Hello, new & seeking advice

[Smith92]

Hi there, I've just joined as hoping some of you may be able to help me. I would like to find a printer which can print B2 (500x700mm) recyclable wrapping paper on recycled vegan paper using vegetable inks. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you

 

[stratman]

Welcome to the forum, Smith92. An interesting question.

What specific paper and ink will you be using. Is the paper single sheets or rolls? These details may be helpful.

 

[Smith92]

Hi @stratman and thank you

I'm afraid its a bit chicken and egg - I'm still trying to identify the exact paper, ink and printer, but without a starting point its hard to find compatible combinations. So open to suggestions! I expect single sheets though

 

[stratman]

It seems you are looking for a Large Format Printer to handle B4 paper size. They do not come cheap.

Knowing what you want to use with the printer could be quite helpful. Is the finished product the most important thing for you, or, will anything do? Knowing what you want as the end product may make printer selection simpler.

The composition of the paper and the inks used influence the type of printer (pigment or dye-based inks). Is the paper like that of a paper bag or does it have a surface like Christmas wrapping paper that poorly absorbs certain inks? What thickness (paper weight) will the paper have?

Yours is an unusual request on the forum. Hopefully someone with knowledge for your special needs will respond soon.

 

[Smith92]

It seems you are looking for a Large Format Printer to handle B4 paper size. They do not come cheap.

Knowing what you want to use with the printer could be quite helpful. Is the finished product the most important thing for you, or, will anything do? Knowing what you want as the end product may make printer selection simpler.

The composition of the paper and the inks used influence the type of printer (pigment or dye-based inks). Is the paper like that of a paper bag or does it have a surface like Christmas wrapping paper that poorly absorbs certain inks? What thickness (paper weight) will the paper have?

Yours is an unusual request on the forum. Hopefully someone with knowledge for your special needs will respond soon.

It seems you are looking for a Large Format Printer to handle B4 paper size. They do not come cheap.

Knowing what you want to use with the printer could be quite helpful. Is the finished product the most important thing for you, or, will anything do? Knowing what you want as the end product may make printer selection simpler.

The composition of the paper and the inks used influence the type of printer (pigment or dye-based inks). Is the paper like that of a paper bag or does it have a surface like Christmas wrapping paper that poorly absorbs certain inks? What thickness (paper weight) will the paper have?

Yours is an unusual request on the forum. Hopefully someone with knowledge for your special needs will respond soon.

Thank you, yes quality of the finished product will be important but I suspect paper like a paper bag and 100gsm or similar.

Yes aware it will be a big investment so keen to understand as much as possible and make the best selection!
Thank you

 

[Smith92]

For example, do you think an Epson SureColor SC-T3400 A1 Colour Large Format Printer would be suitable & how would I find a good quality vegetable ink to work well with the machine?

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

You may look for the Epson T3100x which is an Ecotank model, and you easily can do refill with it. The printer comes with dye inks but you could switch to pigment inks as well like in the base model T3100 - or swap to edible inks, Canon compatible inks run on Epson printers alike. You may search for edible ink in your country which is not visible, but there are several companies selling those like this one in Germany

https://www.druckerpatronentankstel...=/Shops/81246086/Categories/LEBENSMITTELTINTE

 

[stratman]

For example, do you think

I have no idea. I am a Canon guy.I wanted to get the process going for you and now Epson expert InkStainedFingers is on board.

Make sure the printer can do what you want as you've already outlined. Consider giving Epson Sales a call and ask them their thoughts on what you plan on doing before purchasing. If they haven't a clue then ask to speak to someone higher up the food chain or speak with Tech Support. Ask them if this work will void the warranty. Consider remaining anonymous - first name only.

Lastly, try talking with businesses that are doing the same or similar printing work. The trick, besides finding one, is not coming off as direct competition.

Look forward to reading about your journey and how things work out.

 

[Smith92]

Thank you very much - great insight & suggestions from both of you I'm in the UK and will follow up these ideas!

 

[Smith92]

So I initially liked the look of the Epson T3100x and called Epson, but they advised strongly against using vegetable inks, saying this may break the printer. When I asked for more information on Epson inks, the information they pointed me to included a long list of testing done on animals, which is also disappointing.

So my new questions to the pros: Are there any vegan Large Format Printers? Thanks in advance