Best A3 printer for CraftArtist Professional software

[johannsmith]

@iscom, how would the 'Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II' stack up against your printers?

[iscom]

Originally Posted by johannsmith @iscom, how would the 'Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II' stack up against your printers?

I would say the Pro 9000 is a far better printer but having said that, I think you have to take into account not only the cost of the Pro 9000 but the running cost i.e. the cost of replacing the 9 cartridges and how often you are going to use it. I only use my A3 printer a few times a year where as I use my A4 most every day and my HP A0 (36”) wide printer a few times a month and with the exception of my HP 3-1 Wi-Fi Fax printer and my Samsung CLP 501 laser printer I refill the ink cartridges myself buying the ink in bulk

Maybe it’s just a coincidence that I have been thinking about buying a Cameo Silhouette but the company I was hoping to buy from don’t sell them anymore . At the moment I am building a new PC so not such a priority

[Meg]

Originally Posted by johannsmith @all, I've bought my wife the Cameo Silhouette and need a decent A3+ printer. I'm looking at getting the Epson Stylus 1410 (1430) or a Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II. Which will be my better option for cost of ownership and using the CISS ink systems, as both support the CISS ink systems etc. I might've stated things incorrectly but just need a simple answer from the good veterans of this site :-) I'm in S.Africa and thus cannot directly buy from US/AU/UK type stores. But can buy both of these above locally. Eagerly awaitng your replies. Thanks, Johann Smith Cape Town, S.Africa

I can only repeat that I am very satisfied with both my canon printers. I have the Canon pro 9500 as my A3 printer.

I have used Epson in the past and have been satisfied with them, except I think the cartridges always needed more print head cleaning than the canon, which meant they used up the ink faster.

[johannsmith]

Thanks @iscom and @Meg, The Canon it is then. She will be printing quite regularly. As we don't have the printer yet it's hard to say how many times she will print. But I can assume quite a bit, more than 20 copies a week. So printer ink will be the next thing to consider, I am just getting my head around the CIS or CISS and the best inks to use as refill for the Canon.

If we have to we will buy ink from overseas to match/compliment the printer.

Thank you for the kind and quick responses.

The Cameo is definately a delight for her. She will be doing her photoshop course as well via www.jessicasprague.com whom will be hosting a free (quick start) in photoshop from June 18th. So I want everything in place for her to really bring her ideas to life.

Thanks and regards,

Johann Smith
Cape Town, S.Africa

[Al Rogers]

I've always used the Epson Stylus Photo series for photographs and DTP and the quality is unbeatable. I believe the Canons are slightly faster, but this isn't a consideration for me. The ink can be pricey if you stick with the manufacturer's cartridges but compatible inks are readily available.

The A3 Epson Stylus Photo 1500W was recently voted the "best expert photo printer" by TIPA, the Technical Image Press Association. If it gets photos right, your CA files will print out a treat. It's a bit expensive, though, at between £220 and £300, depending on where you buy it.

Oddly, the only area where the Epsons lose a couple of points is in printing small typefaces in black and white on plain paper. Correspondence looks good enough but, if you put 9pt type or smaller type under the magnifying glass, you can see a little raggedness.


Al

[johannsmith]

Thanks Al, We will consider an Epson at a later stage. Hopefully the price would've come down by then.

Regards,
Johann Smith

[ggrussell]

I've owned the Epson R1800 and like others, I felt it cleaned the heads too much. Used a lot of ink. However, I did like the Epson drivers because they can use custom ICC in the driver. I own Coloright PrintFix Pro to create my own paper ICC files.

I sold the Epson and bought the Canon Pixma 9000Pro Mark II. The US version has the CD/DVD label printing disabled, but I found a way around that. The prints are comparable to Epson quality-wise. I was a bit disappointed that the Canon drivers will not accept custom ICCs. I did contact Canon support. Just have to wait to see if they release new drivers.

Both printers have CISS bulk ink cartridges available. I've been using bulk ink for years with very good results. I use the Canon strictly for image prints.

The only advantage the Epson series has is print size which for the R1800 was 13 x 44 inches (roll paper). The Canon max size is 13x19. Not a big deal for me, but Epson can do larger panorama shots.

[JanW87]

Hi again
It's hard to say which would be the best printer as everybody has their own favourites and most of us can't do a direct comparison. Good luck in your search, I'm sure whatever you plump for your wife will be delighted with your kindness!

[mhk1058]

Originally Posted by JanW87 Hi I have the 1400 and Craft Artist Professional. Sorry I haven't uploaded to Daisy Trail - too busy making invitations for daughter's wedding (CA of course) and getting photos ready for an exhibition (Photoplus 5 and CA photolab). I got my printer adapted for the CISS system, complete with a set of inks - 6x 100ml bottles from InkExpress for less than £300 if that's any help. Replacement bottles work out at about £36 a set, delivered and I can get hundreds of A4 photoprints out of a set.. I printed our camera club calendars this year, 60 calendars in all and didn't use a full set of bottles for that lot.

Sorry to wake an old thread but did you spend £300 on the CIS system alone? Seems like a lot.

[iscom]

Originally Posted by johannsmith @all, I've bought my wife the Cameo Silhouette and need a decent A3+ printer. ' '

I have at last ordered a Cameo Silhouette and it should be delivered on Monday, But I downloaded the software so that I practice before it arrives, I am not sure if to upgrade the software to the Silhouette Studio® Designer Edition but it does not say what advantages it has over the standard version.
In the mean time I have been using PPX6 to make and convert files that can be used with the Silhouette.

[JanW87]

Hi, sorry I was a bit unclear on cost. The printer ready fitted with the system and a full set of inks (6x100ml bottles) came in at just under £300.