about the wasted ink rumor that is flying around about hybrid printers. The rumor is the negative thing about a hybrid is if you print from more on one side of ink, then it would cost you more in ink in the long-term then running two separate printers. This is false. Does the printer spit ink from all 8-channels periodically when printing? ABSOLUTELY! This is a function of ALL Epson printers (dye sub, dtg, ink transfers, film positive, photo, hybrids,...) as it is built into the Epson firmware - which no driver or RIP can control. So if you have two 8-color printers (which means you have two printers to maintain - keeping the nozzles all firing), then you have two different printers that are going to spit ink out of all their channels periodically. Thus, your wasted ink from two printers can exceed 200% more if you run two different printers depending on how challenging it is to keep the ink flowing for that specific printer. The only reason why this became even noticeable (because all the manufacturers and distributors have known about this for a long time) is because we now have 2 different inks in the printer and you can watch how fast the ink goes into the waste tank. In the past, decorators just assumed that all the ink was going down on to their substrate - which is not the case. If you don't believe what I am saying (because I am the person that came up with the concept of MultiRIP), then ask any Epson based direct-to-garment owner that has a white ink in their printer and prints more CMYK. Same concept applies as no one other than Epson can control the firmware. The fact that Barabara prints more dye sub than heat transfers means that she is spiting 4-channels of lower cost ink (ChromaBlast is $110 compared to sublimation $137 to $149) which is saving her some money than spitting all 8-channels of the higher cost sublimation ink. So running a hybrid that allows you to purchase a larger printer (48X0) that has less maintenance issues in general compared to a smaller printer (I started off with a 1280 and R1800 printer with bulk feed - what a pain-in-the-#@@ they were), will save you money not having to invest in additional ink and spits less ink than running two different printers... shows that a hybrid is saving you money!
Since I like to provide people with options, the alternative option you have as well is to pull out the ChromaBlast inks and putting cleaning cartridges into those slots. This will mean that you will no longer have a hybrid and you will not be able to print cotton shirts. However, it will still allow you to use the 4880 printer with only investing in 4 sublimation cartridges and the cleaning cartridges are much cheaper. Then you can decide later on if you want to go back to a hybrid solution or not. Either way, there is no need to go to an 8-color system and invest in around $600 of additional sublimation ink.
Sorry for the long-winded rant. Just wanted to clarify some things up. Best wishes in whatever decision you decide to go with.
Some of the more technologically literate here may provide another solution, but I did buy and start using the "Multi-RIP" RIP software. From the printer/ink standpoint, they recommend using the cleaning cartridges to flush the Chromablast ink from the lines and heads. Mine had set up a while and I ended up taking to a service shop because the Chromablast ink had hardened to a point the cleaning solution and routines in the printer couldn't unclog. Hopefully, you won't have that extra step. Anyway, once the lines are flushed with the cleaning solution, then put the Multi-ink cartridges in and run.
I really do like the Multi-RIP software. I'm doing screen printing positives, transfers and sublimation from the same printer. For my shop, and our work mix, I've been very pleased with the ink and with this set up.
By the way, Multi-RIP has some great tutorials on their website to tell you how to use is and set up the options in the RIP. You might check that out first before deciding on the RIP.
Hope this helps.
I have been running my Chromablast daily so the ink being dried up shouldn't be a problem. Where did you get the cleaning solution?
I already have the Multi-RIP. I purchased it with the printer. When I was doing my research on the forum before I purchased, it seemed to be the RIP to buy.
My biggest problem is that I'm not all that technologically literate either so everything I do is a learning process. But I guess I won't get bored that way.
Thanks for the kind words Mark. We try really hard to make using the software as easy as possible and the screen videos found at www.multirip.com/faq.html have been a great resource for us. I am glad you find them useful.
Barabara,
There are two different things that you will need to think about when making the switch: software and inks. First off, which software do you currently run to drive your hybrid? The reason why this is important is some hybrid software programs limit you to specific inks. The MultiRIP hybrid software allows you to use either ArTainium or SubliJet IQ sublimation inks and ChromaBlast (light only transfers) or MultINK (light / dark transfers and film positives) inks. So, you will need to get the correct software program loaded on your computer that will match up to the inks you want to use. Each software program is a little different and can give you different colors depending on how the color management is done. I encourage you to try the trial version of MultiRIP (fully functionable, but prints a watermark on your design) to see how the colors look out of MultiRIP compared to the other hybrid softwares. You can download the trial version here - Download a free trial version of MultiRIP Hybrid & MultiRIP GP dtg RIP Software. To my knowledge, MultiRIP is the only hybrid software that provides true ICC profiles built-in for the majority of sublimation substrates. Watch this video to see the different sublimation profiles that come with MultiRIP:
The second thing you will need to do is change the inks out. The above post already goes through the steps of flushing the lines to remove the exisiting inks and then load the new ink in and get it to the print head. To flush the old ink out, prime the lines with the new ink... you might want to consider using a program like Printer Jockey that will allow you to print from just the 4-channels of ink you want to remove and save your sublimation ink. Either way you do it, you are probably going to either purchase a new waste tank or get a chip resetter and replace the absorbant pad due to the amount of ink that will be spit into the waste tank.
Now, let's clear some things up about the wasted ink rumor that is flying around about hybrid printers. The rumor is the negative thing about a hybrid is if you print from more on one side of ink, then it would cost you more in ink in the long-term then running two separate printers. This is false. Does the printer spit ink from all 8-channels periodically when printing? ABSOLUTELY! This is a function of ALL Epson printers (dye sub, dtg, ink transfers, film positive, photo, hybrids,...) as it is built into the Epson firmware - which no driver or RIP can control. So if you have two 8-color printers (which means you have two printers to maintain - keeping the nozzles all firing), then you have two different printers that are going to spit ink out of all their channels periodically. Thus, your wasted ink from two printers can exceed 200% more if you run two different printers depending on how challenging it is to keep the ink flowing for that specific printer. The only reason why this became even noticeable (because all the manufacturers and distributors have known about this for a long time) is because we now have 2 different inks in the printer and you can watch how fast the ink goes into the waste tank. In the past, decorators just assumed that all the ink was going down on to their substrate - which is not the case. If you don't believe what I am saying (because I am the person that came up with the concept of MultiRIP), then ask any Epson based direct-to-garment owner that has a white ink in their printer and prints more CMYK. Same concept applies as no one other than Epson can control the firmware. The fact that Barabara prints more dye sub than heat transfers means that she is spiting 4-channels of lower cost ink (ChromaBlast is $110 compared to sublimation $137 to $149) which is saving her some money than spitting all 8-channels of the higher cost sublimation ink. So running a hybrid that allows you to purchase a larger printer (48X0) that has less maintenance issues in general compared to a smaller printer (I started off with a 1280 and R1800 printer with bulk feed - what a pain-in-the-#@@ they were), will save you money not having to invest in additional ink and spits less ink than running two different printers... shows that a hybrid is saving you money!
Since I like to provide people with options, the alternative option you have as well is to pull out the ChromaBlast inks and putting cleaning cartridges into those slots. This will mean that you will no longer have a hybrid and you will not be able to print cotton shirts. However, it will still allow you to use the 4880 printer with only investing in 4 sublimation cartridges and the cleaning cartridges are much cheaper. Then you can decide later on if you want to go back to a hybrid solution or not. Either way, there is no need to go to an 8-color system and invest in around $600 of additional sublimation ink.
Sorry for the long-winded rant. Just wanted to clarify some things up. Best wishes in whatever decision you decide to go with.
Mark
I went to a trade show looking for something that I could add to my store to bring in more business. I have a gift shop in a teeny tiny town so my foot traffic isn't the greatest.
That is where I saw the 4800 at work. However, I needed more information before I took the plunge and invested the money for all of the equipment, substrates, t-shirts, etc. While trying to get that information, I stumbled across this site. I must say that I believe I was able to make a solid and informed decision as to my purchase because of the information I found here. (Almost too much information sometimes. I think my brain my explode.)
Thanks. I don't know where I would be without somewhere to turn to get answers to my questions.
Not a problem. All you need to do to make the switch since you have the MultiRIP software is do the following:
1. Purchase some cleaning cartridges. Whoever you purchased the printer from should have access to the cleaning cartridges as well. You will also want to purchase a chip resetter for the waste tank or purchase a new waste tank.
2. Pull out the ChromaBlast cartridges and insert the cleaning cartridges. Run some head cleanings till you can see the 4 right ink channels become lighter. Run a nozzle check to see that the colors are lighter.
3. Pull out the cleaning cartridges and insert the MultINK cartridges. Run some head cleanings till you get the ink back into the print head. Print a nozzle check to show the ink is in the print head.
4. Since you have the ChromaBlast profiles installed in your computer, you are going to want to follow the instructions in this video to uninstall the existing profiles:
5. Then you can follow this video to install the MultiRIP Software. Just make sure that you turn off your Antivirus software when installing the software.
That is the instructions for making the switch. Pretty simple process. Let us know if you have any additional questions.
Not a problem. All you need to do to make the switch since you have the MultiRIP software is do the following:
1. Purchase some cleaning cartridges. Whoever you purchased the printer from should have access to the cleaning cartridges as well. You will also want to purchase a chip resetter for the waste tank or purchase a new waste tank.
2. Pull out the ChromaBlast cartridges and insert the cleaning cartridges. Run some head cleanings till you can see the 4 right ink channels become lighter. Run a nozzle check to see that the colors are lighter.
3. Pull out the cleaning cartridges and insert the MultINK cartridges. Run some head cleanings till you get the ink back into the print head. Print a nozzle check to show the ink is in the print head.
4. Since you have the ChromaBlast profiles installed in your computer, you are going to want to follow the instructions in this video to uninstall the existing profiles:
5. Then you can follow this video to install the MultiRIP Software. Just make sure that you turn off your Antivirus software when installing the software.
That is the instructions for making the switch. Pretty simple process. Let us know if you have any additional questions.
Mark
Mark:
After further research it looks like the waste tank has to be replaced when full. Do I need to purchase the waste tank and the chip resetter or is the chip resetter included with the tank?
Also, I have found where I can purchase all the items you suggested except the absorbent pad. I even checked my printer manual and the epson website but there is no mention of an absorbent pad.
I couldn't even locate information of installing the chip resetter. Any help on where to purchase the absorbent pad and information on installing the chip resetter if I purchase one?
Barbara
Last edited by batbb57; September 27th, 2008 at 10:06 PM.
Reason: I have more questions.
Help With Epson 4880 Hybrid 
