Digital BW, The Print

Hello All,

I'm just about to dip my toe into digital B&W printing, and I'm
leaning towards an Epson R200 or R220 with the MIS Ultratone inks.

But I frequently go several (or many) weeks without doing any
printing. I've had two previous Epson printers (a Stylus Photo 780
right now) and head clogging has been a fairly annoying and
ink-consuming problem with both of them under those circumstances.

Anybody have the scoop on potential clogging issues with the R200/R220
when used intermittently?

If it's likely to be a problem, I might opt for an HP 8450 instead, if
it will likely have less of a clogging problem (which I understand is
probably the case). But I don't prefer that option, all else being
equal  (for numerous reasons). 

Any advice, experience reports, or educated guesses would be greatly
appreciated.

Eamon

Eamon,

> I'm just about to dip my toe into digital B&W printing, and I'm
> leaning towards an Epson R200 or R220 with the MIS Ultratone inks.

Go with the R220 if feasible.  There were a few useful changes.

> But I frequently go several (or many) weeks without doing any
> printing...

To avoid problems, just have a set of carts with cleaning fluid in them.
Buying empty carts and bulk cleaning fluid is probably the easiest way to go
in the long run.  Put in the cleaning fluid carts when you're going to be
gone for a few weeks.  Perhaps do a cleaning cycle, but that may not even be
necessary.  Rinse off the outlets of the ink carts, tape the outlets, and
they'll be ready to go when you get back and re-install them.

In general my experience with the R220 is that it's a very easy to maintain
printer -- no serious clogs yet, and I do a lot of ink changing and
experimenting.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com