conflicting info on RIPs

[Jellyfish]

One salesperson told me that the FastRIP postscript driver makes the black more dense on the film because it causes the Epson printer to pull from two ink cartridges, one with FastInk and the other matte black. A salesperson from another company told me that was not true and that the RIP just tells the printer to use more ink from one cartridge. Can anybody clarify this for me?

[Preston]

One salesperson told me that the FastRIP postscript driver makes the black more dense on the film because it causes the Epson printer to pull from two ink cartridges, one with FastInk and the other matte black. A salesperson from another company told me that was not true and that the RIP just tells the printer to use more ink from one cartridge. Can anybody clarify this for me?

The one that told you it uses two ink cartridges is smoking some of that funny weed. Fastrip or Ghostscript, you only use the photo black cartridge slot.

BTW, I use Ghostscript. Why pay for Fastrip when Ghostscript does just as good for free.

[Jellyfish]

So Preston,
You use Fastink and Ghostcript and, I assume, the cheaper non-waterproof film for everyday use. Seems like maybe the least expensive option is: the HP9800, Ghostscript, Fastink and non-waterproof paper! Do you or anybody else reading this know if that combination works together to produce good films? Any known drawbacks to the HP9800 versus the Epson R1800 for films?

The main reason I can see for buying the Epson is to get the archival quality pigment based inks for printing sellable color artwork and photos, which for me, may be enough reason to go with the more expensive R1800.

With the R1800 can you pop out the Fastink cartridge and change it out for the photo ink cartridge when you want to print a photo and then pop it back in for film?

[Big Lefty]

I use the HP 9800 with Ghostwriter, and non waterproof films. Works fine for me. I was set to buy the Epson RIP combo, but after much advice, decided to take the HP route. Saved me nearly $2k.

[JohnnyV]

I use HP9800, non-waterproof film, and ghostscript. I just use the regular inks that came with printer and have no problem.

[Jellyfish]

  Well whatdya know. Nothing like the street. We have found an affordable solution to film output. The HP9800 and Ghostscript. Unless I decide to get the Epson for archival grade artwork, I will go with the HP. Thanks everyone for their input on output. --jan

[tpitman]

I bought the 2200/FastRIP combo in spring 05, plus the bulk feed. Used it on a PC. Then switched everything over to my Mac. After some software issues with the rip, everything worked fine. Then the printer peters out . . . won't pull ink. So I take it to an authorized repair shop, and $280 later, I've got a new printhead. One week later (and only about 10 sheets of film) it quits printing again. I've got no other source of film. So before I call the repair shop and ream 'em out, I put in a regular Epson black cartridge and run head cleanings, and it starts to print again. Put the FastINK bulk feeder back in, and no print. Put the regular cartridge back in and it prints, so now it's the bulk feeder that's shot. I get pissed and order a new HP9800, and while I wait for it, I use the 2200 as best I can, but I can't get a good, dense film positive. I order a small FastINK cartridge, and install it when it comes in, and voila, everything is good, but now I don't trust the printer to be there when I need it. The HP9800 comes, and I let it sit for a couple of weeks without taking it out of the box, since I'm getting by with the Epson. So Friday, I've got some time and think, "I'd better see if I can make the HP work, 'cause when that damn Epson craps out on me when I need it, I'll need a backup." So I set it up. Easy install, and run about 3 small sheets of film through trying different settings, of which there are a ton more than there are with the Epson, and voila, I hit on a combination that's as dark as the FastRIP on the Epson, and sharper than the prints from the Epson without using FastRIP.

Now, the FastRIP/Epson/FastINK Bulk System are nice, when they work, but I spent about $1400 on the setup, plus the repair, and I can't really say I got my money's worth in the long haul. And everything I read about Epsons seems to indicate inherent clogging problems, unless you run the things continuously.

Needless to say, that 2200 has seen it's last repair. The HP cost new the same as the repair did, and there are cheaper deals on the internet for the HP than I paid.

Sorry for the long rant. I"m just thankful for the advice I've gotten off this board and screenprinters.net directing me to a less expensive alternative that seems to work great.

[Preston]

I bought the 2200/FastRIP combo in spring 05, plus the bulk feed. Used it on a PC. Then switched everything over to my Mac. After some software issues with the rip, everything worked fine. Then the printer peters out . . . won't pull ink.

I had the same problem with the USSPI bulk system on the 2200. I took the bulk cartridge that came with their system off and trashed it. I put in a cheap bulk cartridge my buddy in China sent me and it has been printing great ever since.

[tru]

what are the correct settings for the hp9800?

[Jason]

I use the HP 9800 with Ghostwriter, and non waterproof films. Works fine for me. I was set to buy the Epson RIP combo, but after much advice, decided to take the HP route. Saved me nearly $2k.

I got the epson 2200 off Craigslist for $200, ink bulk system for $80, saved a lot of money as well. I use waterproof films though now- so dense and easy.