It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve checked in.  Blame it on the new (to me) Epson 3880.  The Epson Stylus Pro 3880 is a (relatively) compact printer that replaces the well-liked 3800 model, with features including the Epson UltraChrome K3 8-color inkset, with the new Vivid Magenta ink; a new MicroPiezo Advanced Meniscus Control printing head; and the AccuPhoto HD2 droplet placement technology.  I have a bunch of detailed remarks of course, but after one week of pretty heavy use, I can state simply and without hesitation that this printer is the real deal.  Although the 3880 is the entry-level printer in the Epson Pro line, the performance is a clear notch above offerings in Epson’s consumer inkjet line.  Not to take anything away from Epson’s excellent consumer printers, it’s just that the 3880 is, to be clear, a lot better.

The 3880 is shown above, midway through a 13″ x 19″ print (okay, right, it’s a 12″ x 18″ print on a 13″ x 19″ sheet – that’s the way I print ’em!).  The manual rear feed adapter is set up here since the substrate is Epson Velvet Fine Art paper – it’s 19 mil!

The system sets up very easily.  Honestly, the most challenging part of the setup is the removal of several dozen pieces of tape and small bits that are used to secure the system during shipping.  The first print out of the 3880; on Epson Ultra Premium Luster Photo Paper, looks fantastic!  This was a tough image too – Wotan’s Throne shot from from Cape Royal on the north rim of the Grand Canyon at dawn – and while on lesser printers the shadows plug and the highlights are dim, on the 3880 the rendering is just magic.

So whom are the ‘& Friends’ mentioned in the title?  Since a printer can only be as good as the paper it’s printing on, aka its friends, I’ll also report on a wide range of substrates.

Copyright 2010 Peter F. Flynn. No usage permitted without prior written consent. All rights reserved.