With the addition of Wi-Fi
connection, the Epson Stylus Photo 1500W is an A3+ photo printer, whose ink
cartridges have 6 different colors, and can print with high resolution designed
for creating quality photo prints. It is also called with the name Artisan 1430
on some markets.
Epson
Stylus Photo 1500W A3+ Wi-Fi Printer
Features
As being designed for photography
enthusiasts, the Epson Stylus Photo 1500W is able to print from any system
which supports Wi-Fi connection. You can even print anything from your iPhone
or iPad by using the cost-free iPrint software of Epson. The Epson Stylus Photo
1500W prints on glossy paper, regular paper, envelopes, iron-on transfers plus
CDs and DVDs. Everything from the 4x6inch (10x15cm) pictures to the landscapes
and A3+ are all supported.
The 1500W uses Epson’s Claria 6 colors,
which are dye-based ink that makes the image look lively and more durable with
the glossy finish outlook. Thanks to the droplet size 1.5pl that the resolution
reaches the level of 5,760x1,440dps, and thus creating high-quality printings
with nice details and smooth color filling.
Epson
Stylus 1500W’s printing ink
The printer uses the OWL printing color
with just 11ml in each of the 6 ink cartridges – which include 5 basic
different colors and 1 black. Changing these cartridges from Epson will cost
you $21 – so if you wish to change all of those 6 genuine Epson cartridges, the
total price would be $128.
Key features
·
A3+ support
·
Print from anywhere: via wireless connection
·
Flexible: print on CDs, envelopes and many more
·
Lively color: Epson Claria Ink, 6 cartridges
·
PictBridge support: Print directly from a
digital camera
·
DPI 5,760x1,440
·
Smooth gradations: the minimum droplet size of
1.5pl
·
Print without fringing
·
Print via wireless connection from cellphones
·
USB 2.0
Handling
Printing
process
While setting up, you are possible to
choose whether to use a USB cable or wireless, if you choose wireless
connection, you can then choose “1 setup” or “adding another computer”. This
means that you do not need a USB cable to setup the printer, which is very
convenient if the USB cable does not coming with the printer in the box.
Buttons
on the Epson Stylus 1500W
Wireless
setup
The first setup is easy to do by using the
quick Wifi connection button on the printer and wireless router, just pressing
the button on router, and with the button on the printer, keeping pressing it
within 3 seconds. Epson’s software will give you the instructions to go step by
step through the process on the screen, and when you are setting up, you can
check its performance by printing a sample page.
There is a paper feed drop down flap at the
front. You can lay a CD/DVD in this tray to print on compatible discs.
Performance
This printer owns a great number of options
and settings in the printer control screen on the computer. However, the review
screen of the printer seems to be a little outdated, and on our screen, it did
not automatically appear on the front of the screen, which means that we might
easily miss it and delay the print from the very beginning.
Print speed: when using the best settings
in the printer’s setup, it takes 8 minutes to print a large 36mp image on A3
with the photo fitted to A3 (no borders) and create a print at 445ppi. With
same settings like that, it takes about 4-5 minutes to print a full screen A4
photo (borderless).
Color
reproduction
Color
reproduction
Sample
photos
Sample
photos from Epson Stylus Photo 1500W/ Artisan 1430
In order to have the detail in the prints
displayed, these images have been scanned at a 600pdi, although the scanning
process colors seem to be slightly muted compared to the original prints. The
prints which are bright, saturated and contrasty give punchy prints.
Value
The Epson Stylus Photo 1500W is available
on the market for roughly $373.5 if you shop around. The alternative A3 printer
models include Canon Pixma IX6550 with the price of $238.5 and 5 cartridges, or
the Canon Pixma Pro-100 with 8 cartridges, which is more one-step senior and
costs $523.5.
Verdict
The Epson Stylus Photo 1500W is well suited
to anyone who is interested in printing high quality glossy prints at sizes up
to A3 or bigger. There isn’t a massive selection of A3 photo printers available
at this price point, with models coming in at much cheaper with less ink colors,
or quite a lot more expensive for better black and white printing. However with
small ink cartridges it could quickly add up if you plan to print a lot of A3
color photos, as a fresh set will set you back around $127.5. The printer has
good Wi-Fi connectivity that is easy to setup, and it didn't mind printing
large 36 megapixel photos from Photoshop.
Anyone who is interested in high-quality
glossy printing with the size up to A3 or bigger would find this printer so
suitable. There is no other choice for an available A3 photo printer at this
price level on the market for now. For upcoming printers, the price would be
lower, but the in colors would be less or it will be more costly to have a
higher quality black or white. However, with a small cartridge, it can be added
quickly if you plan to print a great number of A3 color photos, just like a
complete set with the price around $127.5.
Advantages
·
Easy to setup Wi-Fi
·
CD printing tray
·
High-quality color printing
·
The reproduction process of black and white is
fine although it does not have the dedicated black/gray color.
Disadvantages
·
Small cartridge – especially if you plan to
print a lot of A3
·
12 month warranty
·
It is costly to have a full set of color ($127.5)
·
The printing black and white is quite slight.
Scores of the product
·
Key feature: 2.5/5
·
Handling: 4/5
·
Quality: 4/5
·
Price: 3.5/5
·
Verdict: 3.5/5
Specifications
Printer
features
·
Print resolution: 1440 – 5760dpi
·
Ink tanks: 6
·
Print size: A3+
·
CD DVD Printing: Yes
·
Duplex Unit: No
LCD Monitor
·
Tilting screen: No
·
Touch screen: No
Interface
·
USB: USB 2.0
·
Wi-Fi: Yes
·
Ethernet: no
·
Storage: card type
·
Power source: Power consumption (W) 3.5 – 18
Box content
·
Box contents: Main Unite, Power cable, Setup
guide, Software (CD), Wi-Fi/network setup guide
Dimension
·
Weight: 11,800 g
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