Alas, many users have found that 870/1270 prints do NOT have the advertised longevity. According to reports on the Epson website, on Henry Wilhelm's website, and on the Epson Leben list, many users are experiencing dramatic orange color shift -- in some cases, the shifts occur literally overnight!
One theory is that the 870/1270 ink and prmium glossy combination is sensitive to ozone. Whatever the cause, it is clear that the cyan ink can fade suddenly, resulting in a color shift to orange.
For now, the problem seems to be limited to the 870/1270 ink + premium glossy paper combination. I have, however, seen a few reports of orange shifts from users trying out other papers. Caveat emptor!
I noticed the orange color shift in some of my prints form the 1270 on glossy premium paper that were exposed to the air. However prints from the same print run, which were under other prints, had not shifted color. I am following the recommendation to cover my prints for 24 hours with regular paper.
This little hassle to protect the print on glossy premium paper does not compare with the hassle of having my super B dye-sub prints treated to resist fading and other deterioration. I think anyone who has used chemicals to extend the life of inkjet or dye-sub prints will find this little glitch easy to work around.
What I'd like to know, as an owner of the Photo 1200, is what's the big deal with the so called archival quality of the inks, that they only work with the 1270. Why can't Epson just squirt some of the new inks into cartridges designed for the 1200 and offer us the same potential archival qualities as 1270 owners? You mean to tell me that there is something special with the new inks that only the new printer can use?
So I'm up a creek as far as getting longer lasting prints because Epson blind sided some of us who bought the 1200.
What a joke.
Mark Harris
Mark Harris Photography
P.S. I hope it costs Epson a bundle both in $$s and bad public relations for the problem of the orange shift. Serves 'em right.
Note to HP, Canon, or any other printer vendor: Epson's just given you your opening to begin the process of taking away market share from them by offering a better product. Take advantage.
Submitted by mharris240 on Fri, 01/05/2001 - 21:52.
This article seemed like a great review of product I'm interested in purchasing, except for all the contradictory information! The sidebar states the target user for the Epson 1270 is artisit and designers, then, toward the end of the article, states that the printer is not so good for comping. Just what exactly would a designer do with the machine if it WEREN'T used for comping? Does the author mean proofing? My clients will put up with not-so-crisp type as long as I explain that I'm showing them a COMP, not an actual printed piece for proofing. I wish the author would have made it clear as to what was meant here, it could impact on my decision to purchase.
Submitted by J.Everett on Wed, 06/21/2000 - 05:08.
I think the author was stating that, as it shipped - without PostScript support - it's not really a printer designed to show clients comps (or proofs). You can use it for Photoshop and general tasks, and for some instances, you _can_ comp with it, but you'll really need some extra s/w - Epson's StylusRIP, PressReady, Birmy's PowerRIP or Infowave's StyleScript - if you want to use this as a comping device in the true sense of the word. (The fact that there aren't any of those RIPs available for this printer yet lessens its value right now, but that will disappear with their availability.)
What about the crippling orange color shift?
Alas, many users have found that 870/1270 prints do NOT have the advertised longevity. According to reports on the Epson website, on Henry Wilhelm's website, and on the Epson Leben list, many users are experiencing dramatic orange color shift -- in some cases, the shifts occur literally overnight!
One theory is that the 870/1270 ink and prmium glossy combination is sensitive to ozone. Whatever the cause, it is clear that the cyan ink can fade suddenly, resulting in a color shift to orange.
For now, the problem seems to be limited to the 870/1270 ink + premium glossy paper combination. I have, however, seen a few reports of orange shifts from users trying out other papers. Caveat emptor!
Orange Color Shift
I noticed the orange color shift in some of my prints form the 1270 on glossy premium paper that were exposed to the air. However prints from the same print run, which were under other prints, had not shifted color. I am following the recommendation to cover my prints for 24 hours with regular paper.
This little hassle to protect the print on glossy premium paper does not compare with the hassle of having my super B dye-sub prints treated to resist fading and other deterioration. I think anyone who has used chemicals to extend the life of inkjet or dye-sub prints will find this little glitch easy to work around.
I also trust Epson will correct this problem.
What's the deal with the 1270 ink set?
What I'd like to know, as an owner of the Photo 1200, is what's the big deal with the so called archival quality of the inks, that they only work with the 1270. Why can't Epson just squirt some of the new inks into cartridges designed for the 1200 and offer us the same potential archival qualities as 1270 owners? You mean to tell me that there is something special with the new inks that only the new printer can use?
So I'm up a creek as far as getting longer lasting prints because Epson blind sided some of us who bought the 1200.
What a joke.
Mark Harris
Mark Harris Photography
P.S. I hope it costs Epson a bundle both in $$s and bad public relations for the problem of the orange shift. Serves 'em right.
Note to HP, Canon, or any other printer vendor: Epson's just given you your opening to begin the process of taking away market share from them by offering a better product. Take advantage.
Who is the target user for this printer?
This article seemed like a great review of product I'm interested in purchasing, except for all the contradictory information! The sidebar states the target user for the Epson 1270 is artisit and designers, then, toward the end of the article, states that the printer is not so good for comping. Just what exactly would a designer do with the machine if it WEREN'T used for comping? Does the author mean proofing? My clients will put up with not-so-crisp type as long as I explain that I'm showing them a COMP, not an actual printed piece for proofing. I wish the author would have made it clear as to what was meant here, it could impact on my decision to purchase.
RE>comping
I think the author was stating that, as it shipped - without PostScript support - it's not really a printer designed to show clients comps (or proofs). You can use it for Photoshop and general tasks, and for some instances, you _can_ comp with it, but you'll really need some extra s/w - Epson's StylusRIP, PressReady, Birmy's PowerRIP or Infowave's StyleScript - if you want to use this as a comping device in the true sense of the word. (The fact that there aren't any of those RIPs available for this printer yet lessens its value right now, but that will disappear with their availability.)