🚀 go-pugleaf

While I'm not a fan of jumping thru the rebate hoop, I will say that Staples is very good concerning rebates. I've gotten rebates at least a half dozen times from them and always for the full amount and in a reasonable amount of time.

I believe that is a very good printer. My R1800 is still going strong and gives great prints.

Q

Thanks for the tip! I was thinking about a new printer and the R1900 was 
on my short list. But that price is too good to pass up so I will be 
picking mine up at the Staples store tomorrow.

I sure hope it's as good as the reviews. After I had a custom profile 
made for my Epson R200 I have been getting very good prints. This 
printer should do much better. (fingers crossed)

John Passaneau

What problems has anyone who owns an R 1900 experienced?

Numerous reviews mention various ink problems including the too-small cartridges; a huge appetite for ink; and cartridges drying up before they are empty.

Is the R1900 still worthwhile � or is it being sold off to clear the way for a newer model with larger ink cartridges?

And if not the R1900, has anyone a better recommendation?

Ann,

Sorry I can't answer about the R1900 as I'm still using an R1800. However, there are a few facts that I'm aware of.

1. The newer printer uses MOST of the same color cartridges as the older R1800.

2. The R1900 has only been out for about a year or so. Usually Epson has a much longer run of their models. That being said, it does seem like a big discount which indicates a newer model soon.

3. I never had a cartridge dry out.

4. Cartridges are pretty small. This has been a good thing for me because my work has dropped off recently and I would hate to replace a dried out $80.00 cartridge. This is a rough estimate but I would guess that I can get a little over forty-five 8x10's from a set of inks. Inks list for $14.00 each but can be purchased for around $12.00.

Now that I've reread this I realize that it's not very informative. Sorry about that but only trying to help. I will repeat that I'm 100% satisfied with my R1800. Years ago I purchased my first Epson photo printer. After about three weeks I decided that I was not happy with it. They let me exchange it for the 1200 which was just then coming out. I thought that was rather good of Epson.

For the price, I would get the R1900.

Q

Seems like a good recommendation � and the Printer is only the price of 3 sets of ink!

      Is the R1900 still worthwhile




Probably 

      ...or is it being sold off to clear the way for a newer model with larger
      ink cartridges?




Probably

I will chime in here since someone is spending money, it is about as far away form post script than any other inkjet I know of that is it will not print line or vector art well from illustrator and sending the file to Arcobat will give you little help.

You can print photos and it seems to do this very well you will like the color.

Text looks good. So if you only use Photos or Photos and Text, that is not outlined, then you have a good deal. Otherwise like me you will be returning it.

B&N sells it for $474.00 plus you get the $150 rebate and if you buy it with a digital camera you get yet another $100 rebate. That last one you will have to hurry as the deadline is Jan 31.

The reason I say B&H which will come out about the same price since they will not charge sales tax like staples is that they will take it back within 15 days if you are unhappy with it.

They did not seem surprised I returned it.

So Buyer Beware.

The Staples "Deal" is similar:

Price: $549.99

"Instant savings" (meaning Discount at time of purchase): $100.00

"Rebate": $150
 (This is NOT cash, nor is it credited back to your credit card, but is a credit against future purchases. You have to send in for your Rebate and it only applies to purchases made between 01-23-2009 through 03-28-2009.)

However � Staple's offer expires on 01/31/09 � and Staples are now OUT OF STOCK of the R1900.

 <http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/StaplesProductDisplay?storeId=10001&noredir=true&langId=-1&partNumber=735344>

:(

One thing that I forgot to mention: I am printing 16-bit ProPhoto RGB images through Photoshop CS4 (with Photoshop managing colors using the Epson Premium profiles) and the smoothness of tones, lack of banding and incredible image detail in the results are outstanding.

Unfortunately it is only CS4 on a Mac that lets you print at 16 bits � that technology is not available to Windows-users at this time � but if you have CS4 on a Mac, do try printing ProPhoto RGB with 16-bits.

I also received the R1900 very quickly and so far am very happy with it. I went back to Staples site today and it says they are now out of stock. Staples is also a good place to order ink. Orders over $50 are delivered next day and free. Epson Store also has free shipping and next day service for orders over $35 (I think). My ink purchases over the last 4 years have probably helped keep Staples afloat! (kidding)

<http://www.atlex.com/epson-stylus-inkjet-printer/photo_r1900_printer_paper_ink.htm>

I used to buy all my ink and paper here. I don't know how prices compare lately but it might be worth checking out.

Nice, Ho! VERY nice!

I will definitely be ordering from Atlex from now on too.

:)

I always use atlex,and never had any troubles, plus they ship from more than one locale. They did say epson was raising ink prices feb 1st i think.

Then I got in "under the wire" on that one too because I already have extra ink on its way from Epson under their "first order discount" scheme.

:)

But after that, it will be coming from Atlex �

Atlex is good. I've been using them for years. I recently needed ink for my 3800 and buy.com was a bit cheaper, but it took forever to get the ink. Not good when you need it within a reasonable amount of time.

A few posts ago Wade mentioned that one could not print Vector objects or Illustrator files on the R1900.

I have now had time to test this and I find that you can indeed print perfectly smooth and crisp Vectors and gradients out of both Illustrator and Photoshop CS4 on this printer.

When printing from Photoshop, you just need to make sure that "Include Vector Data" is checked in the Print/Output panel.

I assume that the same will hold true for both InDesign and Acrobat but have not tested printing from them as yet.

I was not able to print form illustrator smoothly and I do not believe there is include vector data in the Illustrator Print dialogue check your print again that yo made fro Illustrator unless you brought it into Photohop to print it.

I do not believe it will print well in Illustrator unless the drivers you downloaded from the UK are responsible for this. If the other people say it works form Illustrator I will get the printer back B&H I am certain they will be pleased.

Wade:

I printed directly out of Illustrator CS4. I did Save with PDF capability checked (but I always do) and in the Effects menu, I set Raster settings at 300 ppi. The vectors are dead smooth � even diagonals under a 10x loupe.

It could well be due to the UK drivers.

In Photoshop CS4, there is that "Include Vector Data" box and, with that checked, both Type and Vector shapes are printing smoothly too.

The Premium ICC Profiles have been very well done and the prints are matching the "Soft Proof" screen preview. As you say, the colors are absolutely luscious � I have become addicted to this thing and have been printing almost non-stop most of the weekend.

"Neutrals" are very clean.

I have only printed one B/W so far � the one that was part of the test print which I mentioned in an earlier post � together with the black and white steps and gradients that are also on the Test Print. As you said, "Pure Grays" � no color casts in them at all.

Epson would actually like to encourage us to buy BOTH the R1900 AND the 2800 of course � one for color and the other for B/W!

If you can "borrow" the R1900 back from B&H again to give it a second look, you might want to keep it after all.

I said it was a excellent printer for color photographic prints. i suspect the drivers.

I'll try again and thanks for the info.

The Gray is Gray is an important issue.

Doesn't print well from Illustrator I figured but I can place in Photoshop and get a very good print.

Print photos very well. And the export to photoshop is very good This include Vector Art is an elusive option as well.

Even if it eats ink like all the others it is more economical because you send the image to the printer and you get a excellent print the first time.

But it does not print well in Illustrator as many other users have noted.

What Document Raster Effects Setting have you set in Illustrator?

I only have tried it with 300 ppi Resolution and even that was fine and you could set it at higher than that if you wanted to. I was printing an RGB file too and I don't know if that would affect the results.

And your Transparency Flattener Presets?

I was using "High" with Text Resolution at 1200 ppi and Vector balance = 100

Have you tried printing an Illustrator file through InDesign? I haven't tested an InDesign file yet.

I just can't tear myself away from printing photographs and am thrilled with the consistent high quality of the prints � spot-on every time!

No that is not the problem! I know the problem it is Illustrator and Epson and Intel that is the problem.

ID prints out very well. But there to the pen tool i not quite 100%.

I guess I can try running Illustrator under Rhapsody and see if it works.

Ahh � Intel. And maybe Leopard?

That's probably the difference because I am running a non-Intel G5 on OSX 10.4.11.

Perhaps Epson still haven't fixed their drivers properly for Leopard?

10.4.11 and actually Epson Drivers are really native to OS 9 I understand. they have been fudging them rather then redo>

I'll bring Illustrator art into photoshop and raster there if I need to print.

I am going to guess they took the easy way out and waited until they could not longer rely on the old way and that would be Snow Leopard.

Thanks for the advice and help.

Glad that I could help.

I think that we owe David Cornwell a huge "Thank you" for alerting us to the R1900 offer in the first place!

Thank you David.

For those who wish to send out DVDs, BluRays and CD with either data or media this printer does the best I have seen from Epson.

Comes out right the first time like the prints.

Finally what you see on the screen is what you see on your prints. if you have an Intel and work with Illustrator or vectors bring a copy into into Photoshop and raster and print.

You guys almost have me sold on it. But I think I need a laser printer worse. I have been wanting a color laser printer that handles postscript for quite awhile. Don't know why either something most have sold me on the idea way back when.
For now I think printing documents out weights photos. But I know the more I get into photography the more important printing your own photos become. Especially large sizes.
Anyway, glad you guys enjoy your find.

Wade what system are you running?

OS 10.5.6 and OS 10.5.5 and that seems to be the problem.

Just a note to update on my printer.
The replacement printer came Thursday but I've not had time to hook it 
up yet. I've been playing with the "broken" one as I have a free set of 
Inks to use. I've used up the black because most of the pictures I take 
have black backgrounds. I think I will need to keep several black carts 
on hand. The print quality still looks great except for the scratches 
but they should be gone with the new printer. The profiles I've 
downloaded for the various papers I have seem to be spot on. I've done a 
few black & whites and I don't see much if any color casts. If there is 
any color casts it's going to warm side and I've always liked the warm 
tone papers anyway. I'm happy with everything except the size of the ink 
carts.

John Passaneau

The size of the ink carts was my major concern too.

I found that I got 36 US Ltr sized prints before the first cartridge (Gloss) needed replacement and Epson do state that we will only get 2/3 of regular output from the first set of cartridges because of the initial "Priming".

So that would indicate that i can probably expect to get about 50 prints from now on.

There is another side to the "small carts." issue however:

I reckon on keeping two complete sets of ink in the cupboard as "Spares" at all times.

With the R1900, that means that I am locking-up about $200 in spare inks.

With the R3800 (which I had been considering), I would be locking-up $1080 in Spare Inks!

I'm going to chime in again about my old R1800. Not nice and shiny like youz guys R1900. I would not be surprised if the cartridges that come with a new printer are less than full. And concerning the gloss ink. It is priced the same as the colors but for that price you will receive TWO cartridges.
I'm still envious,...Q

Don't want to make you envious Q � but the R1900 really is a SUPERB printer �!

:)

Concerning the original carts.:

I think we got the regular ones because the outer sleeves were identical to the sleeves on my replacement inks. However, Epson did clearly state that the initial priming of a new printer would use one third of the contents of the cartridges.

As you mentioned, you do get two Gloss cartridges per package.

My first two inks have now emptied (Cyan and PK) after 40 prints.

There is another side to the ink situation that i noticed. You all mention it but missed the connection. Usually your first print is your keeper and the second print is as well.

Many of the other printers require tow or more prints to get things right. So if you count those test prints as a print and you got 10 prints more you really are losing a lot of ink and paper and time printing.

So in the end the R1900 is an economical printer. In many ways. The fact that Ann is making a lot of prints with the R1900 and she was not doing this with her previous printer should indicate what I mean.

Before it was not practical and now it is. I t will cost you more money then what you were doing before but if you tried this before the amount of time and money would either kill you or make you go broke.

I mean it takes all of like two minute, if that, to do and 11x17 print I have not tried a 13x19 but I would say probably add another 15 seconds.

The downside is that when making say ten prints that size you don't have enough time to have a quite cup of tea or coffee, as you always could in the past.

The next go around will probably spit it out in less then a minute, we will have to find other ways to stretch the work out.

It's always something!

      There is another side to the ink situation that i noticed. You all mention
      it but missed the connection. Usually your first print is your keeper
      and the second print is as well.




Exactly!

And you won't even make that second print � unless you needed two copies in the first place.

With the R1900, I find that I want a hard copy of just about every photograph that I have taken; whereas, with the 1270, I only printed what was needed for client purposes and VERY seldom made prints for my own personal enjoyment.

I have been a huge supporter of Epson products, scanners in general, and printers in particular. I'm truly glad that you are pleased with the R1900. As I stated near the beginning of this thread, my R1800 has given me great reliability and excellent prints.

Another benefit, for me, is the use of Premium Presentation Matte paper. I use it for quite a lot of things. I print my wedding previews on it and then the prints go into an album with plastic pages. Considering it is on matte, the color saturation is great.

Many (most) of my customers like the matte look and want their entire order on it. I think this is a good thing for two reason. First, that paper, with Epson pigment inks, has a very long projected life. And second, that paper is priced at around $14.00 per 50 sheet pack. And the kicker is that Staples will regularly have it on sale at half price.

There is nothing I can say about the prints on paper that use the gloss inks. You already know how beautiful they are.

Enjoy your R1900's and may the Force be with you.

Q

Ann,

      With the R3800 (which I had been considering), I would be locking-up $1080
      in Spare Inks!




But, the carts for the 3800 are much larger, which, for me, means that I don't have to keep as many spare carts on hand. Even when the ink level in a cart gets down to 10% remaining, I still have more than enough time to order a new cart to replace it.

Of course, one's ink inventory needs will vary with how much volume you're printing, but for me, keeping two backup carts for every color would be extreme overkill.

I printed with my replacement printer last night. I did some black &
white on Epson presentation matt. There has been some mention that the 
black $ whites are not true "gray" and they are not. To my eyes they 
have a very slight green tint to the blacks which I could neutralize 
with 5cc's of magenta. The green tint is not that bad and one must 
remember that almost no silver black $ white prints were truly neutral. 
Most had a slight green tint which was neutralized with selenium toning. 
I kind of like the look of black $ white on matt paper. I've not used 
matte paper much before. I'm also not a big fan of gloss paper either, I 
like pearl much more and I really like the old silver print paper F 
surface air dried. I just don't know why paper manufactures can't come 
closer to that look.
By the way Epson is paying the return shipping for the defective 
printer. Also the instructions says not to return software, paper trays, 
Ink, and roll paper holders. So I have a bunch of spare plastic parts.

John Passaneau

John, 

      To my eyes they have a very slight green tint to the blacks




Make sure that is the case by viewing your prints either directly under a Solux lamp or out in the open under direct sunlight.

Sunlight coming through a window will often induce a green cast of lesser or greater intensity due to various kinds of glass. When you look at the unmounted glass or a piece of broken glass from the side, you can see how green glass can be,

      With the R3800 (which I had been considering), I would be locking-up $1080
      in Spare Inks!




Yup, the cost of printing is in ink and paper, not in the up-front printer cost. Of course the main benefit of the 3800 is the availability of 57% larger A2 prints while maintaining similar footprint and use of non-roll papers. Another benefit is that the SP3800 receives quality pro Epson support; Epson support for consumer printers is worse than useless.

Also, after tens of thousands of small-cartridge SP200 prints and at least a thousand large-cartridge SP3800 prints IMO larger ink cartridges are all kinds of beneficial. Changing smaller cartridges involved the PITA of interrupting workflow that much more often.

My work sometimes involves unplanned large over-the-weekend printing projects on deadline, often with one color dominating. The consequences of running out of ink mid-project would be disastrous, so with the SP2200 I kept 3-4 spare cartridges of each color. With the SP3800 I keep one spare cartridge of each color and 2 of the matte and photo blacks.

      Of course, one's ink inventory needs will vary with how much volume you're
      printing, but for me, keeping two backup carts for every color would be
      extreme overkill.




The reason for two spares is in case a spare happens to be defective. For me in my high altitude low humidity environment it did happen with some frequency with SP12xx cartridges but never with the SP2200 or with the SP3800. And don't forget to keep spare "maintenance" cartridges for the printers that use them.

      Another benefit, for me, is the use of Premium Presentation Matte paper.
      I use it for quite a lot of things. I print my wedding previews on it
      and then the prints go into an album with plastic pages. Considering it
      is on matte, the color saturation is great.




I too have found the matte printing of the SP3800 saves money on paper. In my case the Presentation Matte works well for posters that used to require more expensive higher gloss paper. I will try the Premium Presentation Matte with wedding clients.

I'm using a Solux lamp. Learned that lesson years ago. The slight green 
  tint is not that strong and I probably will not bother to remove it as 
it is so slight. In the old days of color printing 5cc's of change was 
very small. By the way for those interested on the The Lights Right 
digital dark room has a set of actions that lets you make color 
corrections in cc units. This is very nice for those of us that use 
viewing filters to judge how much of some color needs to be added or 
subtracted to fix a color problem. The web address is:
http://www.thelightsrightstudio.com/digital-darkroom.htm

It's shareware and I like it allot.

John Passaneau

A bit off topic, but your link reminded me of this one, John. Kinda' handy little accessories for anyone doing a lot of table top work.

 <http://lightrightreflector.com/>

Nice.

Attn to Wade Zimmerman:

Still have problems with r1900 & MBP Intel OSX 10.5.6 Printing in InDesign CS3!
Many, many ours, ink and paper spending of solving the problem of very bad prints. Not bright, even dull and very dirty colours (sp. magenta). Tried the Gutenprint-drivers: no solution. I've uninstalled the drivers which came from CD (via uninstall-tool and manually) and installed the latest driver (6.60) from Epson support site.
The answer of Epson support: You're printing with software (Adobe CS3) which is not from Epson, so we can not help you...
Yesterday we've spend a FULL day, together with a very experienced guy, well known in colormanagement, and we couldn't find a solution. Remark: on his MBP G4 OSX 10.4 the prints where a little bit better, but still not satisfied.
Does anybody know how to solve this problem???

Regards,
A frustrated Marc (from Holland)

Have you tried using InDesign C4 (Free trial is available) instead of using InD CS3 because printing was quite problematic from InD CS3?

Are you using the "Premium" ICC Profiles (downloadable from the Epson Site)?

Are you using an official Epson paper?

Do you have "Let InDesign Determine Color" and the correct Premium ICC Profile for your paper and for Best Photo selected; and that in the Graphics" tab, you selected "Send Data: All".?

Check in the "Page set-up Panel" that you have the correct printer selected;
and in the "Printer" panel that you have:
the correct profiles and printer showing;
that High-speed printing is UNchecked,
"Best Photo" is checked and "No Color Management" are both selected.

I can only tell you that I am getting perfect prints from the R19900 using InDesign CS4 and the set-up described above.

There is one BIG difference however: I am using a G5 (not a MacIntel); and I am using OSX 10.4.11.

There are indications in threads in the Photoshop Forum that there are still double-color-management issues with the Epson Drivers when used with Leopard 10.5.6 on a MacIntel computer.

You might also try exporting an InD CS3 file to Acrobat and printing from Acrobat.

Ann,
I 'm allmost sure that the combination Intel-OSX10.5.6-R1900 is the problem. I will download the premium ICC-profiles and test it.

In InD CS3 I can't choose for 'no color management'. I suppose that that might be the problem...
In a few days I will continue to solve this BIG issue. In the meantime I have to catch a deadline and will print somewhere else. Keep you in touch. Thanks for your suggestions.

      In InD CS3 I can't choose for 'no color management'. I suppose that that
      might be the problem...




Yes, you can!

:)

Click on the buttons that InDesign tells you not to use: "Page Set-up" and "Printer":

 <http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1dlYHAphltW42k9UTZR0DzTNqtHE2w0>

 <http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1JCvLh4rmJIWl7e29GVCKYeY4UjIw60>

 <http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1lKI2i8QZzAfGHad8bfZb9LMutKg>

Ann, thanks. But I suppose that you are showing me a different type of screenshots than InD CS3 on OSX 10.5.6. My screens look different.
Please send me your e-mail to info@marcvangastel.nl so I can send you my screenshots.

      Please send me your e-mail to info@marcvangastel.nl so I can send you
      my screenshots.




Post on Pixentral so the entire forum can participate.

<http://www.pixentral.com>

follow the instructions for posting uploading the screenshots.

then when you see the screen shot is uploaded copy the the text in the upper input field which is called http and paste it into your message here and the thumbnail will show up.

Copy all of the text in the field.

What part of Holland are you in? I have done so work at Lelystadt and Almere there is an exhibit at Almere of the work by Portzamparc the french architect who I took some of the images for which are in the exhibit. At least that is what I am told. I eventually have to go back sometime this year probably March or April. Unless I go to China. But if you are any where near Amsterdam I can help you waste paper.

BT the dialogs should look like the ones that Ann posted.

Maybe I will be there soon I can drop by and help you waste more paper and ink.

Just kidding a get good prints form Espon the colors are great my problem is with vector graphics but photographs print great.

Wade