Large format Printer Upgrade

C

CritPrint

New Member
Hi all,

I have a Designjet Z3200 right now, but I am thinking of upgrading to a faster printer. I've done a bit of homework and quite interested in getting either the Z5200 or Epson 9890, do you all have comments on these 2 machines?

My Z3200 has a gloss enhancer which helps minimising bronzing effect, which one of the Z5200 and Epson 9890 has better control over bronzing? Also... as far as I know, with Epson printers, the print heads kinda goes with the printer... so what happens if the print head fails and if I am outside warranty? So really are the epson machines designed not to last long??

My Z3200 still retails at £2500+ but if I sell it through Trade-in I merely get a few hundred quid which is really a joke even though I have 3 new print heads and 4 new genuine ink cartridges installed... I tried eBay but not with much luck, is there anywhere else I can try selling it?

Many thanks for your help.

Cheers,
Adrian
 
We have a Z5200PS, very pleased with it. Zero break-downs in 18 months.

Can you clarify bronzing - do you mean colour or finish? Not an issue we recognise - what substrate were you using? Never had any issues.
 
Minuteman Press said:
We have a Z5200PS, very pleased with it. Zero break-downs in 18 months.

Can you clarify bronzing - do you mean colour or finish? Not an issue we recognise - what substrate were you using? Never had any issues.
Click to expand...

Hi thanks for your reply.

Bronzing happens especially with pigment ink because of its chemical property (afaik), when you look at the print at a certain angle against a light source, you'll see some colours reflect a bronze colour instead of its original colour. This usually happens on photo paper and not the matt paper. To combat this, the Z3200 added a gloss enhancer to cover on the ink so that to minimise the effect. So if the Z5200 doesn't use gloss enhancer and basically it uses the same ink as Z3200 (HP70), I'm wondering is there a special way for the Z5200 so minimise bronzing. Or are they at an acceptable level?

I used a Canon Pixma pro 9500mk2 and the bronzing is scary!

BTW.. do you happen to know where I can sell the Z3200 apart from eBay??

Cheers,
Adrian
 
CritPrint said:
Hi all,

I have a Designjet Z3200 right now, but I am thinking of upgrading to a faster printer. I've done a bit of homework and quite interested in getting either the Z5200 or Epson 9890, do you all have comments on these 2 machines?

My Z3200 has a gloss enhancer which helps minimising bronzing effect, which one of the Z5200 and Epson 9890 has better control over bronzing? Also... as far as I know, with Epson printers, the print heads kinda goes with the printer... so what happens if the print head fails and if I am outside warranty? So really are the epson machines designed not to last long??

My Z3200 still retails at £2500+ but if I sell it through Trade-in I merely get a few hundred quid which is really a joke even though I have 3 new print heads and 4 new genuine ink cartridges installed... I tried eBay but not with much luck, is there anywhere else I can try selling it?

Many thanks for your help.

Cheers,
Adrian
Click to expand...

What is it that you're looking to print if you don't mind me asking?
 
inspiringprint said:
What is it that you're looking to print if you don't mind me asking?
Click to expand...

Hi,

That will be presentation graphics primarily targeted at students. Architecture, graphics design, photography students, including portfolio. I have an A1 printer now, but Im missing out LOTS of customers due to the need for A0+ presentation panels which goes on the wall.. so I am looking for a printer that does 44" printing.
 
Daft as this will sound given how old the technology is - for what you need I'd source an HP5500 second hand. You'll get one dirt cheap, they print great, and run forever! I've still got a 5000 I bought in 2001 and a 5500 I bought in 2004 and they happily chug away!
 
HudsonDisplayServices said:
Daft as this will sound given how old the technology is - for what you need I'd source an HP5500 second hand. You'll get one dirt cheap, they print great, and run forever! I've still got a 5000 I bought in 2001 and a 5500 I bought in 2004 and they happily chug away!
Click to expand...

Thanks for all your input guys. I'll have a serious think :D
 
I have a canon ipf8300. Prints really nicely, so good that we now do Giclees and always get a good response from our customers. Would recommend 100%. If you have any questions about it let me know.
Cheers,
Adam.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top