开云体育

Hi Jess,

First let me say that I am not a commercial fine art printing studio only a single person artist. So my needs, and solutions, are very specific, and in some ways similar to your questions.

Since I print with the piezography solution (inks, software, workflow) I also wanted to keep that system disconnected from the Internet. So I repurposed an old iMac, running Catalina, connected to my Epson P6000. I use the printer for making digital negatives (primarily Pt./Pd. and gum/cyano over), polymer plates (for direct to plate gravure) and a little inkjet printing (proofing and final prints). The iMac only has PrintTool and the QTR tools (the bare minimum for printing - and nothing else). No editing is done here. Separately I have a MacStudio fully configured (H/W and S/W) for image libraries, editing. etc.. I use a USB drive to shuttle images and install .dmg files (PrintTool, QTR..) over to the iMac. The only thing to always double check after installing the applications is that they have full R/W privileges (but this is an easy check).

My suggestion is to repurpose your MacBook Pro connected to your 3880 via USB; and, of course, not connected to the Internet so no unwanted or unexpected Epson updates or “upgrades". Not sure what version of OS you are currently running but if it is working now for your printing needs then I would leave it alone. Separately invest in the new Mac mini M4 with one of the third party port extenders that matches the fit, finish, and form factor of the Mac mini. Load it up with as much memory as you can; with all your creative (PS, LR, etc.) and QCDN software etc.; and a cohesive 3-tier backup strategy.

Lastly, IMHO, the 3880 was one of the last, best 17” printers Epson made that would allow user control and 3rd party inks (without major hassle). While the older P800 and new 900 are very, very good I would keep that 3880 for as long as it still works for you!

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Michael