Epson 3880 instruction sheet Setting Up, On Trial, Big And Better, Epson, Stylus Pro

ON TRIAL

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EPSON

STYLUS PRO 3880

BIG AND BETTER

The desktop-sized A2 format

3800 was a huge success with photographers who have lowish printing volume requirements so its replacement has a lot to live up to. Report by Trevern Dawes.

The Epson Stylus Pro 3880 in closed down mode.

E pson’s Stylus Pro 3800 has enjoyed the status of being the most popular A2 printer,

but after three years it’s been replaced by the Pro 3880 model which has to meet the challenge of being equally – or even more – successful.

Like its predecessor, the Stylus Pro 3880 is an ideal printer for both the professional’s studio and the enthusiast’s study because it presents well as a relatively compact and elegant ‘box’, is easy to set up and equally easy to operate. Prints made with it in both colour and black and white leave little to be desired. The lack of a roll paper capability is reflected in the appealing price, but isn’t a feature many will miss when using single sheet feed is the prime intention (even if these sheets are cut down from paper rolls to the maxi- mum paper handling of 950x432 mm).

This sleek black-and-silver printer has a pull- out rear automatic sheet feeder and a drop-down receiving tray at front. These fold neatly away when the printer isn’t in use. The rear manual paper feed is a separate item that’s attached when required.

Apart from the badging, there are no changes to the outer appearance compared to the 3800, but several significant changes lie within. ‘Vivid Magenta’ and ‘Vivid Light Magenta’ inks have been added to the UltraChromeK3 pigmented inkset to enhance the colour gamut, especially in the blues and purples. AccuPhoto HD2 screen- ing improves the ink placement accuracy for smoother colour and better tonal gradations. A new print head provides better colour placement and there is now an ink repellant coating to help

reduce clogging and minimise maintenance. For those keen to fully exploit their printing the Stylus Pro 3880 will accommodate 16-bit files. The front control panel with its seven buttons, three lights and a LCD info screen provide access to all func- tions and monitors precise ink levels and the print status. Three paper feed systems cover all sheet handling requirements.

Apart from the two new ‘Vivid’ inks, the remainder are the same as for the Pro 3800, however the vivid colours can’t be used in the earlier model.

Setting Up

Straight out of the box, the printer’s moving parts are so well secured with blue tape, it takes sev- eral minutes to free everything up. Thereafter it’s a case of plugging in the power cable, switching on, shaking each ink cartridge before insertion, closing the ink bay lid and waiting about seven minutes for the print head to be automatically charged. When the ‘Ready’ indicator appears

in the LCD panel, connect an USB or Ethernet cable (not supplied) and install the CD with the printer driver, user guide and software download. Altogether, set-up takes about 30 to 45 minutes, but is very simple and straightforward, aided by the “Start Here” instruction sheet.

After set-up, if you wonder why the ink levels do not register as full, it’s because about 20 percent of each cartridge (which have an 80 millilitre capacity) is used to charge the print head. Of course, all new ink cartridges thereafter will have 100 percent capacity.

The set of nine UltraChromeK3 pigmented inks. The Photo Black and Matte Black cartridges have their own individual slots.