Epson Stylus Photo 1280 Inkjet Printer (Silver)

• Continuous tone quality for prints that look like traditional photographs
• Noticeably smoother transitions and truer flesh tones
• Beautiful contrast
• plus laser sharp black text
• Prints 4" x 6"
• 5" x 7"
• 8" x 10"
• letter-size
• 11" x 14"
• and 13" x 19" e
  
  Amazon.com Product Description
  Epson's Stylus Photo 1280S is a large format, photo-quality printer perfect for a wide variety of professional and home uses. With a high 2,880 x 720 dpi resolution, six-color ink palette, and Epson's Micro Piezo inkjet technology, the 1280S produces exceptionally crisp and detailed prints. This printer also offers BorderFree printing--the image goes right to the edge of the paper.

  Supported photo sizes include 4-by-6, 5-by-7, 8-by-10, letter, 11-by-14, and 13-by-19 inches. A wide variety of paper types are also supported, including photo papers, roll papers (with included roll paper holder), inkjet transparencies, self-adhesive sheets, greeting cards, banner paper, labels, and envelopes. Media sizes range from 3-by-5 cards up to large-format 13-by-44-inch posters. Epson claims that when stored under normal conditions, images are water and light resistant for up to 25 years.

  Compatible with both Mac and PC platforms, the 1280S's software bundle comes with both Epson's Film Factory and Adobe's Photoshop Elements 2.0 to help users get the best possible prints. Epson also provides a one-year limited warranty.

  What's in the Box
  Epson Stylus Photo 1280 inkjet printer, one black ink cartridge (T007201), one color ink cartridge (T009201), roll paper holder accessory, printer documentation, Epson Software Film Factory, PRINT Image Matching Plug-In for Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0; cable not included
  
  

As an advertising copywriter, I depend on this printer to make new copies of my work and it comes through every time.

Now, this is not the perfect printer, because it does drink ink something fierce, but the print outs are worth it, just ask any professional.

In fact, it was a photographer who first turned me on to this machine. At the time I was looking at a Lexmark or HP.

As any graphic designer will tell you HP's are word processing printers and with only rare exceptions any good at graphics and Lexmark is just to be avoided. You get what you pay for, and with Lexmark that isn't much.

Epson wrote the book on graphics and photo reproduction printing and with the 1280 they have added another proud chapter.


it's worth the invest ment   September 22, 2005
Kenji Tomihara (los angeles, CA USA)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

As a dedicated Epson user I am still amazed with the 1280. For the last few years the Epson 2200 had been my pride and joy but a few months ago I found a 1280 trashed on the side walk in Hollywood California and I am truly glad I pick it up. With a little T.L.C. I managed to clean out the nozzles and get it running. Reading a few of the reviews on this website I learned that the 1280 is an ink slayer and did my research on another product called Mediastreet Niagara Plug-N-Play System. Niagara Plug-N-Play is a bulk dye based ink system that works grate if not better than the factory inks. As a wedding photographer I need to print hundreds of prints at a time and the Epson 1280 with the Niagara System has been my most reliable printer set up till this day. In fact I am setting up another 1280 with the Niagara system for another one of my PC.

Not: the 1280 will produce really nice prints at 11X17, and 13X19,
But the 2200,because of its seventh color, still has much more detail around shadowy arias, but unless you put a magnifying glass up to it I do not think you'll notice it.



Excellent Quality but Helps to Know What You're Doing   February 2, 2004
David S Habercom (Knoxville, TN United States)
18 out of 20 found this review helpful

I have used the 1280 for about a year-and-a-half, mainly to print fine art photographs in large format. I use a quad black ink set from Lyson, rather than Epson inks. The machine absolutely delivers. It is consistent, reliable, and has remarkable paper handling ability.

The head does have a propensity for clogging, since it is permanently attached to the printer and does not get replaced with each cartridge. However, I have found that cleaning the storage cap (right side, parked position) from time to time (with lint-free cloth!) helps. I also print a small full-gamut image once a week, if I am not cranking out the big stuff.

Always check a company's web site for updated drivers when installing! My drivers (XP Pro/Presario) have been well-mannered. Also, if you aren't satisfied with the image, keep testing the profiles that come with the 1280. Be patient. It took me a while to get the right combination, even though Lyson provided profiles for its own ink set. But once I got it, I was off to the races.

I am about to start printing fine art color, and for that I will buy a second 1280. Call me satisfied.


Home Designer's Dream Machine   December 11, 2003
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

My wife runs a graphic design shop from our home, and has needed a new proofing printer for some time. I also wanted a printer that could handle large format photos that have been digitally enhanced. Our last Textronix printer cost us more than $10k, so we initially overlooked this printer since it's price was so low. However, when we reviewed all of the features, we decided that the price of this printer was a drop in the bucket if it could work for even simple proofs. We have been stunned and amazed at how incredible and color accurate the prints have turned out.
We use both Mac OS 9.x, and Win Me with this printer. To use design (postscript) apps like Quark, Illustrator, PageMaker, etc. we purchased the Epson Stylus Rip (since printer is raster-only). Prints are speedy and gorgeous at 720dpi, and the (much) slower 1440 are only marginally better looking. We purchased a wide spectrum of media (that ended up costing more than the printer). Duponts SuperB commercial paper is the most expensive, but is choice for selling to clients as proofs. We found it's important to choose paper settings provided by Epson to get the best quality prints.
Setup was relatively easy, and software works just fine. We love this printer.


Super great printer   August 25, 2003
Daniel w Presley (Boardman, Ohio United States)
15 out of 17 found this review helpful

I have owned the 1280 a little over a year now and find it to be an excellent photo printing machine.

I have entered two pictures at the fair, printed by my 1280, and have won ribbons on both.

I have had no break-downs with the printer. The quality is very good.

Dan