3rd Party inks for Epson Pro 3880

[Harry Briels]

I am using for quite some time Lyson inks on my Epson Pro 3880.
I am quite happy with these inks which I can buy in Germany. This avoids the hassle and charges of customs and often high international transportation costs when purchased in the USA.

I just read that Cone has a sales office in France for the European market.
I now have the choice between Cone Color Pro inks and the Lyson AQ880 inks at almost the same price

Does anybody have using experience with both inks and what is the preferred ink (why) ?
Thanks for reply,
Harry

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

I briefly tested these inks, as well the precisioncolors PCK3 HD version for the P600/800, in a R800 for use on glossy papers together with a gloss optimizer. These inks are all premium inks, together with the Lyson inks, with a very wide gamut, a good black level and still some visible bronzing and gloss differential but visibly less than with other pigment inks, these effects are not just a matter of the inks but need to be seen in combination with the paper in use, and the personal sensitivity to these effects. I would rate (my personal judgement, because it's not possible for me to measure anything) the ConeColor Pro together with the PCK3HD as the best, slightly better than the Lyson inks, and with somewhat close followers from China which come at budget prices. Some other pigment inks - like InkTec or OCP , and as well other Chinese inks fare much worse in comparison, strong differences in gloss between colors and with stronger bronzing. It's overall a pretty complex situation - lots of inks on lots of different papers + your personal judgement what you like better (and with some cost considerations in mind). I'm currently settled on some Chinese inks via Aliexpress as a compromise. I only can recommend to do some testing with your paper(s) and observe some additional effects - a print (glossy paper) with pigment inks coming out of the printer looks different to one which could dry for a day, or at least overnight.

 

[Harry Briels]

Dear Print Master;
Thanks you for useful response.
I'll try Cone ink as soon as I need new ink supply.
Harry