Our first shipment of pre-filled 1270/1280 cartridges have arrived, and they will be sold on a first-come basis. We also have a limited number of chip re-setters. You will need to remove the chip from your old Epson cartridges (with the tool provided) and snap them into the new Fotonic cartridges after the chip has been re-programmed by the chip re-setter. The chip can be re-set indefinitely, and transferred to a new cartridge after each re-set. You'll want to have a chip (from your old Epson cartridges) for both the color and black cartridges. For convenience, you may also want a chip for each of the cleaning cartridges, so you don't have to transfer them back and forth from you Fotonic ink cartridges (so start saving those used cartridges!). To order the pre-filled Fotonic cartridges and chip re-setter, go to:
CAUTION: One note of warning when transferring the chips to the Fotonic pre-filled cartridges or the cleaning cartridges -- be sure that the chip is completely snapped onto the two plastic posts! The front surface of the chip should be flush with the top of the small plastic posts. If the chip is not fully snapped in, it could fall out, and expose the recessed area (where the chip would reside), thus allowing the printer's electrical contacts to protrude into this recessed area. And when the cartridge is removed, these electrical contacts can catch on the cartridge and be damaged. NOTE: Future Fotonic cartridges will have a slot (rather than the plastic posts that are similar to the Epson cartridges), where you'll be able to insert the blue chip carrier (and its enclosed chip) into the cartridge slot. Additional chip carriers will be available. This new chip carrier system will be identical to the ILRS unit displayed on this Web page:
Due to the increase volume of bulk ink sales in the USA, Lyson was able to dramatically reduce their prices to us, and we are passing these savings onto our customers. Please check our Web site for these greatly reduced (almost one-half) prices:
Although Fotonic is a unique dye-based inkset that has many advantages over pigmented "archival" inks, this new price will help it compete with other inks, and not let "price" be so much a factor in one's ink choice. NOTE: If you ordered this product at the old prices (between June 8, 2001 and June 21, 2001), you should have already been sent a rebate offer from us via email.
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF FOTONIC INK
ADVANTAGES:
COLOR. Our tests with Fotonic ink showed considerably more color gamut and color saturation than Epson's ink. Take a look at these comparisons:
MEDIA COMPATIBILITY. Because Fotonic is a dye-base ink, you'll find that it is compatible with a wider variety of inkjet papers and other inkjet media than pigmented inks. Pigmented inks are quite "fussy" about what papers they'll work on or look good on. Fotonic can also be used with reasonable success on some uncoated art papers (try using most pigmented inks on uncoated Somerset Velvet, Waterford or Arches, and you'll be quite disappointed).
SAVINGS. Although the purchase of pre-filled Fotonic cartridges does not offer any significant savings over Epson cartridges, refilling (and resetting the chip) the cartridges with bulk ink or using bulk ink in a CIS system does make for considerable savings.
LONGEVITY. Lyson claims the Fotonic ink set is "five times" stronger than Epson's regular or original ink set (not the Epson 1270/1280 inkset). Does this mean that it is as lightfast, or even more lightfast than the Epson 1270/1280 ink set? Lyson thinks it is very comparable, and has inhouse tests that would support that belief. Lyson also thinks that Fotonic may produce longevity on a greater variety of papers than Epson's 1270/1280 inks. To see Lyson's inhouse tests results for Fotonic ink, go to: http://www.lyson.com/Technical%20Support/mrestableframe.html Inkjetart is currently conducting its own tests, and will publish the results at a future date. Independent tests are still being conduct through Wilhelm Imaging Research (yes, Henry is alive and well, and was seen frequently at Photo West).
DISADVANTAGES:
(You're not going to see the manufacturer list these disadvantages, but we try to tell both sides in this newsletter.)
Fotonic is not entirely "plug-n-play" like your Epson inks. If you try and use Fotonic inks from your Epson print driver, without making any adjustments, you'll end up with a print that has unsatisfactory color (most prints will look somewhat bluish-magenta). However, the introduction of Lyson's online ICC profiles into Photoshop v.5.5 or higher makes all future printing quite simple. Go to
NOTE: If you are in the USA and Canada, use the "870/1270" profiles -- not the "890/1290" profiles. Although Lyson only provides profiles for their four "Fine Art" papers, their "Matt", and their "Professional Gloss and Satin", you can easily tweak your image in Photoshop along with these profiles to adapt them for use with other similar papers.
Fotonic ink exhibits a slight metallic or silvery surface reflection on glossy or semi-gloss papers, when those papers are held at just the right angle of reflection to overhead lights. This metallic reflection only shows up in areas of high ink laydown, such as in dark or black areas. This effect is not present on matte, fine art or watercolor papers. Actually, most people did not notice this metallic reflection when we showed them prints made from the Fotonic inks; and of those that did, some thought it was kind of cool. Very few felt the effect was annoying or distracting, but we felt you still should be aware of this unique Fotonic ink "feature". Here's an example that we've exaggerated (with a strong reflection) to help you visualize the effect you might see on a Fotonic ink jet print:
FIRMWARE UPGRADE OFFERED ON 7500 and 9500 PRINTERS
To ensure optimal performance of Epson's new Archival inks, an additional high frequency cleaning cycle has been implemented for printhead maintenance. This is an optional program, but is highly recommended. With the new firmware installed, the printer will monitor the firing of ink through the printheads and automatically initiate a high frequency cleaning cycle every 240 million dots fired (approximately every 600 sq. ft.).ð During this periodic high frequency cleaning cycle the LCD will display "Cleaning: Std. KK3", and the user is not to interrupt the process. This KK3 cleaning cycle will complete in 3 minutes and consume 6ml (six milliliters) of ink from each cartridge.
Epson has established a procedure to loan a Flash Card to 7500 and 9500 customers along with instructions on how to upgrade the firmware on their printers. Check here for more information to see if your printer even needs this upgrade:
...to download the "EPSON Stylus Pro 7500 Firmware Update Notification (v. L0160B)" file. Then print out this form, fill it out and fax it to Epson. NOTE: there is a PC and a Mac version of this form.
CAUTION: This is procedure is only for the Stylus Pro 7500 and Stylus Pro 9500. There is no firmware update for any other product at this time. Installation of this firmware in another model (7000 or 9000) will damage the equipment requiring on-site service.
USING YOUR EPSON PRINTER(S) OVER A MACINTOSH NETWORK (FOR FREE)
Quite often, we receive calls from people who wish to use their Epson printer over their Macintosh network. Many people call wanting to know how much the Ethernet card for their printer costs. Most of these people don't know it is possible to use the Epson printers over a network using the free software they already have on their computers! Our Webmaster and network administrator, Chris, put together an article discussing the two different options available, their strengths and weaknesses, and when you should use one over the other. Go to:
If you purchase the Epson 5500 from Inkjetart by June 28, 2001, we'll give you a reduced price of $3,285 (reduced $210 from $3,495). Hurry, because we only have ONE (1) printer at this price (no rain checks). Our regular price on the 5500 is $3,385 (a savings of $110). Free ground shipping within the continental U.S. All prices are without a RIP.
DISCOUNT ON EPSON STYLUS PRO 7000
If you purchase the Epson 7000 from Inkjetart by June 28, 2001, we'll give you a reduced price of $3,845 (reduced $150 from $3,995). You'll also be entitle to a $500 mail in rebate from Epson. Hurry, because we only have a limited number of printers at this price (on a first-come basis until they are gone - no rain checks). Free ground shipping within the continental U.S. Our regular reduce price on the 7500 is $4,895 (reduced $100 from $4,495). All prices are without a RIP or a stand.
DISCOUNT ON EPSON STYLUS PRO 9500
If you purchase the Epson 9500 from Inkjetart by June 28, 2001, we'll give you a reduced price of $6,745 (reduced $250 from $6,995). You'll also be entitle to a $1,000 mail in rebate from Epson. Hurry, because we only have a limited number of printers at this price (on a first-come basis until they are gone - no rain checks). Free ground shipping within the continental U.S. NOTE: We are currently NOT selling the 9000 (we should resume sales on the 9000 in mid July). All prices are without a RIP.
DISCOUNT ON EPSON STYLUS PRO 10000
Our regular discounted price on the 10000 is $9,931. Free ground shipping within the continental U.S. This price is without a RIP.
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"Inkjet NEWS & Tips" is published by
Royce Bair, Editor royce@inkjetart.com
Inkjet Solutions for Photo-realistic & Archival Fine Art Printing
http://www.inkjetART.com/
Inkjet Art Solutions
8100 s. 1300 w., Suite A
West Jordan, UT 84088
Phone: 801-256-0360 Fax: 801-256-0369
(c) Copyright 2005 The Stock Solution, All Rights Reserved
No portion of this publication may be reproduced or re-published
without written permission from Royce Bair or his stock photography agency, The Stock Solution.
Send your comments to Royce Bair royce@inkjetart.com.
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All longevity estimates should be treated as such, Inkjet Art Solutions is not liable for pre-mature fading of prints or damage to printers through use of our products. Be sure to properly research your purchase and follow the directions given. If you need help, please contact us.
For more information regarding our policies, including our return policy, please visit our Policies Page
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