OT: Ink cost per disc with Epson 200 printer

JackW wrote on 8/25/2004, 10:30 PM
Has anyone using the Epson DVD printer figured the ink cost/disc or, if not this, do you have a rough idea of how many discs can be printed with a single set of ink cartridges.

I don't expect exact figures, but a ballpark would be helpful in calculating the actual costs involved in creating a DVD. We've just gotten the Epson printer and I want to make sure I'm not under charging for producing discs.

Thanks.

Jack Wolcott

Comments

SeaJohn wrote on 8/25/2004, 10:51 PM
I just completed printing 96 DVDs and 66 glossy DVD full size case inserts, all in full color (some of the videos were 2 DVD). Two of the 6 cartridges emptied with about 3 covers to go. The other 4 cartridges show about 1/2 full. I started with brand new ink tanks (generic from InkDaddy.com), which cost $35 for a set. My total ink cost is about $23, or $.35 for each DVD/insert. The majority of the ink went into the covers., So I would bet that I paid less than $.10 for each DVD printed.

BTW, IMO the silver printable DVDs look much better than the white printables.
Laurence wrote on 8/25/2004, 11:04 PM
How resilient is the ink if it gets wet?
blobafatt wrote on 8/26/2004, 3:53 AM
That problem is easy to solve,

Just use a clear poster laquer spray to seal the disc after printing. Works like a charm.
In fact they now sell special CD coating in a can but it is the same thing as the poster laquer and more expensive. The spray seems to bring out the colours more in the print, and also makes it look sharper. May be an illusion but looks good.
DVDeviations wrote on 9/10/2004, 8:19 PM
Where do you buy the "clear laquer spray"?

TheHappyFriar wrote on 9/11/2004, 3:56 AM
yes, i wanna know too. :)

Anyway, I just finished off the ink that came with my R200 last week. I printed ~130 DVD's (most full color) & 11 4x6 full color pics. I put the generic carts in last week after the origionals ran out. Still looks good! :)

Soemthing you should note about replacing ink: replace them ALL at once, unless a cart has a LOT of ink left (more then 10%). When you replace carts, the printer "charges" the heads. This process uses ~2-5% ink. So, even thought I had about 3% left in each cart except the origional one that ran out, I ended up using the ink in the rest for charging. And it chargs ALL the carts at once, not just the ones you replace (so, the first cart got charged 3 times total).

Just an FYI!
DVDeviations wrote on 9/11/2004, 1:14 PM
I went to Michael's Arts and Crafts supplies store, bought "Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating 1303" and that works fine.
B.Verlik wrote on 9/11/2004, 1:49 PM
Judging by TheHappyFriar's response, that's about 75 cents per DVD, if you include the purchase of the printer and not counting future ink replacements.
TheHappyFriar wrote on 9/11/2004, 6:20 PM
yeah. I got my printer for $80 though so my origional cost was 64 cents. :)