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Entered CNET Catalog: 04/25/2002
SKU: C11C387011
Manufacturer: Epson
Manufacturer description
With 7-color UltraChrome inks, 2880 x 1440 dpi resolution, and ultra-fine 4-picoliter ink droplets, the large-format EPSON Stylus Photo 2200 delivers remarkable archival photos that last up to 90 years. It even offers true borderless photo printing in six popular sizes, plus PRINT Image Matching technology for the best quality photos from PRINT Image Matching-enabled digital cameras. The first desktop photo printer to use seven pigment inks, the EPSON Stylus Photo 2200 provides the highest quality output available from any pigment-based ink jet. And, with its innovative ink system design, complete with individual ink cartridges, it ensures the deepest, darkest blacks for prints and enlargements on both glossy and matte paper. By exchanging the Photo Black ink and optional Matte Black ink cartridges, users can optimize their black ink coverage based on the corresponding paper. Perfect for portrait or fine art photographers who need archival images, this high-speed ink jet makes it easy for anyone to create long-lasting photos and artwork on a variety of media up to 13" x 44". A power-packed performer, the EPSON Stylus Photo 2200 comes with an easy-to-use roll paper holder and automatic cutter for a quick, simple way to create borderless 4" x 6" photos. It also includes high-speed USB and FireWire IEEE 1394 connectivity, and a convenient parallel port.Product summary
The good: Excellent print quality; long-lived prints; relatively low ink costs; flexible media support and handling; FireWire interface.
The bad: Expensive; slower than we'd like.
The bottom line: Its long-lived prints, first-rate output quality, and flexible feature set are worth the high price, but it's also finicky and slow.
CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 08/06/2002
 Editors' note:
This review has been updated from its original version. For details, please see our corrections page. |
The phrase light black might seem like an oxymoron, but in the case of the Epson Stylus Photo 2200, it makes perfect sense. The unit's enhanced seven-color UltraChrome pigment-ink set and increased maximum resolution of 2,880x1,440 combine to deliver some of the best archival-quality inkjet output we've ever seen. The Epson is also very expensive, but the Stylus Photo 2200 is well worth the price for photography professionals who demand high-quality prints that will last.
| Editors' note:
This review has been updated from its original version. For details, please see our corrections page. |
The phrase light black might seem like an oxymoron, but in the case of the Epson Stylus Photo 2200, it makes perfect sense. The unit's enhanced seven-color UltraChrome pigment-ink set and increased maximum resolution of 2,880x1,440 combine to deliver some of the best archival-quality inkjet output we've ever seen. The Epson is also very expensive, but the Stylus Photo 2200 is well worth the price for photography professionals who demand high-quality prints that will last.
Follow the straight-through paper path
The $699 Stylus Photo 2200 delivers everything that professional and deep-pocketed amateur photographers could want, except built-in networking. In addition to parallel and USB 2.0/1.1 interfaces, the Stylus Photo 2200 also offers a FireWire port. Bundled accessories include a roll-paper holder, an automatic paper cutter, and a roll-paper output catch. The printer works with Windows 98 and later, as well as Mac OS 8.6 to 9.x and OS X 10.1 or later. Some of the printer's more advanced features are not supported under OS X yet, however, including the ability to hot-swap the matte-black and photo-black inks. The driver disc includes Epson's excellent Film Factory image management software, a Print Image Matching (PIM) plug-in for Adobe Photoshop, and trial versions of a variety of Photoshop plug-ins and MonacoEZcolor color management software.
To transfer your images from PC to paper, the printer also offers several paper-handling options. You have a choice of three paper paths: the standard, top-loading L-shaped; roll paper; and a straight-through manual feed for thicker media. The Stylus Photo 2200 can print as small as 3.5x3.5 inches or up to 13x19 inches on cut-sheet paper, 13x44 inches under Windows 9x and on the Mac, and up to 13x129 inches under all other versions of Windows.
A broad gamut
In CNET Labs' tests, the Stylus Photo 2200 printed an 8x10 image in Photo mode in about 3.8 minutes using a test bed with USB 1.1 ports. However, as we expected, using a higher-speed interface won't speed up the process; the print mechanism is the bottleneck, and the memory buffer isn't large enough to cache more data.
Images render sharply and accurately across most media types in both Photo (1,440x720) and SuperPhoto (2,880x1,440) modes. The extra resolution unites with the light-black ink to perceptibly enhance detail in small highlight areas, such as the dimples on a golf ball. If all goes well, it'll be hard to make out the dots in the highest-resolution prints at close range, approximately equivalent to the grain of good ISO 100-speed film. Black-and-white prints are especially impressive, emerging neutral gray with good dynamic range. For printing on nonglossy papers, Epson offers an optional, hot-swappable matte-black ink cartridge to achieve slightly denser blacks and, therefore, higher contrast.
The jury is still out on actual print longevity; test results will eventually be posted on Wilhelm Imaging Research's Web site. Initial estimates place it at 30 to 100 years, depending upon the paper used and assuming optimal display conditions.
The ink and paper chase
Tech support isn't quite as cost effective, though; toll charges apply to the free phone calls. On the bright side, Epson's Web site offers online documentation, driver downloads, and troubleshooting FAQs. The company covers the printer with its standard one-year, limited parts-and-labor warranty.
If you're simply looking for a good tabloid-sized photo printer, the Stylus Photo 1280 and the Canon S9000 are probably more in your price range. But imaging enthusiasts and experts in search of high-quality, stable inkjet prints meant for controlled environments should put the Stylus Photo 2200 at the top of their shopping lists.
As for the printer's overall cost, we find it quite reasonable. The printer itself may have a high initial price, but it gets high marks for its relatively low 19 cents per color page. Professional papers run about 70 cents to $1 for letter-sized sheets and as high as $2.50 per sheet for Super B.
| Inkjet printer color photo speed Minutes to print a color photograph (shorter bars indicate better performance) | ||||||
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| In CNET Labs' tests, the Stylus Photo 2200 printed an 8x10 image in Photo mode in about 3.8 minutes using a test bed with USB 1.1 ports. However, as we expected, using a higher-speed interface won't speed up the process; the print mechanism is the bottleneck, and the memory buffer isn't large enough to cache more data. |
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 User Rating: 
9/10
A great printer for high quality prints.
Pros: Excellent image quality and accurate colors.
Cons: Slow output during high quality prints. Refuses to print when you're out of one ink color. Expensive.
I only have two minor quibbles. This printer required relatively high quality paper to use. But I think that's just common sense. If you want high quality outputs, you'll need the right medium. This is stated clearly from Epson's user guide.
The other thing that bothered me was that the printer will refuse to print ANYTHING when it runs out of ink for ONE color cartridge. I couldn't print any b/w images or text even when I had a full black and light black cartridge. As soon as one color was completely out, it didn't want to print. Certain colors like the Light Magenta and Light Cyan run out extremely fast over all the other colors so that's something to consider. The printer will remind you when ink is running low but I think Epson could've allowed us to print without all the colors for emergencies. Considering how hard it is to find the ink from a local computer store (you have to order them through Epson if that happens), this was a problem for me at times.
Other than that, the quality of the images are so good that this is worth every penny and minor complaints. Just be sure to use the recommended paper and always keep some extra ink cartridges around. Great printer all around.
User Rating: 
3/10
Tempermental and Slow
Pros: Professional-quality photos when working
Cons: Slow, requires constant adjustment, tough software interface
User Rating: 
7/10
Amazing prints for a reasonable price
Pros: Relatively easy to use, excellent quality prints, reasonable output speeds for the quality
Cons: Had some issues getting the printer to install when I had an HP laser printer attached to my laptop, ink can dry in the heads if not used for a long time
User Rating: 
1/10
Don't use cheapo inks and paper!
Pros: Excellent, vibrant prints. Amazing results. I know many people who own this printer and everyone loves it.
Cons: Buying an expensive printer and then using cheap ink and paper makes no sense! Use Epson ink and a paper made for pigment inks and it won't band!
User Rating: 
8/10
After two years I still love this printer
Pros: The image quality, color purity, and fade resisitance of these prints is unsurpassed by any printer costing less than $5,000. The pigmented inks in 7 different colors provide an unbelievable reproduction of the image you send it. I have seen banding i
Cons: The print process is slow, especially when printing at a density greater that 900 pixels. You must use Epson materials to obtain the excellent quality this printer is capable of delivering. The ink cartridges are all equally sized, but I find I go throu
User Rating: 7/10
Doctor recommended.
Pros: ->great prints with different resolutions and different papers, tried many from Inkpress, Epson to regular cover stock to thick watercolor -even 360DPI is coming out fantastic on regular paper (illustrations) I have printed 1440 DPI and it is great- s
Cons: -> yes of course this is quality over quantity -but i didn't notice that its too slow at all - this is not commercial printer speed of course. -> cartriges are a bit small (I guess Epson learned that puting big ones like in Stylus 3000 is not profi
User Rating: 1/10
Third rate behind the best - Canon
Pros: Few - maybe the pigment inks
Cons: Way too many for a printer of this cost, hype, A very disappointing experience. The NEW Canon ip990 blows the doors (and socks) off either the Epson 2200 (aged technology) or the monsterous 4000. I have heard nothing but horror stories from owners of the
User Rating: 
2/10
Dysfunctional
Pros: The colors are satisfactory. Larger prints are desirable but 13 x 44 inches is an improvement for this size and style of priter over the market's offering at the present time.
Cons: This machine does not interface well with my Windows XP system. I use adjectives such as finickie for living creatures. This printer is not a living creature. Neither is the Epson support system. There is an expensive toll call through a maze of autom
User Rating: 3/10
Not Mac friendly, Not even close.
Pros: when it works, it prints wonderfully. but at abut 1-2 dollars a sheet for super B, and having to replace at least one ink cartridge every 4 or 5 super B prints, this is expensive.
Cons: Since its release a little over a year ago, I believe epson has upgraded the drivers for mac OSX about 4 times, they still don't have it working right. and since it loves to do things like print half a page before finding an error, then not resetting the
User Rating: 
5/10
great printer no problems yet
Pros: I'm a pro photographer and use it in my business work. I've not had a single problem with this printer yet in the 1 1/2 mths of use. I've used Ilford paper and pics come out great. I'd recommend this printer if cost wasn't so high.
Cons: Printer is costly to use ink wise, sucks it up fast no matter the size of print or dpi. Ink is not cheap for the single tanks compared to other brands. For a ink jet printer,somewhat of a pro printer it's still pretty penny to buy.
User Rating: 8/10
Exellent printer
Pros: Great pictures. Yellows and reds are brighter and more saturated. The pigment inks are very close to the wider color gamut of dye-based inks. Firewire, USB and parallel connections are a nice touch especially if two PC's are being used. Metamerism is
Cons: Gray balancer is missing. Glossy prints are not as nice a matte prints. Epson paper (although minor) is the only paper that can be used or ink will build-up on the rolls and ruin the print.
User Rating: 8/10
Best photo printer I have owned
Pros: Photo quality prints are better than commercially bought.
Cons: Sure, it may be a little slow at high resolutions, but what you get back in return is worth the wait.
User Rating: 2/10
The Photo printscome out ruined
Pros: It would have the capability of printing great picture quality prints. Ink not that costly
Cons: The Rollers ruin my photos every time. I dont understand the banding problem but it is not worth buying this printer if your going to print any photos at all. This printer sucks
User Rating: 
6/10
Good Printer but exchanged 2 times already
Pros: Great Photo Quality on Photo paper. Seperate inks so you can save $$ at the end.
Cons: First on had malfunction problem, the second one also had roller malfunction which scratched my $60 worth of high quality photo papers. But I printed them anyway because of my deadline of portfolio. However, exchange with new item was easy. A phone call
User Rating: 2/10
Rollers ruin my prints
Pros: the cons ruin any positive
Cons: Every picture I've printed has been ruined by the rollers! I have spent hours trying to "tweek" the speed and output. The printer is extremely slow, then finding out when the picture pops out that the print is RUINED!!!!!!!
User Rating: 6/10
Awsome quality at a price $$$$$$
Pros: Great quality - would not compromise for anything less after printing 100's of picts.
Cons: Sometimes wonder if the print cartridges are 1/2 full new. Burn through them extremley fast - ready to try some of the generic inks - worried about the quality going out the window...
User Rating: 8/10
Great versatilty, pain-in-the-ass driver
Pros: Pritner performs great for just about every media, straight paper pass through is great for inflexible materials and the included paper cutter is just plain cool. Depending on your locality, Epson repair centers are great.
Cons: Switching from matte to photo black ink can be a pain in the ass if you don't follow the right steps. Doesn't seem to work right on either the Mac or the PC. Epson's lack of updates for OS releases on the Mac platform is also a major bummer, but aren't
User Rating: 1/10
Run from this printer!!!
Pros: Great looking prints, good selection of papers. Good price on papers. Longevity.
Cons: This printer sux! The print head clogged two months after the warranty expired. $340.00 repair! Good thing for my extended warranty (MACK). Sent it to an Epson authorized repair facility in late Jan. 2004. Here it is late July and printer is not repaired.
User Rating: 6/10
Prosumer-ish
Pros: Very good quality photo prints, especially when used with smudge-proof papers.
Cons: Streaking on lots of paper types - including some made by Epson. Go figure! Unfortunately, only way to find compatible paper is by trial and error. Best paper I've found so far is that made by Konica, especially the Photo Quality Silky Inkjet Paper QP.
User Rating: 8/10
This is the best printer I have found on the marekt that is affordable.
Pros: I have used this printer for over a year to produce art photographs and brochures. The print quality and ease of use are incredible. It does not bother me to have to use Epson paper and ink, as I have a good supplier for both.
Cons: The printer is slow. Large print runs take entirely too long.
User Rating: 
4/10
Very picky printer
Pros: Great quality
Cons: Most of my paper media (most epson paper) I can't use cause they get track marks from the printer
User Rating: 8/10
The Digital Darkroom has arrived
Pros: Immaculate prints. Our department tests all things computer and digital for their appropriate use in our organization. This printer sold our PR department and our development office that they could safetly use digital photography and printing without goin
Cons: Slow? That depends on what your opinion of slow is. When I and the other I work with see the prints that come out of this printer who gives a darn how long it took. I am sure that next month or next year someone will build one better and faster, that is t
User Rating: 
10/10
banding...
Pros: I thought I had a bad printer until I discovered that my paper and profile didn't match. Once I used the correct profile, the banding went away.
Cons:
User Rating: 8/10
Great printer for semi pro photographers
Pros: This printer will do printouts of photos as good as you can purchase from anywhere online. This does not include glossy photos. Any photos printed will outlast most of the people that printed them. (100+ years)
Cons: Slower to print that canon or hp printers. You can get bad prints if you do not take the time to setup printer correctly or to use profiles for the paper and settings for the paper being used. Third party inks are not supported.
User Rating: 7/10
nice output, easy to use
Pros: I have had the 2200 for about six months and I am getting very nice 13x19 prints in both b&w and color. Sometimes, however, b&w prints in RGB tend to have a magenta hue. Trying to get this under control via profiles. Many people have complained ab
Cons: It is pricey, and man, is this thing big. I had to get a bigger desk. Ink is somewhat expensive, and it goes through ink relatively fast, but the single color cartridges helps eliminate wasting it.
User Rating: 4/10
Amazing When It Works...
Pros: When using Epson paper, this printer does a superb job when it manages to complete a print job.
Cons: Unfortunately, it will often crash halfway through the job and will be unusable for the rest of the day, all its lights flashing incessantly. We exchanged printers 3 times but to no avail. Now that we are no longer under warranty, the printer has broken
User Rating: 1/10
headache waiting to happen
Pros: wont print with other cartridges without hurendous problems and massize headaches, if you want problems use this printer
Cons: save all your hard earned cash to buy a printer that wont intigrate with other cartridges without huge hassles, is you life worth another hassle
User Rating: 8/10
Use the right paper
Pros: A great printer with awesome results. However to get rid of roller bands you must use the proper paper for the printer Premium Luster works great.
Cons: Light magenta ink cartridge runs out too fast. Otherwise inks are pretty good.
User Rating: 10/10
Epson up to it's high standards
Pros: I?ve had this printer for just over a week, (it?s my 3rd Epson in 15 years), and I?m thoroughly impressed with the quality of the prints. Then there is also the quality of the printer itself - sturdy. Unlike Brand B this one is not made of thin gauge al
Cons: Slow, but the quality is worth every seconds of it. Some writers complain about the price. If you pay full bore that?s your problem. Do your research to come up with a good price.
User Rating: 8/10
Great prints, slow output
Pros: This printers capabilities are endless. I have run al different kinds of Epson paper through this thing and all of it looks fantastic. The best results I have got so far from this printer is Epsons premium Luster Finish, this paper seems to work the best
Cons: A little slow but not bad
User Rating: 5/10
Impressive Results.
Pros: About as good as you can imagine. Other reviewers have covered this printer well, but I want to echo their praise. Really stunning quality. It's expensive, but worth it.
Cons: Costs as much as your garden variety PC.
User Rating: 8/10
Great for the "avid" hobbyist
Pros: Right out of the box I was able to use my Paint Shop Pro software to produce stunning quality prints in various sizes. Ink prices are VERY comparable to those of other printers ($60 for a full set) and worth every penny since the ink is more archival than
Cons: The price of the printer itself, combined with the price of the paper (MUST be Epson) make digital photography a hobby I do DESPITE the expense!
User Rating: 8/10
Inkjet at its best!
Pros: I was excited when I saw it at the store. I was more excited when I bought it. Since I have start using the printer, my digitals and scanned in images have come alive! It is thus far the best printer investment I have made. I enlarged digital images t
Cons: Unfortunately, the price you pay when you print to a high detailed printer is that it is slow. However, in approximately 8 minutes, I printed a 13"x17" photograph. Slow maybe, but it's worth the few minutes wait, rather than waiting days for a photo la
User Rating: 9/10
i wish i could give this a perfect 10
Pros: great image prints, lots of size print choices and 7 independent ink cartridges eliminates ink waste which saves money. and has both firewire and usb 2.0 connections.
Cons: only compatible with a few certain epson paper in which you're forced to buy epson paper for good image results. as for non epson paper such as kodak high gloss premium picture paper, the results can be either not so good or even lousy depending on prin
User Rating: 6/10
GREAT PRINTS - IF YOU HAVE THE ROLLER INK SMEAR FIX!
Pros: As most of us know - the 2100 2200 printer has a quirk for leaving roller marks or ink smear lines when using non-epson papers (especially coated and glossy). I have created special tabs to lift the rollers up and out of harms way which now allows me to p
Cons: Roller ink smear lines or marks with coated or glossy papers - BUT now with my tabs to FIX the problem this printer obtains a thumbs UP ^
User Rating: 8/10
Professional printer for a reasonable price
Pros: The 2200 produces stunning blacks with the matte black ink and enhanced matte or velvet paper. Users complaining of roller banding are using the wrong type paper. You must use only paper designed specifically for pigmented ink.
Cons: The ink cartridge is small and must be replaced fequently, particularly when printing 13 x 19 images.
User Rating: 6/10
2100 2200 INK SMEAR ROLLER LINES - FIX !!!
Pros: This printer is GREAT but mostly or only with Epson specified papers. Since this is a serious flaw in my opinion I went ahead and created and special tabs that will lift the rollers up and out of harms way. I now print on coated papers that I never could
Cons:
User Rating: 10/10
the best printer I have ever used
Pros: The pictures are great. As a photographer I need a printer that can put out extra good prints. And this is the printer. I also have windows xp/pro and I had no trouble installing this printer. As for the paper roller and cutter, I have had no proble
Cons: The ink is a little on the expensive side. But if you want the best I guess you have to pay for it.
User Rating: 8/10
Great printer, albeit slow
Pros: I originally bought a Canon i9100, but there was a problem with the feed mechanism of the printer, so I took it back. The store didn't have any more, so I switched to the Epson 2200. I've since spent hundreds of dollars on paper and replacement ink, so
Cons: Large prints are sometimes wavy. I experienced this using the Epson 13x19 photo glossy paper. I haven't found a printer setting that reduces the waviness yet, but I suspect I will. It's not horrible, but I don't like it there. I had read this printer
User Rating: 2/10
No Support for new OSX
Pros: If the features worked in OSX 10.6 or 10.8 it would be great.
Cons: i constantly check the Epson site for updates to no avail. Unbelievably poor OSX support. So far a big waste of money.
User Rating: 10/10
Better than photo lab quality
Pros: Easy set up. Print output is the best I have seen. Auto cutter is nice. There are a variety of paper to use. Lexjet/Ilford/Epson. I have used these with the downloaded profiles and they work just fine. Feel free to e-mail me for any questions.
Cons: Must install P.I.M. software to use profiles.
User Rating: 6/10
Expensive, but gorgeous output
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User Rating: 1/10
Support, what support
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User Rating: 4/10
Great Prints but horrible banding
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User Rating: 2/10
Ink costs too much
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