Epson Stylus Photo 2200 Ink Jet Printer (C11C387011)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description Designed with the serious graphics user in mind, Epson's Stylus Photo 2200 is stylish and fast and comes packed with user-friendly features. With Epson's new seven-color UltraChrome inks and three times as many nozzles as the popular Stylus 2000P, the 2200 is able to print 8-by-10-inch color photos in under two minutes (in fine mode). The UltraChrome inks are formulated to resist water and light damage and to ensure longevity, all while providing more colors than any other pigment ink on the market.


The versatile 2200 makes it easy to print on envelopes, roll paper, and many types and sizes of single-sheet paper. A maximum resolution of 2,880 x 1,440 dpi (both color and black and white) results in amazingly accurate prints. The 4-picoliter droplets are the equivalent of 2-picoliter droplets in ordinary dye-base systems, resulting in ultrafine detail and clarity. Interchangeable standard and matte black ink cartridges help you get the best quality from black-and-white prints, while the included Film Factory(TM) with PRINT Image Matching Support software ensures that prints from compatible digital cameras are true to the original image.
The 2200 supports a wide variety of paper types, including glossy, semi-glossy, luster, matte, and Epson's velvet fine art paper, as well as large-format sizes up to 13 by 44 inches. With the included roll paper holder and built-in automatic cutter, you can print borderless images easily, while a photo catcher neatly stacks multiple prints as they are cut.
Compatible with both Mac and PC systems, the 2200 comes backed with a one-year Epson exchange warranty.
What's in the Box Printer, AC power supply and cord, seven ink cartridges (cyan, light cyan, magenta, light magenta, yellow, light black, photo black), roll paper holder accessory, roll paper cutter and catcher; printer cable not included

Epson Stylus Photo 2200 This phenomenal Micro Piezo inkjet printer is the first to employ seven pigment inks, and the result is color depth and fidelity beyond the capability of any inkjet machine to date. Epson UltraChrome Ink use a special technology that delivers the highest color gamut of any inkjet pigment ink. An innovative individual cartridge system makes for more efficient use of these durable, fade resistant archival color supplies. Requires Windows 98, 2000, ME, XP or Mac OS 8.6 to 9.x and OS X 10.1+. 500 MHz+ processor, 128MB+ RAM, 200MB+ hard disk space, CD-ROM Dimensions - 24.3 (l) x 34.1 (w) x 15.4 (h) Weight - 25.7 lbs. Actual print speed will vary according to use

Product Details

• Item Weight: 39 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 42 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000067V0A
  

Technical Details

• 2,880 x 1,440 dpi maximum resolution in black and color
• Roll paper holder and built-in automatic cutter
• Economical ink system with 7 separate UltraChrome cartridges
• Interchangeable standard and matte ink cartridges for black-and-white prints
• USB, Firewire and Parallel interfaces

Customer Reviews

I researched photo printers for weeks and read all the reviews. I wanted a dedicated photo printer for the best prints so I did not care about text or speed. I had decided on the Epson 960 based on the PC World review that rated it just below the 2200 and above the Canons. I went to Compusa and they did not have a 960 and were sold out of the 2200 for weeks. While I was looking at the other printers a shipment of 2200's rolled in, so I bought one. I compared identical prints from the 2200 to an Ofoto print on photographic based paper and I can say they are equivalent. The 2200 had a little less contrast but better shadow detail. With magnification the the grain was about the same on both prints. I used Premium Glossy paper. You do get some obscuring sheen when you look at the 2200 prints at an angle due the pigment based ink, but it is not a problem in my opinion. I then compared these to prints from my Epson Photo 780. With the naked eye there is not much detectable difference, but with magnification you can see the ink pattern on the 780 prints. The skin tones were not as realistic. I expect with various photos the differences would become more readily apparent. I think the 2200 is a great printer but a bit expensive. The 960 may be a good choice for less $$. I wish I could have compared them side by side.
Addendum: Upon more research I've learned a big advantage of this printer over the 960 is the Ultrachrome pigment ink, which is water resistant and good for 80 years. All of the dye based inks apparently will start to fade in just a few years (or some in just a few months). There are also compatible generic papers (try Redriverpaper.com). This printer uses the same inks and has similar quality to Epson professional printers ... Getting the best prints with the 2200 may require a little tweaking of the settings and adjustments in Photoshop or the like, where you can set the contrast and color saturation to suit your eye. Plan to use some paper and ink experimenting. Professional photographers and artists like this printer a lot. It is outstanding for black and white and for artistic papers such as matte and card stock, and of course it prints pics up to 13 inches wide and 40+ long. If you want the best and have the know-how (or want to learn), this is the printer to get.

Yes, I've read some of the other reviews on this printer and some good points are made on which papers to use for the best quality prints. But I can't agree with only 2 or 3 stars either. Standard glossy paper hasn't done well for for me for some reason, neither was I impressed with Epsons archival matte paper either, but others I know like it. However, media choice is the key to getting this printer to reach its optimum potential. Using Epsons line of premium papers produces photos that rival any I have had done at pro photo labs.
I am extremely fond of the Premium Luster and Premium Semi-gloss papers. The colors are very well saturated with very good contrast. After scanning the negs and doing some minimal touch-up in photoshop to my liking, I import the files to film factory. Film factory is bundled with this printer and is a very user friendly application to make printing quite easy. Yes, there is a small learning curve to see what this printer likes, but, it didn't take long before I was producing prints that you couldn't tell from the photo lab. In fact, after some adjustment on portraits especially, I liked mine better. The quality is excellent!
Ink usage is not bad overall, with the exception of the light inks especially the light magenta which seems to be its favorite to use, followed closely by light cyan and light black. However, because each color is in its own cartridge makes it to where you change only those that run low and not all of the colors at once.
Set up was easy and we were printing in just a short time. But as I said the learning curve on media use sure wasted some ink and paper. I cannot stress enough using the premium papers with this printers while also having sufficient file size for the larger prints. I've run several different 20MB 8X10's that were tack sharp on the 1440 setting. However I prefer files of 30-plus megs and larger for most 8X10's and 11X14's.
With just a little practice, anyone can be printing like a pro right from your desktop. Yes there are cheaper ones out there, but I've learned you get what you pay for. And, it depends on your needs. But for prints that will rival most film labs, the 2200 is a winner.