Customer Reviews

Epson T009201 Stylus Photo Color Cartridge

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I'm an illustrator and I sell a lot of prints using my epson 1280. Considering at the time of my purchase the t009 color cart cost more than [X], the t007 more than [X], and paper costs, I was really cutting into by profits. I needed to find a lower cost solution for printing. And after extensive research I found that just sticking with epson cartridges was the best solution for the moment.

The problem with these epson cartridges is that they have a "smart chip" attached to each cart. These chips allow for real time monitoring of ink usage, but more importantly it prevents you from refilling your cartridge with the third party inks. However, there are many viable solutions to the chip problem like hardware and software chip resetters that resets the chip to full status. With the chip out of the way, you still have the problem of refilling ink with a syringe which is not worth the time nor effort and is very messy.

Another solution I opted for was to go with third party cartridges. In my experience with these carts I have found that it is really tricky to get as good of colors like epson ones. Sometimes they come out too red or too green. Other times too blue or yellow. The thing is, Epson printers using epson profiles are meant to be used with Epson inks. When they developed these print profiles they were using only Epson inks. That is why you will always get skewed results with any third party ink.

The ultimate solution to the 3rd party ink problem is to purchase custom profiles or profiling software and install a continuous flow system so that you don't have to mess with refilling ink. It will save you in the long run, but be prepared to plop down a few hundred for the setup. But if you are on a budget, you don't print a hundred prints per month, and want good results, just stick with the original Epson carts. By the way, they're pretty cheap now.

I have produced literally stunning photo prints from my Sony Mavica CD300 digital camera with my Epson Stylus Photo 1280. It's only possible using Epson ink. I too have tried the "save a buck" approach with knock off 3rd party ink cartridges. Don't waste your money! The only true to life results you will get is by using Epson inks.
The colors are vivid and brilliant. 13X19 prints are spectacular with them.
BTW, I should also mention that the absolute best results I get are by using Epson premium glossy papers as well.
So if you want professional results and photograph prints that will knock your socks off, stick with Epson paper and inks for your Epson printer. It's worth the cost and you won't be disappointed.

For the Epson Photo 1270, the photo quality and color are excellent. I have printed digital photos that people cannot believe come from an inkjet printer.

The colors are very good (blues) to outstanding (reds and blacks-the black is in its own separate cartridge of course). I get about 20-30 full page 8x10 color prints on Matte paper per color cartridge. This is a much more realistic idea of ink use than Epson's claim of over 300 with 5% coverage...you buy this printer to do photos, not to make text pages with a little color on them. Nevertheless, the ink quality is very good.

For my 1280, I would not use any other brand. The colors are really nice. I have not finished my first set of cartridges yet, but I'm sold-and would not use ANY other but EPSON.

On Epson's heavyweight matte paper, the prints almost have a velvet like texture-like nothing I had expected (I am pleased). The browns, blues, greens, reds, etc. in my landscapes are very nice-beautiful gradations of color are possible. I do not think I would chance any other brand except Espon-a real winner.

Having used ,literally, hundreds of thsi cartridge, I can state with certainity that the generic versions are VASTLY less capable of producing fine photo prints and the generics often fail. They simply do not work.

Spend a few more bukcs and get original Epson.

I live in a major Metropolitan city and I am sooo glad that I can get "Authentic Epson" product thru Amazon(instead of Epson "high-priced" web site!) Because all the stores that I go to never seem to carry T009 cartridges. I have tried all those "cheaper" ink cartridges but if you want trouble-free printing, you have to stay with the "Real Thing"! Thanks Again Amazon-you guys are AWESOME!!!

Although I suspected as much, when I received these cartridges they were some off-brand made in China. Everything in the listing said "Epson" and even showed Epson packaging (I saved the original page), so I thought maybe these were just grey market instead of being made for sale in the US. Some off-brands can really foul up a printer, and who knows about fading, etc., so I'm not about to use them. I've returned the items, so we'll see if I get a prompt refund.

use this ink with my epson 1270 for the past 10 year ,still gets my great 8x10 photos,i have on my wall photo from 2001 and no fading to reporte

I was a little worried when I read a review (after placing an order) that claimed that these are not genuine Epson cartridges,
For that reason, when the package arrived I paid very close attention to the packaging and to the cartridge itself.

Well, if these are knock-offs, someone has done an really excellent job of not only emulating the packaging and construction, but also of emulating the characteristics of the ink. Printing the same photo using the same settings produces a identical print.

So, Epson or not (I believe it is), its good value for money.