[grumpybum]

Hi there,

Could someone please recommend a printer to print positives? Me and my boyfriend are starting to print t shirts and prints. We have all the equipment apart from a inkjet printer. And it's the last piece of the puzzle before we can start printing. I have done a bit of research but I can't seem to decide on one to buy.

We started off wanting to purchase the Epson Stylus 1500w (which is a 1430?) but I just can't find one to buy. Then I read that the newer version of the 1500w is the Epson Workforce 7720. Is this true? Are the workforce Epsons any good for printing positives?

I just want a printer that is good quality and good for a beginner.

Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

 

[PatWibble]

Hi there,

Could someone please recommend a printer to print positives? Me and my boyfriend are starting to print t shirts and prints. We have all the equipment apart from a inkjet printer. And it's the last piece of the puzzle before we can start printing. I have done a bit of research but I can't seem to decide on one to buy.

We started off wanting to purchase the Epson Stylus 1500w (which is a 1430?) but I just can't find one to buy. Then I read that the newer version of the 1500w is the Epson Workforce 7720. Is this true? Are the workforce Epsons any good for printing positives?

I just want a printer that is good quality and good for a beginner.

Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

The 1500w/1430 has been discontinued, so if you find one you will pay a silly price for it. The 1430 was the US version of the 1500w.


The direct replacement for the 1500w is the L1800, which is an eco tank printer - identical internal workings ( except no wifi) - but with an inflated price due to the eco tanks. The downside is that it is only curently available in Asia and parts of Eastern Europe.


The 7720 is a very different printer but will work well enough.


(as long as the printer you choose will print onto film) Ink is more important than the printer. The ink needs to contain a good UV filter so that the film will block out light. Epsons own brand ink is good, but when you get new cartridges there are plenty of cheaper ones that work as well.

 

[grumpybum]

Could you tell me how the 7720 is so different? Yeah I did look at the ecotank printer but thought it was a bit expensive. I am happy to buy a more expensive printer in the future.

Are you saying the 7720 will meet my needs? Can I buy ink which you have suggested?

Thanks for your help!

 

[PatWibble]

Could you tell me how the 7720 is so different? Yeah I did look at the ecotank printer but thought it was a bit expensive. I am happy to buy a more expensive printer in the future.

Are you saying the 7720 will meet my needs? Can I buy ink which you have suggested?

Thanks for your help!

The 1500w is a good quality 6 colour photo printer, and produces very good high resolution pictures up to A3+ size.


The 7720 is a four colour all in one printer/scanner/copier. It is also A3+, but because it is only 4 colours the print quality isn't quite as good when printing full colour photos. It is more than good enough for printing black screen film. The 7720 is a well made printer - it is marketed as a small business printer, so is designed for heavy use. I believe it comes with a 3 year warrenty.


After market ink is readily available - what country are you posting from?

 

[grumpybum]

The 1500w is a good quality 6 colour photo printer, and produces very good high resolution pictures up to A3+ size.


The 7720 is a four colour all in one printer/scanner/copier. It is also A3+, but because it is only 4 colours the print quality isn't quite as good when printing full colour photos. It is more than good enough for printing black screen film. The 7720 is a well made printer - it is marketed as a small business printer, so is designed for heavy use. I believe it comes with a 3 year warrenty.


After market ink is readily available - what country are you posting from?

Hi, thank you very much for your helpful reply.

I would get the 1500w but I can't seem to find it at a reasonable priced or its used. I think it's been discontinued.

I will get the 7720 instead, as it has a warranty. I am from the UK.

Any other tips about inks or transparency films would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[NoXid]

Hi, thank you very much for your helpful reply.

I would get the 1500w but I can't seem to find it at a reasonable priced or its used. I think it's been discontinued.

I will get the 7720 instead, as it has a warranty. I am from the UK.

Any other tips about inks or transparency films would be appreciated.

Thanks

7210 is same thing as 7720 without the doodads, no scanner, etc, so is cheaper.

For printing black films, there is no reason to get one of the expensive 6-color art/photo printers when a 4-color office type printer (7720/7210) can do it just as well. Fewer carts and ink channels to have problems and waste ink cleaning.

 

[825473]

I just bought a 1430 on eBay. I looked at quite a few on eBay before settling on the one I bought as some did not have a power cord or will be for parts only. Be patient, you might come across one. I love the 1430. I was stacking 2 and 3 films to get a usable burned screen and now I get a great first film. Good luck, whichever printer you decide on will definitely be worth it!

 

[PatWibble]

The 7210 is about £30 cheaper than the 7720, and if you don't want a scanner then it will do the same job.


Ink Express sell good quality replacement ink cartridges. https://www.inkexpress.co.uk/


Film is very important. A good quality film designed for screen making will hold way more ink than cheap OHP slides from a stationers, and is well worth the extra money.
Most screen print suppliers will stock something good.