A3 color printer with reasonably priced ink?

[asiga]

Hi,

I've an A3-size HP Deskjet which has served me well since 2003, and it continues to do so. However, each new ink cartridge set (black + color) costs me about $80, which is the price of a whole new printer nowadays.

I've always defended HP because I love its quality and I like the concept of having new injectors when you replace the ink... but... time has changed, and the market has changed. Yes, I know there're HP cartridge clones from other vendors, but I tried them and they're too risky (they sometimes fail, or print with lower quality).

So... I ask... do you know of a good quality A3 color printer with the ink at a price that each time you buy ink you don't have to pay the price of a new printer?

Thanks a lot!

 

[Gav2k]

Epson reson being you can buy external large ink kits no more silly print 10 pages and run out cartridges to worry about.

Failing that costco do a brother a3 printer that claims to be cheap

As an example >> http://www.inkexpress.co.uk/continuous-ink-systems.html

 

[MCAsan]

What is the quality requirement? Are you doing art prints or just printing from the web or productivity apps like Pages?

 

[asiga]

What is the quality requirement? Are you doing art prints or just printing from the web or productivity apps like Pages?

My current printer is a Deskjet 1220C/PS. I'm fine with its quality (yes, I sometimes do art prints, but the 1220C quality is enough for me).

I ordered new cartridges for my 1220C. But I think they're the last ones I order. I'm considering going laser (not sure if color toner is cheap, but black toner will be much more affordable than the 1220C).

Thanks a lot to Gav2k: Yes, Epson might be fine… I saw a color laser Epson in A3 which looked fine.

 

[MCAsan]

We have a HP color laser for general printing. I have yet to see a laser than can touch a good inkjet from Canon or Epson for art prints.

At least with a major maker of laser printers you can get relatively inexpensive cartridges in shops and on the net. We gave up on HP laser cartridges years ago. But we still use only Canon inks in our Canon inkjets for printing artwork.

 

[ivnj]

Actually costco does ink refills also. At least mine does.

 

[carestudio]

Epson makes GREAT quality of printer.
I am currently using Epson R3000 printer and R3880 printer.

You can also choose Epson 1430 printer with much lower cost but it can do A3 too.

If you are looking for after market inks with GREAT result, I would suggest you take a look at InkExpress in UK and InkRepublic in US.

I was skeptical about refilling, however with the HIGH cost of ink, I decided to give it a whirl! I have been using InkRepublic's R3000 system and R3880 systems. The quality of prints made with their IRK4-nano pigment inks is identical to prints made with the original epson cartridges.
Installation of these system is fairly easy, I would highly recommend them; great quality and you will save a ton of money!

http://www.inkrepublic.com/R3000-iRefill.asp
http://www.inkrepublic.com/R3000.asp
http://www.inkrepublic.com/3880-iRefill.asp

and they do have much cheaper dye ink system for 1430 printer too
http://www.inkrepublic.com/Artisan1430.asp

and Inkexpress UK
http://www.inkexpress.co.uk

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there are also some good epson refillable carts out there, but did not try it myself.
http://www.ufosystem.net/products.asp