Generic Ink Cartridges Rule! What about paper? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

scavengertype · 11-17-2003, 12:47 PM

Last week I got my first set of ink cartridges for my Epson 1280 off of Printpal.com after reading a recommendation here. They cost $14.90 compared to $51 for the epson carts. The print quality is JUST AS GOOD, at first I noticed a slight reddish hue, but I rolled back the magenta on the print setup program and it looks excellent. This was the first generic brand I tried. Hopefully printpal is consistant, and hopefully the ink stands up to light exposure over time, but that remains to be seen. As for now, considering all the problems I have had with Epson brand inks in this printer (perpetually clogging heads, strange smearing...)I am sold.

Anyway, I am now convinced that all the information I have heard claiming that generic ink carts are not as good is printer manufacturer propaganda. Apparently PC magazine likes to take care of it's advertisers.......

Does anyone know of a good alternative to Brand-name paper? I haven't found any that looked as good as the Epson paper with this printer. I have tried Burlington,Kodak,Office Depot, and generic brands, and all of them looked spotty compared to the Epson brand. Is there a site out there that specializes in generic paper?

merkerguitars · 11-17-2003, 12:56 PM

Are you just looking for normal paper? I just usually use the cheap stuff bestbuy or walmart has.....then I buy some really expensive fancy stuff for resumes, reports, etc. I don't know about photo paper though. Otherwise find a business that would go through paper like mad and they buy it in builk and see if they would let you buy a ream or two for cheap.

scavengertype · 11-17-2003, 01:11 PM

Yeah I mean photo paper, should have clarified...
I usually use the Epson 4x6 borderless stuff, which looks good, but even that isn't the highest gloss or best quality...

sailor · 11-17-2003, 02:03 PM

If you want really good, high quality, archival inkjet photo paper, you are going to have to pay for it. There isnt any way around that

Finding a paper with rich black and <i>that is archival</i> is a long process, and an expensive one at that. Epson does make some very good papers.

For normal printing of documents and such, it doesnt matter too much. Get whatever is on sale.

Moobie · 11-17-2003, 02:40 PM

Great White makes some pretty cheap good paper. Sailor's right good paper costs good money. No real way around that. Unless you make your own paper.... I wonder how well homemade paper would work in a printer? Nah, not worth the trouble, go to Walmart, it's your best bet.

merkerguitars · 11-17-2003, 06:20 PM

I know one good way of getting photo paper I forgot to mention. If you can find someone that works at a photo lab of some sort they usually have weird oddball sizes of scrap that if you cut to shape they would work perfectly fine for 4x6 photos...but cutting up scraps can be a pain to do....

11-17-2003, 12:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
scavengertype Tilted	Generic Ink Cartridges Rule! What about paper? Last week I got my first set of ink cartridges for my Epson 1280 off of Printpal.com after reading a recommendation here. They cost $14.90 compared to $51 for the epson carts. The print quality is JUST AS GOOD, at first I noticed a slight reddish hue, but I rolled back the magenta on the print setup program and it looks excellent. This was the first generic brand I tried. Hopefully printpal is consistant, and hopefully the ink stands up to light exposure over time, but that remains to be seen. As for now, considering all the problems I have had with Epson brand inks in this printer (perpetually clogging heads, strange smearing...)I am sold. Anyway, I am now convinced that all the information I have heard claiming that generic ink carts are not as good is printer manufacturer propaganda. Apparently PC magazine likes to take care of it's advertisers....... Does anyone know of a good alternative to Brand-name paper? I haven't found any that looked as good as the Epson paper with this printer. I have tried Burlington,Kodak,Office Depot, and generic brands, and all of them looked spotty compared to the Epson brand. Is there a site out there that specializes in generic paper?

11-17-2003, 12:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Are you just looking for normal paper? I just usually use the cheap stuff bestbuy or walmart has.....then I buy some really expensive fancy stuff for resumes, reports, etc. I don't know about photo paper though. Otherwise find a business that would go through paper like mad and they buy it in builk and see if they would let you buy a ream or two for cheap. __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

11-17-2003, 02:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
sailor beauty in the breakdown Location: Chapel Hill, NC	If you want really good, high quality, archival inkjet photo paper, you are going to have to pay for it. There isnt any way around that Finding a paper with rich black and <i>that is archival</i> is a long process, and an expensive one at that. Epson does make some very good papers. For normal printing of documents and such, it doesnt matter too much. Get whatever is on sale. __________________ "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." --Plato

11-17-2003, 02:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
Moobie Insane Location: baked beans	Great White makes some pretty cheap good paper. Sailor's right good paper costs good money. No real way around that. Unless you make your own paper.... I wonder how well homemade paper would work in a printer? Nah, not worth the trouble, go to Walmart, it's your best bet. __________________ Obscenity is the crutch of inarticulate motherfuckers. We like money. Give us your money you stupid consumer whore.

11-17-2003, 06:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	I know one good way of getting photo paper I forgot to mention. If you can find someone that works at a photo lab of some sort they usually have weird oddball sizes of scrap that if you cut to shape they would work perfectly fine for 4x6 photos...but cutting up scraps can be a pain to do.... __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

11-17-2003, 01:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
scavengertype Tilted	Yeah I mean photo paper, should have clarified... I usually use the Epson 4x6 borderless stuff, which looks good, but even that isn't the highest gloss or best quality...