100% Canadian owned since 1985

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Help & FAQs

Answers to some of the most commonly asked questions

FAQs

Our Company & Canadian Operations

Who is Tricera?

Tricera is a 100 percent Canadian owned and operated family business specializing in Epson professional printers, inks and fine art printing media. We have been serving photographers, artists, studios, universities and production environments for more than 30 years.

What makes Tricera different from electronics retailers?

We focus exclusively on professional Epson printing equipment rather than general electronics. Specializing in one ecosystem allows us to offer deeper product knowledge, stronger inventory support and more informed customer guidance.

Do you sell outside of Canada?

No. We focus entirely on the Canadian market. This ensures pricing clarity, warranty alignment, faster fulfilment and no cross-border complications for our customers.

Where do you ship from?

Our flagship location is in Vancouver at 2522 Guelph Street. We ship from dedicated Canadian warehouses strategically located in Richmond, Calgary, Toronto and Halifax. This allows us to serve customers from coast to coast efficiently within Canada.

Will I pay duties or exchange fees?

No. All products ship from within Canada so there are no import duties or exchange rate surprises.

Who are typical Tricera customers?

Our customers include photographers, artists, galleries, universities, print studios and production labs across Canada.

Does Tricera work with professional print studios?

Yes. Many professional fine art and photography print studios rely on us for Epson supplies, papers and equipment.

Does Tricera supply artists and galleries?

Yes. We supply Epson equipment and media to artists and galleries across Canada.

Epson Professional Printers

Which printers does Tricera sell?

We sell Epson SureColor professional printers from the 17-inch P900 through the 64-inch P20570.

Do you run Epson printers in house?

Yes. We actively operate Epson professional printers including the P900, P7570, P20000 and P20570. We use them to evaluate and test Epson papers, learn how to get the most out of the printers and share our hands-on experience and knowledge with our customers.

Do you sell office printers?

No. We focus exclusively on professional photo and fine art printers.

Do you sell scanners or multifunction devices?

No. These products fall outside our specialization.

Why choose Epson pigment printers?

Pigment printers offer archival stability and professional quality output that meets the demands of fine art and photographic printing.

Can Epson printers produce exhibition prints?

Yes. When paired with archival media they can produce museum-quality output suitable for gallery and exhibition display.

What determines which printer size I need?

Print width, production volume and workflow requirements determine the appropriate model.

Do larger printers produce better quality?

Quality differences are minimal. Larger printers mainly provide greater width and efficiency for production workflows.

Do Epson printers support roll media?

Many Epson professional printers support roll printing for panoramas and production workflows.

Do Epson printers require maintenance?

Yes. Regular nozzle checks and occasional cleaning cycles maintain consistent output.

Warranty & Repairs

Are printers covered by a Canadian warranty?

Yes. We are an authorized Canadian Epson Pro Graphics dealer and all Epson printers we sell include a one-year Canadian manufacturer warranty from the date of purchase.

If your printer is within the first year of purchase, it is covered under Epson's standard warranty. Please contact Epson directly and they will arrange for a service technician if required.

If the one-year period has passed and you purchased an extended warranty, please contact Epson directly and they will arrange for a service technician if required.

If your warranty has expired and you have not yet purchased an extended warranty, we recommend reviewing the available extended warranty options for your model on our website.

Does Tricera offer repairs?

Tricera Imaging does not currently offer repair services on new or used printers. If you require service for an Epson product, please contact Epson directly:

Epson Single-Function Printers, All-in-One Printers and Scanners
Technical Support (Consumer Products): 1-800-533-3731
Warranty Claims (Consumer Products): 1-905-709-3839

Epson Wide Format Professional Printers (17"–64" wide)
Technical Support, Warranty Claims or Repairs: 1-562-276-1305 or 1-888-377-6611

Fine Art Paper & Media

What paper brands does Tricera carry?

We carry Epson fine art papers and select surfaces from Moab and Hahnemühle.

Why carry multiple paper brands?

Different brands offer unique surfaces, textures and formats. This gives our customers the widest range of creative options.

Are your papers compatible with Canon and HP printers?

Yes. Professional fine art papers are commonly used across Epson, Canon and HP pigment ink printers. Paper selection is based on surface and coating characteristics rather than printer brand.

How do I choose the right paper?

Paper choice depends on surface texture, image style and presentation goals. We are happy to help guide you based on your project.

What is a cotton rag paper?

Cotton rag papers are archival fine art papers made with cotton fibres. They are valued for durability and tonal richness.

What is the difference between cotton rag and alpha cellulose papers?

Cotton rag papers are made from cotton fibres and are often selected for gallery or museum presentation. Alpha cellulose papers use purified wood pulp and can still be archival while offering different surface characteristics and pricing.

What is baryta paper?

Baryta papers mimic traditional darkroom fibre prints with a semi-gloss surface.

What is matte paper?

Matte papers have a non-reflective surface often used for fine art prints.

Why are some papers occasionally backordered?

Some specialty brands rely on cross-border distribution and Canadian inventory depth can vary. Epson media benefits from stronger Canadian inventory coverage and we prioritize stocking accordingly.

How should fine art paper be stored?

Store paper flat in a stable environment away from humidity and direct sunlight.

Ink & Consumables

What type of ink do Epson professional printers use?

They use pigment inks designed for archival print longevity.

What is the difference between PRO10, PRO12 and HDX?

These refer to different Epson professional pigment ink systems used across specific printer families, each offering variations in channel configuration and tonal range.

How long do pigment prints last?

Under proper conditions pigment prints can remain stable for decades.

Can I use third-party inks?

No. We strongly advise against it. Third-party inks can damage your printer and lead to frequent repairs.

How should ink be stored?

Ink should be stored in a stable indoor environment away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

My ink expired. What should I do?

Epson has advised that using ink one to two years past the expiration date is generally fine. Their pigment-based inks are archival and stable for a long time and the date is required for regulatory purposes. If stored properly the ink should perform normally.

ICC Profiles & Colour Management

What is colour management?

Colour management ensures consistent colour reproduction between your screen and your print.

What is an ICC profile?

An ICC profile is a colour data file that helps your software and printer reproduce colour accurately for a specific printer, ink and paper combination.

Do I need ICC profiles for every paper?

For the best results ICC profiles are strongly recommended to ensure consistent and repeatable colour output.

Where can I download ICC profiles?

ICC profiles are typically available through the printer or paper manufacturer's official support pages.

Download here

Why do prints sometimes look darker after drying?

A small tonal shift called dry-down occurs as ink settles into the paper. This is normal and experienced printers often account for it in their workflow.

How can I achieve accurate colour prints?

Proper ICC profiles, correct media settings and a calibrated monitor all help achieve accurate colour.

Support & Downloads

Where do I download drivers and firmware?

Drivers and firmware are available directly through Epson's official support portal by model.

Why do you link to Epson for downloads?

Epson regularly updates its profiles and software to ensure compatibility with the newest operating systems. Linking directly to Epson ensures customers always access the most current versions of drivers, firmware and documentation.

Where can I find printer manuals?

Manuals are available through Epson's support pages.

What is Epson Print Layout?

Epson Print Layout is software designed for colour-managed fine art and photographic printing workflows.

What should I do if my printer shows banding?

Run nozzle checks and cleaning cycles to restore print head performance.

My printer stopped working after I updated my operating system. What should I do?

Before updating your operating system, we recommend visiting Epson's website to confirm that the latest firmware and drivers are available for your printer model. Operating systems are updated frequently and Epson requires time to properly test and ensure compatibility. Updating too soon can sometimes cause driver conflicts or temporary instability.

Printing Knowledge

What is dry-down?

Dry-down is the slight tonal change that occurs as prints dry. It is a normal part of the printing process.

What causes banding?

Banding can occur due to clogged nozzles or incorrect settings. Running a nozzle check is the recommended first step.

Why is paper handling important?

Proper handling prevents scuffs or marks on delicate surfaces. Correct media settings also prevent head strikes and ensure clean output.

What is platen gap?

Platen gap controls the distance between the print head and the paper surface.

Why use archival materials?

Archival materials protect print longevity and ensure your work can be displayed or stored for years to come.

What determines a museum-quality print?

Archival ink, archival paper and proper display conditions all contribute to long-term print longevity.

Ordering & Shipping

Does Tricera ship across Canada?

Yes. Nationwide shipping is available from our Canadian warehouse network.

Do you offer in-store pickup?

Yes. In-store pickup is available at checkout for most Lower Mainland customers at our flagship location, 2522 Guelph Street. If you do not see the pickup option during checkout, please contact us and we will make it available for you.

How long does it take to receive my order?

All in-stock, standard orders placed before 1:00 PM PST ship out the same day, excluding weekends, holidays and unforeseen circumstances. In-stock items ship quickly from our Canadian warehouse network, with delivery times varying depending on your region.

Can I cancel my order once I've placed it online?

Please review your order carefully before submitting, as we process and ship orders quickly. If you notice an error, contact us immediately by phone at 1-888-733-5702. Once an order has been processed or shipped, we cannot guarantee that it can be cancelled or modified.

Can I add an item to my order if it has not shipped yet?

If your order has not yet shipped, please contact us by phone at 1-888-733-5702 to add items as we pack and ship orders quickly.

Can I change my shipping address after placing my order?

If your order has not shipped, you must contact us by phone at 1-888-733-5702 to modify the shipping address. We are unable to process address changes by email.

If one item is out of stock, will it prevent my whole order from shipping?

Possibly. If an item in your order is out of stock or there is any issue, we will contact you to discuss the available options before proceeding.

Do you offer same-day delivery?

No. The fastest available shipping option is one business day, which will be shown at checkout.

What happens if a product is backordered?

Customers are informed and alternative solutions may be suggested where available.

Returns & Exchanges

Do you accept returns?

Due to the sensitive nature of the products we sell, we are unable to accept returns. All sales are final.

What if my product is defective?

If an Epson ink, printer or scanner is found to be defective, please contact us by phone at 1-888-733-5702. We will work with you to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

What should I do if my product arrives damaged?

Please inspect your order immediately upon receipt. Any claims for damaged or missing items must be reported to Tricera Imaging within two business days. All original packaging must be retained until the issue has been resolved.

What do I do if I receive the wrong item?

If we shipped the wrong product, we will gladly exchange it for the correct item and cover the shipping costs. Please contact us at 1-888-733-5702 or email us with details and a photo of the incorrect item received.

What is your policy on special order items?

Full, non-refundable payment is required before any special order product is placed. Once payment is received, the order cannot be cancelled. All special order items are final sale and are not eligible for refund or exchange unless confirmed by Tricera Imaging to be defective.

Rebates & Savings

How do I obtain the rebate for my item?

Rebate forms and instructions can be found on our Rebates page if available. Please follow the submission guidelines carefully to ensure your rebate is processed correctly.

Do you offer educational discounts?

We offer special pricing on Epson printers for educational institutions. Please contact us directly for eligibility and details.

Will Tricera honour a lower price from a competitor?

Our knowledgeable team is here to help you make informed decisions about papers and printers. Send us a link and we will get back to you.

Leasing & Payment Options

Do you offer leasing?

Yes. Tricera Imaging offers competitive leasing rates through our partner RCAP Leasing. To request a leasing quote, please contact us with the printer model you are interested in and your shipping address. A representative from our leasing partner will contact you within 24 hours.

Do you offer payment options for online purchases?

Yes. We offer Sezzle as a payment option at checkout. You can split your entire online purchase into four interest-free payments over six weeks, with no impact to your credit.

Still looking for help?

We are here for you. Contact us for expert help & advice.