11x17 color printer advice

[dotman]

I just picked up a fairly large print job. 2 full color reports, posters and banners, so I think I need a 11x17 color printer for the job. Which one should I get that's not too bad on ink costs and clogging problems that's good for proofing? If you know approx costs as well, that would help.

dot.

[Harbourmaster]

Does it need to be USB and print in black and white too??

[The UnDoug]

I thought the same thing when I saw the word "proofing"

[viaripatti]

I'm a Canon guy all the way. I used to have Epsons but got tired of the AIO cartridges and their constant cleaning cycles and clogging. Canons have had separate cartridges for years.
My Canons(4 x i850s & i9100)also have a removable print head which is handy for squirting Windex® and ammonia on the head and then running the cartridge under the tap until clean as new.

[jdc]

i dont think epsons have had AIO carts in at least 5-6 years

is this printer for proofs?

running some PDFs at kinkos might be a lot cheaper?

are you sure BW proofs wouldnt be OK, and then the final in color?

figure at least $500 for a printer...

i have an epson R1800, and while a great printer, if i was printing a 100 page color proof on it the time might kill me. of course, i also have a Xerox 7300 to take care of that... @ 36PPM i never wait...

[mattkime]

Epson has solved their clogging problems and never really had them in their pro lines anyway.

Epson has a pretty good lock on the high end photo market due to better stability. Further, they have a more consistent line of printers, keeping the inks the same between sizes.

if those issues aren't as important, HP and canon also have very nice offerings.

[dotman]

I suppose I could print b&w's and get a final proof at the local copy shop. Maybe I should just go that way. If I did get one, would the r1800 be the one to get. Foolish or even possible to use third party ink with it?

dot.

[jdc]

R1800 replaced by the R1900 now -- as for 3rd party ink -- i dont think they carry it -- carts are "chipped"

you can get "remanufactured" carts for a few bucks less

outta curiosity, are they expecting hard copy proofs? is this a big company with their own color laser printers? send them PDFs and have them print it for them selves - just bring a B/W copy for yourself...

[mattkime]

if this printer will be doing a lot of work then it might be a good idea to get a bulk ink system.

[dotman]

I think PDF's for them will be fine. just out of curiousity, the r1400 is $289 at newegg. Is this printer even worth considering?

I just thought it might be nice to occasionaly print one off, but as mentioned, probably not essential. Besides, they're in CA and I'm in the midwest, so I'm sure PDF's will be fine. They even want to use their own printer out there.

dot.