EPSON GS6000; Big issues

[spleeng]

Anybody else have problems with this machine?
We've had this machine since March and have had problems with blue/purple/black gradients and solid fields.
This problem only happens on cast vinyl.
Before we jump to the obvious, Epson has had specialists look the machine over, sent samples back to Epson, etc.
This has gone on and on for months.
They've even replaced the machine!
The problem occurs with Onyx, but sometimes Color Burst as well.
I suspect that Epson may have rushed this machine to market before fully testing it.
My boss is ready to throw in the towel and buy a Roland.
Comments, reflections, commisrerations anyone?

 

[paulica]

Hello

We are in the market for one of these. Actually we were. Initially the salesman offered a great deal for this machine, 15k $ with Caldera RIP , media starting kit and filled with ink, and replacements. After that, when we said yes, they said no machine available, as it is EOL.

After that, we were left with two: the Latex HP or the new Epson, the SC 30610 i think it is in the us. We are now planning to buy the SC, our only worries being gamut for high quality or photo printing. Even the demomachine, the GS was suffering from constant head hits on media.

After reading a bit, we are now happy we didn't buy it. We just want, and I can recommend you also try that, looking at the SC first.

 

[Happyprinter]

We have had our Epson GS6000 & Wasatch RIP for about 8 months now and have ran about every stock thru it. Never had a color issue! We run adhesive vinyl, scrim, 190 gsm gloss paper etc.. all day long and never had an issue. Even cast vinyl on occasion, no problems. Sorry you are having issues. Paulica, the 6000 is a great machine. Have a lot of friends who run the same machine with no issues. As for head strikes, as long as you set it up properly, and that is not very difficult, you will not have any problems with head strikes. When we first got the machine we did have a few issues with head striking. After talking to Epson and our suppliers of scrim we found the problem to be a bad roll of scrim. Every 2 ft. Or so it had a ridge in the material causing the head to hit the material. Replaced the media, no more problems. As for picture reproductions we print a lot of canvas also. Stunning color and quality.

 

[paulica]

Thank you for your response. We were looking at the GS for the color and quality. The prints looked stunning, we put images head on with the latex, and the HP didn't came close. Unfortunatelly the machine can only be found used now. If the colors look ok on the SC, not a lot worse than they do on the GS, we'll probably go for the SC.

But I do agree, the GS is just about the dream machine, when it comes to quality and color.

 

[Potonka]

We have 5 GS machines, have not had too many issues. Main issues were caused by the tech when he installed one of the machines, but they replaced a couple heads a few months ago, no issues since. We run adhesive vinyls mostly, some reflective and window perf. We also use Onyx. Do you use the supplied profiles, or have you created your own. We are using all our own profiles, and had to profile each machine. Colors, gradients all look great and we use G7 method for Neutral Grey Balance. Some of the thicker materials do get some head rub, but its because the ends have been slammed on the ground and wrinkled.

 

[paulica]

Hello Potonka,

May I ask what is your business model ? Production or retail ? or both ? We are trying to push for a retail model, so we keep margins a bit higher. The reason we are looking at the SC, is that ocasionally we could handle short term production jobs.


Thanks.

 

[Potonka]

Both, but should it matter? You want smooth gradients either way I would think. So, I assume, since your margins are higher, you have custom profiles for each material?

 

[paulica]

Both, but should it matter? You want smooth gradients either way I would think. So, I assume, since your margins are higher, you have custom profiles for each material?

The reason I am after retail customers, is that for production jobs, especially banners and vinyl the prices of other providers are around 5$ for a square metter. I can match that probably, but the thing is I don't want to print 10 square for 10 different customers, on different materials and profiles and make 10 $ in profits.

Also, they print on cheap chineese equipments with chinese ink, with other costs rather than running an Epson let's say.

Retail for us is improving workflow and understanding material supply, because of the various type of jobs. Production is running after customers, and in our country problems with receiving payment for work.

 

[Potonka]

oh, crap paulica, sorry, I thought you were the one who originally posted the question. I understand what you are saying. I was just trying to help out the original question about the GS6000 and "problems with blue/purple/black gradients and solid fields".