Paper Use Epson 2100/2200

[billhercus]

Recently purchased Epson 2100 (UK) for, amongst other things, that larger print!

Have most ICC profiles for the 2100/2200, I think, but none for plain 360dpi inkjet paper for the odd routine letter that I still have to write. What do you guys do about that?

Also interested in what paper is used for proofing/tests etc., and what profiles are used. It seems to me that sticking with Epson is probably good but by no means the only answer!

Really looking for some guidlines here before I order paper, A3 (+) A4 and 8"X5" mainly. Also, what about roll paper? Not really cheaper (which surprised me) but for those panoramic stitches ....

How is archival matte used? Yes, I know - archives - but what other uses are popular?

[chris.bailey]

I dont think an ICC profile is needed for plain inkjet paper as you would only print to that in draft so colours will be out anyway.

I use mostly Epson paper (semi-gloss which I like) but have also had success with Olmec (ICI have profiles for the 2100 on their website) both in gloss and satin. The Olmec works out slightly cheaper than the Epson if you buy it in bulk. Most other papers I have tried bleed slightly with the Epson dye Inks.

i tend to draft print using an older HP printer but only because we buy a hundred cartridges for them at a time at work so I get them a lot cheaper.

Archival Matt is strange stuff and you will be very disappointed with prints on it the first few times. I only really use it for B&W pictures mounted behind glass or under acetate in albums, I dont like it for Colour, too much like a newspaper print for my taste.

ps Epsons on line shop is superb for 2100 supplies in the UK and be prepared for laying out £100 on spare cartiridges on a regular basis especially if doing A3's. Its a fantastic printer but its running costs are pretty high.

[billhercus]

Thanks Chris. I shall have a look at Olmec. Appreciate that the common sense route is to use on line printing (I won't be doing that much at A3+) but the hobby is not complete unless you control all stages - it seems to me!

However, cost is always going to be a consideration and on that note have you any experience of Cartex.co.uk? They are selling 2100 compatible cartridges by Eurojet for £4.99 (or a fiver as we used to say!)

[chris.bailey]

I have heard very mixed reports about any of the cheap (er) alternative cartridges for the 2100 so have stuck to Epson originals. The cost is not silly per print but I have found the need to effectivel keep two spares for each colour (landscapes burn yellows, portraits cyan and magenta) which with one in the can makes for a £300 stock of cartiridges. I normally have four or 5 boxes of paper on the go so you end up with £500 of stuff to fees into a £500 printer. It does produce fantastic prints though so this is the price one pays for it.

[billhercus]

Yes, it is true that one gets what one pays for usually but I have been quite pleased with one or 2 alternatives for the Epson 890 - but it uses dye rather than pigment inks - I think!

I've downloaded a couple of ICI profiles for gloss and satin Olmec papers and installed them in the system32/spool/drivers/color directory but they are not coming up in 7.01 (XP Pro).

I would like to try the paper - but not w/o the profiles. May I presume upon your good nature to tell me what may be wrong here?