wes · 02-15-2006, 10:26 PM

Does anyone know if you can run pigment inks in the HP Designjet 500? I know the black is pigment and the colors are dye, so why couldn't I run pigment colors. I've checked everywhere on the internet but there are no companies that sell pigment ink cartridges or refills for this printer. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Rick · 02-16-2006, 11:06 AM

I used to work as an inkjet engineer for HP formulating inks for desktop & large-format printers. The pigmented inks have more reliability concerns due to the fact that the pigment particles are big "chunks" compared to the small, dissolved dye molecules. The printheads, ink delivery systems, wipers, etc. are all designed from day one to work with either dye or pigment inks. A printer designed to work with dyes probably won't have the ability to deal w pigment inks very well.

-Rick

wes · 02-16-2006, 12:54 PM

Thanks Rick for the info. Looks like I'll purchase the epson 7600 or 7500. I see you have an epson. Are there many problems with these printers?

bpatrick3 · 02-16-2006, 04:24 PM

Wes, are you asking about a DesignJet 500 or 5000(wide format)

wes · 02-16-2006, 06:25 PM

The designjet 500 (24"). I know the 5000 or 5500 can use the UV inks. Also the designjet 2XXX - 3XXX can use pigment inks.

Rick · 02-16-2006, 09:26 PM

Wes;
I have an Epson 9600 w 7-color UltraChrome inkset (photo black option). No problems with it for almost three years. I typically print on Epson photo luster, 3M 8522, Epson canvas, Epson Enhanced matte, and Somerset Velvet. This printer is optimized for photo & fine art reproduction. Best thing I ever did was to learn how to make my own custom ICC profiles. What a difference compared to the profiles that came with my RIP or the ones you can download from the manufacturer. If you use Onyx RIP & any of the above media, I'd be happy to email you some profiles. However, You'd probably want to buy the Epson 9800 now that it's available. Good luck.
-Rick

Randy-CGPD · 02-16-2006, 09:52 PM

I would check the prices on consumables before you commit to the the older epson. I use the HP5500 UV with great success. Does everything I need for a cheaper Thermal Printer. I also think it's faster that the epsons you mentioned and I have notice very little banding issues compared to the forementioned epsons. A local competitor runs similar, perhaps newer (9600) epsons and clients who have purchase displays (prints) from us and the other guy have loved to quality of the HP better.

My 2cents.

02-15-2006, 10:26 PM	#1
wes Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Digby, Nova Scotia Posts: 16 Printer: HP Z2100	hp 500 Does anyone know if you can run pigment inks in the HP Designjet 500? I know the black is pigment and the colors are dye, so why couldn't I run pigment colors. I've checked everywhere on the internet but there are no companies that sell pigment ink cartridges or refills for this printer. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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02-16-2006, 11:06 AM	#2
Rick Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 144 Printer: Roland 545ex, HP5500uv 60", Epson 9600	I used to work as an inkjet engineer for HP formulating inks for desktop & large-format printers. The pigmented inks have more reliability concerns due to the fact that the pigment particles are big "chunks" compared to the small, dissolved dye molecules. The printheads, ink delivery systems, wipers, etc. are all designed from day one to work with either dye or pigment inks. A printer designed to work with dyes probably won't have the ability to deal w pigment inks very well. -Rick

02-16-2006, 12:54 PM	#3
wes Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Digby, Nova Scotia Posts: 16 Printer: HP Z2100	Thanks Rick for the info. Looks like I'll purchase the epson 7600 or 7500. I see you have an epson. Are there many problems with these printers?

02-16-2006, 04:24 PM	#4
bpatrick3 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbiana,Ohio Posts: 212 Printer: HP Design Jet 3000, SP540V, Orca I 55" laminator	Wes, are you asking about a DesignJet 500 or 5000(wide format)

02-16-2006, 06:25 PM	#5
wes Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Digby, Nova Scotia Posts: 16 Printer: HP Z2100	The designjet 500 (24"). I know the 5000 or 5500 can use the UV inks. Also the designjet 2XXX - 3XXX can use pigment inks.

02-16-2006, 09:26 PM	#6
Rick Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 144 Printer: Roland 545ex, HP5500uv 60", Epson 9600	Wes; I have an Epson 9600 w 7-color UltraChrome inkset (photo black option). No problems with it for almost three years. I typically print on Epson photo luster, 3M 8522, Epson canvas, Epson Enhanced matte, and Somerset Velvet. This printer is optimized for photo & fine art reproduction. Best thing I ever did was to learn how to make my own custom ICC profiles. What a difference compared to the profiles that came with my RIP or the ones you can download from the manufacturer. If you use Onyx RIP & any of the above media, I'd be happy to email you some profiles. However, You'd probably want to buy the Epson 9800 now that it's available. Good luck. -Rick

02-16-2006, 09:52 PM	#7
Randy-CGPD Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada Posts: 6 Printer: HP5500PS-UV-42	I would check the prices on consumables before you commit to the the older epson. I use the HP5500 UV with great success. Does everything I need for a cheaper Thermal Printer. I also think it's faster that the epsons you mentioned and I have notice very little banding issues compared to the forementioned epsons. A local competitor runs similar, perhaps newer (9600) epsons and clients who have purchase displays (prints) from us and the other guy have loved to quality of the HP better. My 2cents.

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