ALPS MD-2000 / MD-2010 / MD-2300 / MD-4000 Printers

These models have a very robust chassis and are not as prone to breakage as the later MD-1xxx and MD-5xxx models. They handle CMYK and can do white, metallic, and other colours with requisite cassette re-labeling as needed (see References at bottom of page for detailed printer specifications).

These models are definitely recommended for users worried about robustness.

Interestingly, they have far more LEDs for status and error warning than later models. There are LEDs for individual cassette check, media type, and media selection button, so there are definite advantages for users who can use parallel cables or SCSI converters without bi-directional support but still obtain information about the cassette state.

The "S" suffix models (MD-2000S, MD-2010S, MD-2300S, MD-4000S) indicate SCSI interface, and are intended for Macintosh, but they will work fine on linux too, using the linux ALPS driver (which is the same for all the ALPS printers and supports spot color printing).

The driver required is v6.43 (Japanese users can use v6.46 but this is not available in English) for MacOS7, MacOS8, MacOS9.

There is no Windows SCSI driver, and I have not found any information on using SCSI-to-USB adapter cables with the ALPS.

However, it is possible, using SheepShearer or Basilisk, to install PowerPC MacOSX 7, 8, 9 on a Windows or linux machine with a SCSI card, and thereby install the v6.43 (or v6.46) driver and use it from inside the PowerPC virtual machine.

Price

Stock

We do not keep any of these models (SCSI port "S", parallel-port "J" models) in stock, and will need to source locally as needed. ALPS no longer supports these models so we are unable to refurbish them. Thus, customers requesting such models will be provided with a best-effort working model printer without defects, but lacking a full refurbishment.

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Purchasing

Shipping

At cost from Japan (see contact, payment, shipping details)

Accessories

See Inks and Accessories pages for more details and related products.

Driver Information

Free ALPS drivers are available for all models. Note that these are the official ALPS drivers to give access to the full functionality of these unique printers, not the generic Microsoft printers under Windows which seem to be installed by default on Microsoft systems.

To get the free drivers:

Optional extras

See Accessories page for more details and related products.

1. MD-2000 Models

Earliest ALPS printer model on the market. They do not have a checkbox to use overlay mode in the official drivers, therefore cannot re-feed the paper after printing a single completed artwork.

However, we have released a 64-bit Windows utility for ALPS printers, which can print multiple images at once, thus making it possible to use these under-appreciated models in overlay manner also.

1. MD-2000J

Photos

Click on thumbnails for enlarged photos. Or visit the photo page for full-size views.

ALPS MD-2000S

Photos

Click on thumbnails for enlarged photos. Or visit the photo page for full-size views.

2. MD-2010

A model produced outside of Japan, similar to the MD-2000.

3. MD-2300

Additional features such as the standard overlay printing and native dye-sublimation printing support.

4. MD-4000

As for MD-2000, but with additional internal drum scanner (does not interfere in any way with printing operations).

References

Sources of further information on printer models, specifications, capabilities, inks and other supplies and consumables:

  1. Groups.io ALPS group
  2. https://alps.groups.io/g/ALPS/files/Technical_Info
  3. https://alps.groups.io/g/ALPS/files
  4. https://alps.groups.io/g/ALPS/files/Troubleshooting_Repair_Adjustment

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