Disc Printers

[osbornes5]

Well it finally happened. My Epson R220 has apparently paassed on. Served me very well for printing disc faces. However, since I haven't bought one in some time, I need to know what folks are using these days that works well. I was considering an eBay R300 or R320. Need input! Thanks!

[HankCastello]

Sorry to hear about your 220.  We're on our last one.  Looking forward to some good responses here.  Was in Best Buy (Ft Smith, AR) and didn't see a single disc printer.  Will look in Seattle this weekend.

[kwshaw1]

I'm still using an Epson 220 and 320, and their web site lists current models in the "Artisan" and Stylus Photo series. A few videographers have reported success with some Canon-brand printers, but you may have to jump through some hoops to get the parts needed to print discs on those.

[BillGrant]

I found a R280 at Ritz last year when my R320 "reached the end of its life" according to the LCD. I'm not sure if they're still available.
Bill

[Cole]

My R220 is still hanging in there but I needed an all in one so I went with the Epson Artisan 800. The print quality for discs is outstanding but overall I am only mildly happy with the unit. It was $300 when I bought last year so for that price I had high expectations considering how much I loved the $75 R220. Well for starters the Artisan uses Claria "Hi-Definition" Ink($$$) and I am replacing the ink at least twice as often as I did on the R220 when it was my primary printer. I think they have come out with a new version (810) and it is getting good reviews on B&H. The 710 loses the fax and is a bit cheaper ($180ish) but unavailable at B&H.

I wouldn't buy it just for disc printing but if you need a fax, scanner, and/or standard printer in addition to the disc printing this one will suffice. I will say the disc loading mechanism is much better than the R220. This has a drawer that pops out and you place the disc in it. No more trays and arrows to line up.

Good Luck
Cole

[osbornes5]

I found a R280 at Ritz last year when my R320 "reached the end of its life" according to the LCD. I'm not sure if they're still available.

Bill, when that pops up, there is still oodles of life left in that printer. All that has happened is that the ink sponge thingy that soaks up the ink when you start it up or clean the heads manually, has supposedly gotten full. However, they use a counter to determine when the thing "should" be full. They don't want you getting ink on stuff, ruining it, and suing them so they build lots of pad into that number.  Here is a link to one such counter resetter but there are a bunch of places where you can find them. https://www.fastweb.co.uk/page-net/programs/sscserve.exe

Or just Google search for "Epson printer counter resetter" or something close. These things work like a charm and will get you lots more life without replacing that pad. Beware you might want to set the printer on an old towel or soemthing...just in case.

[HankCastello]

We actually have a link right in these forums to a tried and true copy of the counter resetter which resides right here on this server.  (Use the search feature on these boards to find it).