EPSON R800 printer

Page 9.

So far I have been more than impressed with the R800 printer, the quality of output is far better than I had anticipated, so are there any things that I don't like?

The first problem I encountered is when printing a 6x4 or even a 3.5 x 5.25 image on 6x4 paper, the top edge of paper does not print properly (the left edge on a correctly orientated picture).

Scaled down version of the original file

Borderless 6x4 print from a 6x4 size image, notice the over enthusiastic cropping

6x4 image printed without the borderless option - notice printing fall off on left edge

Scale to media option selected in Photoshop - same problem on left edge

Image resized down to 3.5 x 5.25 - problem still present on left edge.

There is a printing problem with 6x4 media, the left edge of the print is not fully printed, see the white band on the above prints. I am sure that the problem will be sorted on the full production units, but as it stands this is going to be unacceptable for most users. The problem is not present on A4 media.

The roll media, as on other Epson printers still has the curl problem, this is especially pronounced when the roll nears its end. Has anyone managed to work out how to uncurl the paper? I personally would prefer to use individual sheets of 6x4 rather that a roll, especially as there is not going to be a cutter available for this printer (at least not in the UK). Feeding the roll media is a fidly process, it has to be fed down and through the bottom rear path, and the paper has to be cut squarely - Epson make a big thing of this in the on-line help guide. An optional paper cutter would solve the problem.

Feeding roll paper is an awkward task at the best of times
Not a Heath Robinson invention, but Epson's suggested way of fixing the curl
I thought a Triangle was a percussion instrument

The above and animated images are taken from Epson's on-line manual.

As a footnote to EPSON, can you please, please re-design the acetate packaging on the media. I have lost count of the times that I have withdrawn a sheet of paper and had it caught up on the sticky sealant. HP provides a practical blue envelope to store their media in, how about a green one from Epson.

Just for the record, here is the ink status on the first set of inks.

After - 30 6x4 prints, 12 A4 prints, 8 text documents, 10 5x4 Christmas cards on greeting card paper (I get some perks) and numerous test strips.

As a postscript to this page, Epson are going to supply me with a new driver, which they tell me fixes the above problem - I will let you know. Epson have also confirmed that the media cutter will not be available for the European R800. The front connection will not be present on the production model.

A UK price of £299 has been set for the printer, ink prices have yet to be confirmed, the Gloss Optimizer will be roughly 40% cheaper than the colours. The printer should be in the stores before the end of the month.