Epson’s current crop of successful pro-level, pigment-based printers—the Stylus Photo R2400 (13”), Stylus Pro 4800 (17”), Stylus Pro 7800 (24”) and Stylus Pro 9800 (44”)—use the same UltraChrome K3 inkset. However, the Stylus Pro 3800, has a ninth cartridge slot to allow for automatic switching between Matte and Photo Black inks, with minimal ink usage when making the switch (1.5 to 4.5ml total, depending upon whether the change is from Photo to Matte Black or vice versa). With a smaller printhead and a streamlined design, the 17-inch wide printer weighs 43.2 pounds, approximately half the weight of the Stylus Pro 4800. Image permanence ratings are expected to be similar to other UltraChrome K3 printers (60 to 200 years under normal gallery conditions). The 3800’s driver also comes with Epson’s Advanced Black and White mode built-in, which allows photographers to produce more neutral and even-toned prints.
    The printer ships with a set of nine full ink cartridges (80ml each), as well as USB 2.0 and Ethernet ports (a $300 option on Epson’s other Stylus Pro models). Paper feed options address a number of concerns for photographers: a top-loading high capacity feeder can hold up to 120 sheets from 4 x 6 to 17 x 22 inches; a second top-loading manual sheet feeder is optimized for fine-art papers; and a front straight-through manual sheet feeder allows for single sheet loading of media up to 1.5mm. All of the paper paths will allow for borderless printing on sheets as small as 4 x 6 inches.
    Epson also offers the Gemini K3 Portrait Printing System (approximately $6,995, www.epsongemini.com) in addition to the UltraChrome K3 printers. It includes an Epson Stylus Pro 4800 (17-inch-wide printer) with built-in Ethernet connectivity, a hardware RIP, touch-screen color display and a printer stand. The Gemini K3 system comes with Mac- and Windows-compatible layout software designed to help high-volume photographers create color-accurate prints and print packages on a variety of papers with workflow tools similar to those used in photo labs.

Retail price: $1,295 (Stylus Pro 3800--pictured)
Further information: www.epson.com