Digital BW, The Print

Martin,

Cone's RIP is a software RIP and no, you don't need a hardware RIP.  But, as
you pointed out, you do need a PC, and yes, if you're Mac only, that'll set
you back another $2000 or so.

Sorry about the confusion regarding the printers.  I meant that I see no
difference in quality amongst the 1160, 3000, and the 7000 output.

Regarding the price/performance issue, given that the print quality is the
same from the 13" printer as it is from the 24" printer, the jump in price
for the extra width is a very big one.  Is it worth it, probably not, but
what can you do?  If you only occasionally need the larger output, then it's
certainly wiser to have them printed elsewhere - call me, I'm cheap <g>.

Not that it's any consolation, but the jump in price to go from 13" output
to wide-format color can be even a harder pill to swallow.  The fact that
Cone supplies the profiles for his inks with a number of papers is a
substantial cost and energy saver.  I'm too embarrassed to say what I spent
for color management hardware and software.  Everybody who knows me thinks
I'm nuts, spending what I have on my hobby.  What can I say, I'm obsessed.

Cheers,

Ron

  Thanks for the correction on the Piezo Pro24 pricing. It is currently
  $2,130 on their website. I did not realize that it included a RIP (a
  software RIP I assume and not hardware?) I was under the impression
  the Epson X2 Fiery RIP or third party hardware RIP was required. (I
  did leave out the issue for Mac users of needing to purchase some
  sort of PC to drive it.)

  I was a little confused by your last comment, "BTW, I also use the
  1160 and the 3000 for Piezography. There's no difference in print
  quality with the printers I have." Were you just referring to the
  1160 and 3000 being equal in quality or was the 7000 also included in
  that assessment?

  Other than the ability to print larger, how do you rate the
  price/performance return of spending the extra $4,200 over the $1,200
  to $1,500 spent for a regular Piezo with CIS?

  Thanks,
  Martin




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