[tkster95]

I really need to upgrade my output printing situation. I'm currently stuck with a 8.5 x 14 max and I have to triple up transparencies to make the image dark enough to burn an image. I came across a used epson 7600 with "best color rip software" (i'm told the printer works but its been sitting for 2.5 years and needs a good cleaning) for about $750. If I got this set up and added all black ink tanks would it be ideal for screen printing? I use a mac and i'm not sure if the software is platform specific... are rip softwares specific like that? I'm afraid if i get it i may need to get a new rip software program and i can't afford that right now. What do you think? Would it be a good fit for screen printing?

Another question I had: Could i set up a printer with all black ink tanks to print transparencies... then switch out the all black inks to different color ink for other sorts of jobs I could potentially do with a printer like that (posters, pictures etc)? I'd like to use the printer for other jobs but not sure if black ink would stay in the lines or something, and have to be cleaned out every time... wasting alot of ink.

Thanks for any help... i'm new to all this stuff... but learning alot as I go.

 

[JeridHill]

The printer is a good price. The 7600 is still supported by the Mac, even up to 10.7 so you should be ok there. If you wanted to use the system for other prints, you wouldn't want to convert it to an all black system. I believe the 7600 had a feature to print only black ink, so a RIP might only be necessary if you are wanting halftones. You can download the manual off of Epson's website and see if it works for you. For it sitting that long, I would want to fire it up and test it before I made a purchase. You might have to replace the print head and possibly the ink lines.

 

[ScreenFoo]

"BESTColor RIP" is not a screen printing RIP--it's made for people who are proofing. Unless you're getting into offset/flatstock printing, and investing in a serious calibration setup, it probably won't be worth much to you. Even so, at $750, if it's in good shape, that still sounds like a reasonable price for the printer, and you could get some good color-correction functionality out of the RIP software for posters or other full color work. Keep in mind, it'll run you about half what they're asking for the printer for a set of inks at retail.

I'd definitely agree with Jerid--take it for a test spin and make sure it's in good shape--as well as keeping it full color if you want to do full color.

 

[tkster95]

Cool, I appreciate the info guys. I wonder if the printing only black inks option on the printer would produce a dark enough image for burning a screen.

I just found another printer 9600 with pretty much same situation. Said he would take $600 for it. Needs a good cleaning but it works, i'm told. I want to believe the sellers, but since i've found both printers off craigslist I need to be prepared for the worst case scenario. If say I got a 9600 and had to replace the print heads, and lines how much would it cost? And could there be any other potential problems used printers like this are susceptible to? I'm also told a technician would have to replace the print heads and what not to make sure their calibrated and coded correctly or something. At $175 an hour their work isn't cheap. I tried calling epson and there service technicians to find out more about cost of potential repairs but they weren't much help.. seeing that they were trying to sell me a new printer as opposed to buying a used one. I wish i knew more about printers so when checking out the printer I could foresee what could be a potential problem. It seems like a good deal... and i know its a lot more printer i need for screen printing but it would open up alot of new doors. Has anyone every bought a used printer and had to spend a heap load fixing it up? Thanks for any help.

 

[JeridHill]

I was given an Epson 10000 that hadn't been used for a couple of years. It used the dye inks. I figured I'd be in it for some $$ to get it up and running. Fired it up, did a nozzle test and nothing. Did a head clean and got a few nozzles, did another and was almost there, did one last nozzle test and had perfect nozzles.

There's hope.

If I had to choose between the two, it would be the 9600. Essentially it's the same printer, but the 9600 is 44" wide whereas the 7600 is 24".

 

[ScreenFoo]

Honestly if you think you'd have to replace the print head, I'd pass and look at getting a new one. You could buy a brand new 4900 for way less than it's likely going to cost to get either of those printers, a new head, new lines, and work done on it. If you can get good prints out of it before you plop down cash, it could be a great deal either way. Bring a loupe.

 

[tkster95]

Thanks guys... unfortunately I don't think i'll be able to test it out before I buy. Theres no ink in it. Its on the showroom of a reputable printing company, located inside of a mall so I'm trusting the seller here that it works. He said a few times all i'll have to do is clean out the nozzles. He also said he'd take less than $600 in order to sell.. thats for a 9600... so its tough to beat even if I do have to put some money into it.

The reason I want to go with the used 9600 as opposed to the new 4900 is because I love the idea of having the capabilities to print such huge prints. I plan on marketing myself as a large format print shop as well. Was thinking about doing such things as posters, menus for restaurants, fliers etc. One question... If i set up the 9600 with normal colors but switch out the black ink with blackmax ink sold by ryonet... then use rip software to draw from only the black ink tanks when printing transpancies. Would I also be able to use that blackmax ink for normal prints? Or would I have to switch back to the other black, clean out the line, and waste alot of ink? Could the blackmax even produce a better full color print?

Another question... haha sorry guys, just kind of nervous about this purchase. I also ran across a 7800 for double the price of the 9600 but it has almost a full ink set, and its fully functional. Is the 7800 with the new K3 inks that much better than the 600 series inks? And since it has three blacks... would I be able to dark enough transpancies with out a rip program? Ugh... decisions, decisions.

 

[tkster95]

Hi guys... heres a update on my situation. Was hoping for some input.

I went ahead and bought a used epson pro 9600. Finally got the ink in the mail today and did a test print... out of the 8 colors: 6 had pretty broken up lines, and two colors didn't show up at all... Did a "clean nozzle" and a second test print: little improvement in the 6 colors that came out, and still had two colors non existent. Second clean with same results. Did a Power Clean... 6 colors were near perfect, one color still non existent, and one color barely started to come through... out of the ten or so lines in the test print matrix about two showed up. Ran a second Power Clean and....... right after, told me maintenance tank was full. I can't even do another test to see if i got any improvement. I've already ordered a spare maintenance tank and should arrive in the mail thursday.

My question is... do you think theres any hope with the printer or do you think its a dud? Also, is there anything I can do to clean it and prepare it in the mean time? I used que tips to clean all around the capping stating and soaked the capping pad in windex and am currently letting it sit like that. I did this prior to test printing as well.

 

[TableSyrup]

There are reset softwares out there. Here's one, not sure if it works with your printer, but you could check:
SSC Service Utility for Epson Stylus Printer.

There are others as well...

They reset the counters.

You can probably just run this joker and be back in business

Good luck!

 

[fitnesswear]

I use Acurip with my Epson 1400. Works great. Prints veeerrrry black.