Is the Epson R800 the only choice for archival printing?

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googleplex
Dec 17, 2004
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My wife is an artist and wants to use the Epson R800 for its ability to do archival printing. Can other other printer do this?

thanks!
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Philip Procter
Dec 17, 2004
On 16 Dec 2004 18:30:45 -0800, "googleplex" wrote:

My wife is an artist and wants to use the Epson R800 for its ability to do archival printing. Can other other printer do this?
thanks!

What do you consider "archival"? Do you reqally mean totally, museum quality permanent? If so, I doubt any printer qualifies, as the papers used are plastic based. If you mean 100 year, then I think the Epsons are notably good in dark storage, but I don’t know about under glass. There may be rsidual solvents.
B
bhilton665
Dec 17, 2004
From: "googleplex"

My wife is an artist and wants to use the Epson R800 for its ability to do archival printing. Can other other printer do this?

The Epsons using the Ultrachrome ink set are the best option. The 2200 is the consumer model and prints on 13" wide paper (I think the R800 is letter sized only). There are three Pro models which have more accurate ICC profile support and allow for larger prints — the 4000 prints 17" wide, 7600 prints 24" wide and the 9600 prints 44" wide. I have a 2200 and a 4000 and they are excellent, especially with the better watercolor or fine art papers. The R800 does a better job on glossy paper but most artists are printing on fine art papers.

These are not archival in the dye-transfer or black-white sense but they use pigment inks and have estimated print life ranging from say 50 – 100+ years, depending on display conditons. Here’s a table showing the Epson 4000 print longevity estimates, for example (the other three use the same inks):

http://www.wilhelm-research.com/epson/SP4000.html

Here are the estimates for the R800 inks:

http://www.wilhelm-research.com/epson/R800.html

Get the R800 if you just want small prints, get one of the bigger ones for larger prints though.

Bill
B
bhilton665
Dec 17, 2004
From: Philip Procter

What do you consider "archival"? Do you reqally mean totally, museum quality permanent? If so, I doubt any printer qualifies, as the papers used are plastic based.

The pigment ink Epsons print quite nicely on watercolor and fine art papers that are 100% cotton … for example Arches Infinity Smooth paper is 100% cotton, pH-neutral, acid-free, lignin-free, and OBA-free. Cost $6 a sheet for 17×22" sheets but prints beautifully … similar papers I’ve printed on with the Epson 4000 include Hahnemeuhle Photo Rag and Epson’s Ultrasmooth Fine Art (and there are several others I haven’t tried).

Bill
DD
David Dyer-Bennet
Dec 17, 2004
"googleplex" writes:

My wife is an artist and wants to use the Epson R800 for its ability to do archival printing. Can other other printer do this?

Well, the Epson 2200 and the Epson 4000.

I’m assuming that you’re using "archival" as short-hand for "lasts long enough to put it in the ballpark for artistic prints", rather than anything absolute and nonsensical :-).

Or any of a number of Epson printers like the 1280 using third-party inksets.

Those printers produce prints that last a *lot* longer than conventional chromogenic materials; and perhaps even into the range of silver-gelatin B&W. According to accelerated testing; which is black art with a LOT of science mixed in.
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Tom Scales
Jan 1, 2005
Others have mentioned them, but if she’s an artist, the limitations of 8 1/2 x 11 seem large.

For me, the best value for the money was the Epson 7600. Prints amazing 24 x 36 inch prints.

Tom
"googleplex" wrote in message
My wife is an artist and wants to use the Epson R800 for its ability to do archival printing. Can other other printer do this?
thanks!
M
MOP
Jan 2, 2005
"Tom Scales" wrote in message
Others have mentioned them, but if she’s an artist, the limitations of 8 1/2 x 11 seem large.

For me, the best value for the money was the Epson 7600. Prints amazing 24 x 36 inch prints.

Tom
"googleplex" wrote in message
My wife is an artist and wants to use the Epson R800 for its ability to do archival printing. Can other other printer do this?
thanks!

Yes this a fantastic printer I have had mine for over a year and it is fantasitc if not a little expensive to buy in the first place. MOP

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