Epson 1280 and paper thickness

[venchka]

I need to start printing photogrphs on my antique Epson 1280. I bought the printer when it was the latest & greatest. Since then I haven't printed more than a dozen photos on it.

Fast forward: It's time to dust off the Epson 1280 and start printing photographs. I am totally gobsmacked by the bewildering array of papers on the market. The Epson specs. say that the maximum paper thickness for this printer is 10.5 mils. True? False? Before I go on a quest for the "Magic Bullet" inkjet paper, am I limited to 10.5 mils or have y'all used thicker paper without any trouble?

If I can use thicker papers, what papers do y'all like?

On the other hand, I'm prepared to just buy Epson's top of the line luster paper and not fret over all the choices available.

What say ye? Thanks for your help!

 

[Rhoyle]

I used to use Epson Watercolor Paper which was 11.5 mil.

 

[venchka]

Thanks. One vote for thicker paper.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

this stuff is amazing, true FB look and feel out of my 2200 with no gloss differential, you can get it at our favorite camera store (Camera CO-OP), it is pricey but worth it.

http://www.harman-inkjet.com/products/product.asp?n=67&t=Inkjet+Baryta+Photo+Paper

I have used all the Epson line at one point or another, the Harman FB paper is better. I'm not sure how the 1280 inks will perform on it though, the 2200 works well.

I typically ran Matte Paper Heavyweight through my 1280, some Watercolor and a few others. All were thick and had no problems, I think there is a lever that raises the carriage a little higher for thicker papers, not sure though...not at home right now to check.

good luck,
Todd

 

[venchka]

Thanks Todd. I'm remembering the same lever flipping thing. I really do want to try the Harmon papers.

Are you using the gloss or matte finish Harmon paper? I see Harmon lists settings for the Epson 1280. It must work. I had not noticed that before.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

I use the FB glossy, I see they have a new warmtone paper which may work better with "black only" printing on the 1280, the black inks are really a warmtone anyway.

Todd

 

[venchka]

Thanks. I see a 5 sheet sample pack of the matte paper in my future.

 

[venchka]

Epson 1280 Update

Epson 1280 Update

I got the rascal re-installed for the first time since pre-Katrina. The printer had not been used since before September, 2005. I installed new ink. Downloaded a driver for Windows XP. Ran the alignment routine. Presto! I have a wide carriage printer again. Only took a little over two hours.

Westley, if you're reading this, the Moab Entrada Natural 300 works perfectly. The paper, more like posterboard at 22.5 mil, goes through the 1280 slick as a whistle. I flipped the thickness lever to the envelop position. Piece of cake! I cheated and printed in black only. No magenta. The Step Wedge JPEG looks good. This is not a warm tone paper. At least not for me. I also printed something for you.

It looks like I'm in the inkjet printing business.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[venchka]

Epson 1280 & Moab Entrada Natural 300

Epson 1280 & Moab Entrada Natural 300

All was not good in Wood County. The Moab Entrada Natural paper printed colors horribly red with the Moab furnished ICC profile. :bang:

After trying everything I could think of and wasting too many sheets of paper, I switched to the Epson furnished ICC profile. Success! Lisa even said that the pictures of her grand children were beautiful!

Lesson Learned: Don't trust profiles from Moab. The Epson 1280 printer works great! Even after sitting idle for over 2 1/2 years. 😎

 

[venchka]

Update

Update

Moab Entrada Natural Rag 300 ROCKS!

For black and white at least. With minimal processing of the scans. The prints on the Moab paper show much more delicate details and tonal gradation than the Epson paper that I have.

A note on Epson Premium Luster paper: When I print in black only the prints look green to me. I can't explain it at all.