A special paper feed makes it possible to individually feed specialized substrates, such as ultra-smooth and fine art watercolor papers. A holder that can take 4", 8.3" and 13" rolls is included. Epson is aggressively targeting the emerging scrapbooking market with the R1800, offering double-sided 12x12 paper for scrapbook enthusiasts. The R1800 offers CD and DVD printing capabilities for printing directly onto inkjet printable CDs and DVDs through the printer’s straight-through paper path. I went through plenty of paper and ink with the R1800, using both Epson paper and somewhat less expensive generic brands. The quality of the prints generated on Epson Photo Premium Glossy Photo Paper was outstanding. The colors were rich and saturated and the finish was virtually flawless. Output on third-party papers looked good, but couldn't compete with the prints made with Epson consumables. It wasn't all that long ago when an inkjet print might have lasted only a few months when exposed to direct light, and a few years, at best, when illuminated by indirect light. That has changed considerably. According to independent tests commissioned by Epson, output generated on the R1800 has a lightfastness of 100–200 years, depending upon the substrate being used. Such claims are difficult to confirm, but it’s fair to say that the output competes favorably with true photographic prints. The R1800 supports both Print Image Matching and Exif 2.1 and 2.2 Print technology. As would be expected, it fully supports color management and ICC profiles. Epson is posting profiles for various media types on its website. Most inkjet printers have a low ink warning light. Some also provide detailed information about the level of each ink well in the printer driver window, making it possible to determine which specific color ink is running low. The R1800 goes one step further: In addition to a control panel low ink warning light, there's also a light that flashes over each specific ink cartridge. Opening up the cover gives you a quick idea of which inks need to be replaced, without having to start the computer. The printer can be connected to either Windows or Mac systems via FireWire and USB. FireWire and high speed USB 2.0 makes a big speed difference over USB 1.1. The unit ships with Adobe Elements 3.0, Epson's Software Film Factory, and a Print Image Matching (PIM) II Adobe Photoshop plug-in. The Stylus Photo R1800 has a suggested retail price of $549. For more details visit Epson’s website at www.epson.com. Optimum Results For optimum results with the R1800 (as with inkjets from other major printer manufacturers) it's best to use the brand name inks made for that unit. It's also generally a good idea to use the specific papers and other substrates that the manufacturer suggests. Using different brands won't cause any printer problems, but, as the test results confirmed, the output quality may not be as high as possible. If you opt for the R1800, spend the extra money for the correct consumables. Specifications Color Photo Print Speed: 11x14photo: 1 minute, 51 seconds Interface: USB 2.0, FireWire Print Resolution: 5670x1440 dpi OS Compatibility: Windows® XP/Me/2000 and Mac® OS X version 10.2.4 or later Maximum Printable Area: 13X44 DVD/CD Printing: Yes Paper Sizes: 4x6, 5x7, 8x10, 8.5x11, 11x14, 12x12, 13x19, 11x17, plus 4”, 8.3” and 13” wide roll papers. Dimensions: 24.2x9.1x12.6 Warranty: 1 year limited Street Price: $549 Distributor: Epson America, Inc., 3840 Kilroy Airport Way, 1-800-GO-EPSON, www.usa.epson.com