[Crazy Tharun]

We are a in the process of deciding to get into the screen printing business. I am researching equipment and am wondering about the best printer to get to print transparencies . I have heard the epson 1400 is the best. We will be printing designs to go on youth t-shirts. Is the epson printer by itself ok or do we need any other brands ?

I want the printer which is dedicated to print only transparencies in better quality.

I know about this topic there are many threads in the forum, but I want to know which is best in todays world (2014).

After reading many threads in forum some people mentioned about rip software (acurip), I really don't have any idea on this. Since I am new to this business any help on this will appreciate.

Need experts advice before purchasing.......

Thank you,

 

[PatWibble]

Epson 1400 is more than good enough to start with, you could probably get away with less if you are on a tight budget.
Any Epson printer using 'Claria' dye based ink will produce simple transparencies for text or spot colour work.

Claria ink, along with other good quality dye based inks, have good uv filtering properties and you will not need to fill all the colour cartridges with black ink. Don't confuse opacity (blackness) with uv filtering ( sunglasses are transparent and they block 100% uv light!). The 1400 is far too good a printer to spoil with just black ink.

Rip software is mainly only needed if printing CMYK or simulated process printing. Hopefully you will ultimately progress to this kind of printing, but it is an unnecessary expense at this stage.

 

[Crazy Tharun]

Epson 1400 is more than good enough to start with, you could probably get away with less if you are on a tight budget.
Any Epson printer using 'Claria' dye based ink will produce simple transparencies for text or spot colour work.

Claria ink, along with other good quality dye based inks, have good uv filtering properties and you will not need to fill all the colour cartridges with black ink. Don't confuse opacity (blackness) with uv filtering ( sunglasses are transparent and they block 100% uv light!). The 1400 is far too good a printer to spoil with just black ink.

Rip software is mainly only needed if printing CMYK or simulated process printing. Hopefully you will ultimately progress to this kind of printing, but it is an unnecessary expense at this stage.

Hi pat,

thanks for the reply its really good info. I live in india and here I don't find Epson 1400 or 1430 any good products for printing transparencies, normal Epson office printers available here.

So I am really worried how to print transparencies,
any suggestions ?

 

[sarvdeep73]

Go for 1390 all black.

 

[Crazy Tharun]

Go for 1390 all black.

Hi thanks for the reply, have you worked with Epson 1390 ? its good for transparencies ? as I said before I want a dedicated printer for transparencies. I hope Epson 1390 will work.........

 

[Jaenes]

I use a epson 7800.... got it from ebay for a very good price. I use matt black ink. It feels like you can burn for hours and the stencil washes out like a dream!
You don't need a rip..... photoshop does the job. Sure with a rip the process is a little quicker but photoshop works just great.

 

[Crazy Tharun]

I use a epson 7800.... got it from ebay for a very good price. I use matt black ink. It feels like you can burn for hours and the stencil washes out like a dream!
You don't need a rip..... photoshop does the job. Sure with a rip the process is a little quicker but photoshop works just great.

Hi Jaenes thanks for the reply, what is the price of Epson 7800 ? in which country you living ? as of now I am worried about the printer...because whatever the printers are advised by our fellow members is not available in my country(India). will check about this one. do you have any other suggestions....?

 

[Jaenes]

i paid 600€ inkl. 12 ink cartridges. You can also look for Epson 4800 and so on.... i prefer roll feed printers.

 

[Crazy Tharun]

i paid 600€ inkl. 12 ink cartridges. You can also look for Epson 4800 and so on.... i prefer roll feed printers.

Hey guys thanks for the reply, I required your help to finalise my printer for printing transparencies, as Epson 1400 is not available in my country(india) so many of them are advised to go for Epson Stylus Photo 1390. so i need your inputs on this printer. plz help me guys.......



thanking you,

 

[Jaenes]

Go with a newer model, workforce or something like this. Look up the ryonet homepage for the film output kits.

 

[PatWibble]

Go with a newer model, workforce or something like this. Look up the ryonet homepage for the film output kits.

Different territories have different models available to them.
Epsons range here in Europe is vastly different to the US range. Not better or worse. Just different.
Maybe the 1390 is still current in India, if so the OP should stick with that.

 

[Jaenes]

http://www.epson.co.in/epson_india/...es/large_format/large_format_list.page?id=3-1

3885 would be my choice

 

[Crazy Tharun]

Hi friends here in india Epson 1400 is not available, so i am planning to buy Epson Stylus Photo 1390, what is your feedback guys ? and it is good for halftone printing ? i am posting a link for this printer please check it guys, and let me know is there problem for printing transparencies in this printer,

http://www.epson.co.in/epson_india/printers_and_all_in_ones/inkjet/product.page?product_name=Epson_Stylus_Photo_1390

i request fellow members to check this link once because as you guys experienced with the screen printing process you will get to know once you see the technical specifications.

Thank You,

 

[Jaenes]

Again.... Buy a 3885! Because this printer is good for bw photos films will work awesome too. Beside this, the cartridges are bigger... So your ink costs will go down. I had a 1400 Epson.... I didn't like it.

 

[Crazy Tharun]

Again.... Buy a 3885! Because this printer is good for bw photos films will work awesome too. Beside this, the cartridges are bigger... So your ink costs will go down. I had a 1400 Epson.... I didn't like it.

Hi Jaenes thanks for the reply, you checked that link ? so its not good ? okay will check the 3885 and let you know.......

ThankQ

 

[PatWibble]

Hi friends here in india Epson 1400 is not available, so i am planning to buy Epson Stylus Photo 1390, what is your feedback guys ?

Thank You,

The 1390 is the predecessor of the 1400. In truth there is probably very little difference - maybe a software upgrade but probably not enough else to make much noticeable difference.

Do you need an A3 printer, or do you need an A2 one? A3 is usually big enough for t-shirt printing (13" x 17").

The 3885 is an A2 printer. It costs 76,000Rs (list). It uses Ultrachrome pigment inks, which I find more problematic when printing on film.

The 1390 is an A3 printer. It costs 22,000Rs (list).

The 3885 is possibly a better all round printer, but is larger than you will probably need. At 3 1/2 times the price you would be buying a lot more printer than you need.

 

[Crazy Tharun]

The 1390 is the predecessor of the 1400. In truth there is probably very little difference - maybe a software upgrade but probably not enough else to make much noticeable difference.

Do you need an A3 printer, or do you need an A2 one? A3 is usually big enough for t-shirt printing (13" x 17").

The 3885 is an A2 printer. It costs 76,000Rs (list). It uses Ultrachrome pigment inks, which I find more problematic when printing on film.

The 1390 is an A3 printer. It costs 22,000Rs (list).

The 3885 is possibly a better all round printer, but is larger than you will probably need. At 3 1/2 times the price you would be buying a lot more printer than you need.

Hi PatWibble thank you so much for the detailed info., your comparison is right even i don't find major difference in both 1390 and 1400, few questions for you regard this...........

1. 13*17 inches is enough for print large size t-shirts ?

2. when you checked the 1390, the inks came from Epson is good for transparencies or i need to replace the inks (all black) to get smooth and soft transparencies ?

and finally do you see any difficulties in 1390 for better transparencies and in future if want to use a rip software for this model, which rip software is compatible ?


sorry for lot of questions, i am a newbie to this business, i hope you understood.


Thank You,

 

[Jaenes]

For the all-black setting you need accurip for example. Check on their website if your printer is supported.

As mentioned above regarding to the shirt size I don't like just the A3 plus format. For me it's 2 cm too small in every direction

 

[PatWibble]

1. 13*17 inches is enough for print large size t-shirts ?

2. when you checked the 1390, the inks came from Epson is good for transparencies or i need to replace the inks (all black) to get smooth and soft transparencies ?

and finally do you see any difficulties in 1390 for better transparencies and in future if want to use a rip software for this model, which rip software is compatible

13 x 17 is larger than you will need for most large chest prints. If you were offering 'all over' prints then it would not be big enough, but then you would an need an A1 printer and also need larger drying equipment, so that is probably not a factor.
Unless you think you will need to print a lot of 4/5 xl shirts then 13 x 17 is big enough ( I have a circle of Punjabi friends here in the Uk, and they don't appear to be as fat as us westerners tend to be! lol).

I use my 1400 with either stock Ink, or good quality third party ink. On good quality film I have never needed to use an 'all black' system.

Yes the printer will be good enough for better transparencies and compatible with a most rips. Just check that any rip or separation software supports your model.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[PatWibble]

As mentioned above regarding to the shirt size I don't like just the A3 plus format. For me it's 2 cm too small in every direction

I agree that the size is a bit restrictive on larger shirts, but its down to how many 3/4/5xl's will you need to print, and if the customer will pay for larger screens. In the UK its hard to find anything larger than 2xl unless you want it in black or white.

Unfortunately the price jump from A3+ (13") to A2 (17") is considerable enough to make it a bit of a luxury.