Printer Ink Set Types..... 8 vs 5 vs 10

I did search.

I have an Epson Stylus Photo 2200 printer I have had for 22 years or so. It is built like a tank and still works GREAT. I have been able to buy ink for it fairly reliably until recently. Epson discontinued that product line and as a result the ink is hard to find, but I did find InkOwl today and ordered the refillable cartridges and bulk ink. So I am set for now. I can buy 120 ml bottles of ink in a set of 8 for $109. The cartridges run about $28 each (when I can find them) so about $225 (I don't know how many ml each holds? 20? 30?). I wish I found the InkOwl (or similar before LOL). So as long as the 2200 is working I am not yet going to buy a new one.

That printer uses Photo Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Light Cyan, Light Magenta, Light Black and Matte Black.

I have no issues with the prints I make (certainly not perfect) and I do send prints to "Walmart" for cheap (but very good) prints when I want bulk. Funny it has a mount for roll paper and an autocutter which I have not used in years.

I started again looking for a replacement for this printer and just curious about thoughts are on the newer ink sets which have say:

Photo Black, Black (aka copier type Black), Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Grey (Epson ET8550)

vs

Cyan, Light Cyan, Vivid Magenta, Vivid Light Magenta, Yellow, Gray, Light Gray, Violet, Photo Black and Matte Black (Epson P900/P700).

The ET has refillable tanks so getting ink should ?never be an issue 20 years from now, like when I'm 79. LOL. The P900 has larger capacity cartridges (vs the P700) but a full set (10 inks, 50 ml each) is about $450 and should be available until I am no longer 'available.' You know Dead. Of course the P900 can printer much bigger prints too. Like that idea.

I'm not concerned so much over the price really but the print quality.

My guess is the 10 color SureColor Ultrachrome will be better......

Yes, I know sending them out to print is probably the best option, but that becomes less of a hobby, now doesn't it.

Just learning....

Mike

I have always taken the approach that when I want large prints, send them out, especially if I know they use Fuji Crystal paper to make optical output, rather than inkjet print. So I buy and use very inexpensive (<$100) inkjet printers primarily for document printing/web page copy...and rarely print a photo of my own.

So that leaves me uneducated about seeing output from same image, printed to 5-ink printers vs. many-ink printers...is it really 'worth it' for the fancy inkjet?!

And having worn out (or broken) three inexpensive printers in 20 years, I would have worn out or broken a lot more money, had I been using the many-ink printers (and have quite a few left over brand new ink cartridges that no one wants to buy, even for close-to-nothing prices!)

Our family workhorse printer is a Brother's MFC-L3750CDW color laser Jet. I get toner for it once a year and it's about $500 for the four extra capacity cartridges. I wrap them as Christmas Gifts. LOL. I print really crappy photos on it LOL.on plain paper. Maybe I'll try some photo paper in it for kicks.

I have used 'in expensive' in jet printers, but they have such small capacity cartridges they are not worth it. I switched to laser printers for that, and got a couple of the Brother's black and white printers (HL-L2300D) for daily tasks.

I had three Epson printers XP 830 (scanner, fax, etc), gave one away, one is in a box, and the other I use for the SCANNER function. The one we had in our kitchen would have dry ink and I have to use 1/4 of the ink unclogging the heads weekly. PITA. Yes, over heat duct LOLOLOLOL. My bad I know. The Brother's does not mind the 'heat'

Mike

Wilt wrote in post #19461950
and have quite a few left over brand new ink cartridges that no one wants to buy, even for close-to-nothing prices!

Canon Pro 100 carts ?

lacogada wrote in post #19462120
Canon Pro 100 carts ?

Niet

Wilt wrote in post #19462208
Niet

bedankt