Printing pictures - Printer recomendation?

[AndyL]

Hey all,

Ok, so I'm going to ask here because the techie quotient is quite high :mrgreen: And apparently I'm not asking google for the right combination of words...

Been finding of late, we're using our inkjet (lexmark z1430) more and more for printing of larger (8x10/8.5x11) pictures. As it's way cheaper than paying walmart/superstore/blacks/etc for those same prints. However the lexmark just isn't doing the blue's justice; and the ink capacity leaves something to be desired :neutral:

Any recomendations on a replacement printer - something that may be more up to the task / more economical for printing the large pictures? I'd really like to get away from the all-in-one color cartridge if possible - as I know more often than not - it's only 1/3 of the color that's run out...

Any suggestions?

[michika]

I love my color laser printer by HP. I use it mostly for medical images, and chose this printer because of its ability to print sharp clear photos.

[AndyL]

Color laser is a bit out of the price range I must say - though I'm starting to eyeball some of the large format inkjets - but that's still cheaper than a laser :)

I'm eyeballing the HP Photosmart D7460; as it's got everything I'm after right now...

Although I must say I am eyeballing the continuous inking systems from ebay (think 100ml resevoirs attached to the inkjet cartridges to keep them full). Search CIS or CISS on ebay and you'll see tons...

[michika]

I went with color lazer because the initial investment was higher, but toner went further, and was cheaper for me in the long run. I used to do a lot of printing, 100-200 pages per week for classes; notes, homework, reading material.

[fencer]

I have a color laser,,it is nice but the humdity will cause flaking of the image. Your best bet is to get an HP or Canon photo printer(designed to print photoss only). Epson is very nice but there ink jet system design is prone to plugging

[Jason McK]

Hey all,

Ok, so I'm going to ask here because the techie quotient is quite high :mrgreen: And apparently I'm not asking google for the right combination of words...

Been finding of late, we're using our inkjet (lexmark z1430) more and more for printing of larger (8x10/8.5x11) pictures. As it's way cheaper than paying walmart/superstore/blacks/etc for those same prints. However the lexmark just isn't doing the blue's justice; and the ink capacity leaves something to be desired :neutral:

Any recomendations on a replacement printer - something that may be more up to the task / more economical for printing the large pictures? I'd really like to get away from the all-in-one color cartridge if possible - as I know more often than not - it's only 1/3 of the color that's run out...

Any suggestions?

I beg to differ. I believe paying WalMart, Costco, Superstore for an 8X10 is a lot cheaper than printing at home. If you where to consider the paper, ink, and waste. Now I'm talking Photo Quality Paper, and ink. But if your tanking run of the mill ink and paper than yes Inkjet is cheaper. But you'll never achieve the quality.

Anyway that's not the question. Try Epson unlike other inkjet they use a piazo head technology that does not use heat to create the bulb of ink. This results in longer life heads and cheaper over all operations. Plus higher quality prints

J

[fencer]

Epson's flaw is having the nozzole head buildt into the printer and not the carts. I do believe that Walmert etc are on the same cost level. They use archival inks. As does any photo realistic printer.

[Jason McK]

Epson's flaw is having the nozzole head buildt into the printer and not the carts. I do believe that Walmert etc are on the same cost level. They use archival inks. As does any photo realistic printer.

WalMart uses Photographic paper as does Costco, London Drugs, SuperStore, Blacks.
I never thought that the nozzle in the printer was a flaw. They do not wear the same as in HP or Lexmark because they do not use heat. Therefore do not need replacement as often. Epson does have built-in cleaning systems to ensure the nozzle does not clog. But that is not always the case

J

[Gooly001]

I would recommend either Epson or Canon. I think that the more cartridge the better as the all-in-one's need to be replaced if you are out of a particular color. With the multi heads, you only need to change out the color that is used up. Ie. predominately Black gets used up faster and with the multi cartridge, you only have to change out black and not all the other colors.

You should also invest in a good monitor calibration software/hardware. Unless your monitor is calibrated correctly, what you see on the monitor may not reflect the same shade of color that the printer prints.

I agree with Jason, it is still cheaper to get your prints done at a big box store etc. The advantage to printing at home is that you can totally customize your photo via photoshop or printing the prints on special textured paper that is not available printing at the stores.

HTH.
________
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[fencer]

I have used many Epsons and they have clogged on me. They have an auto clean cycle which uses alot of ink. If the heads clog and you can't resolve the clog...you have to go out and buy a new printer. Canon or HP have heads in the carts...just throw the carts away and not the printer

[Veng68]

I always liked my friends Xerox Solid Ink Phaser printer :)

The only down sides are the initial cost of the printer and he does not know if he can use the photo paper in it (and he does not want to experiment)

Cheers,
Vic [veng68]

[AndyL]

8x10s are way cheaper at home... (4x6's and 5x7s are another story), usually ~3$ each at walmart/superstore (little more at blacks and futureshop). For the 22$ in inkjet refill I'll get roughly 20-25 prints (average - island inkjet tells me it is proper archival ink). Canon 50pk of 8.5x11 is 27$ (500sheets for 38$ on ebay) works out to roughly $1.34 per print...

Quality of the print - well so far, our prints usually come out better than the bigbox ones - at least we have the option to make our own adjustments...

Looked at canons, and epsons... Neither seem to do the wifi (at least at the under stupid expensive pricepoint) connections that HP and lexmark do; and I do like that :)

[Jason McK]

there is a website Drycreek (http://www.drycreekphoto.com/) That has many local photo lab's printer profiles on line for free download. Once downloaded and installed you can then perform all your Photoshop adjustments you want knowing that when you get them printed they will turn out exactly as you made then. The big thing is you need to tell the lab you have used their profile.

Costco has 8X10 for $1.39 online.

J

[AndyL]

Still more expensive than my current system (which uses a single cartridge for CMK); thus I'm thinking with a system with the 5-6 larger ink cartridges; should be even cheaper :) The ink in my world is the expensive thing (like I said... Ebay paper - cheap like borscht)