A Brick wall CAN print! (My First Printing Experience)

[J Eddington]

I have a new Epson R2880 printer. Those who know me, know that I NEVER print at home. It all goes out to a lab. Well, many friends told me that I should get a printer but….you were talking to a brick wall. But a new friend convinced me to give it a go.

To say I was apprehensive might be mild. I want things yesterday and I want them simple. I had no reason to believe that printing in house was simple. I have listened to you all, printer settings, color problems, alignment, paper, clogged printer heads, ICC profiles, costs, etc, it all sounded like a real hassle. I have to admit, it came and all I could think was “What the heck was I thinking?” I had real mixed emotions. The excitement of instant gratification. BUT what if it doesn’t work or I am too thick headed to use it? I have to admit it took me a full day before I opened that box.

I took everything out. Took all the tape off the printer, plugged it in, installed the ink…so far so good, it hasn’t bit me yet or squirted ink everywhere! Charged the ink, loaded paper. Now I installed the software and followed the directions. Ok now what??? The last step says I am ready to print. I have a pack of Epson Ultra Premium Photo Paper (Luster). I feel really stupid. What do I PRINT??? So I print the last photo that I edited. It is coming off the printer, Uhhhh, I don’t think so. This is UGLY. It is so dark I can hardly see anything. See I knew I couldn’t do it. STOP, Chill out, think. Maybe I just got too excited. I only read the START HERE document! It said I was “ready to print”. So let’s “RTM” Let’s read the part called “Printing from start to finish”
Did you know that printers have preferences and paper types? Quality setting (I know what that is!). HUMMM, Select “Mode Setting” Epson or Adobe RGB, now I have to make choices? Geezz. Print again. This looks MUCH better.
Well, let me try to make a long story short so you don’t all fall asleep. Second print better but not quite there. I played with the printer settings and by about the 8th print things look good. Reeeeally good.
I know that I still have a lot to learn. PAPER, where do I even begin. At this point I can’t do any cost comparisons, but guess what… I DON’T CARE… this is too much fun.
I just printed a new photo 13x19. Can I just say WOW. I am ordering more ink NOW. Can’t take the chance I might run out!!!!
MAYBE….I should print my next photo for the next DPPA Guild competition. What do you think?
OH and if you are one of my friends that want to say I told you so… No need. I get it. I hear you loud and clear.

If you have any tips let me know!

[toverman]

I've heard good things about that printer. Enjoy it, become an expert and then be ready when the rest of us bite and can't figure it out.

[CaptainTom]

Just when you get the equipment the way you want. Good camera, nice lenses, studio lights, etc.
Now, it's printer this, printer that. The fun never stops.