Printers

[ouch]

What printer would you recommend?

[qhsdoitall]

What are you predominately printing?

[ouch]

Looking at mostly 4x6's, with the occasional 8x10.

[qhsdoitall]

OK, so picture printing. Possibly borderless. That narrows it down. :biggrin: Let me think about it. Price range?

[ouch]

I am absolutely clueless as to where to begin.

[letterk]

Are you looking for printing photos only? All-in-one? Price? Space limitations?

[letterk]

Also, how often will you be printing?

[Austin]

I use a dedicated photo printer for pictures. I am currently using an HP Photosmart 8150. It prints nice pictures.

[qhsdoitall]

It's the 8x10 requirement. HP makes a nice portable
http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/storefronts/sp_promotional/1/storefronts/Q7101A%2523ABA;jsessionid=GUe8m1UXbmUMjlfUxEDHl5Qm OYl1oSYsdjbMyQm9hXJFSjdF2rjz!1733640764 (http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/storefronts/sp_promotional/1/storefronts/Q7101A%2523ABA;jsessionid=GUe8m1UXbmUMjlfUxEDHl5Qm OYl1oSYsdjbMyQm9hXJFSjdF2rjz%211733640764)

but it's 4x6 and 5x7 only. I too have a dedicated printer for photos. The main printer is a workhorse black & white laserjet. Daughter gets to print to a $50 Epson to keep her from using up my nice paper and inks on the photo printer.

[letterk]

Without a response to a few questions from Jay, I'll offer my opinion. Most pros use Epson and there are many reasons for that. But because Epson is often the gold standard in ink-jet printing, there are more color profiles for accessories, more color profiles for non-printer brand papers, more articles on use, etc... They make outstanding photos and offer an range of printers that fit most every use and budget. The one drawback to Epson...their print heads are not easily replaceable. If you aren't going to print at least once a week, the heads could become clogged and you're better off just buying a new printer (especially for the lower-end models). However, I'm on my second Epson Photo printer and have only once almost experienced this. About 20 cleanings finally got it unclogged, but I was about to order another one if it hadn't.

One last comment, I haven't been very impressed with ANY 4x6 only printer. While the convenience is nice, I don't feel the quality is up to par given the price.

[DoubleE]

I've used a dedicated Canon i950 for prints for several years now and it does a decent job. Individual ink cartridges which I like and reproduces most colors accurately. Lousy for B&W prints however.

[tim8557]

I don't know specifics, but I very sincerely feel that you'll never go wrong buying an HP printer.

[ratcheer]

And I have always preferred Epson printers. "Opinions are like...." :biggrin:

Tim

[qhsdoitall]

I'm trying to unclog an HP 6127 as we speak. Still like them though. It's really a tossup between HP, Canon, Epson and Lexmark. Just have to find a fit for what you are doing.

[ouch]

I'd prefer something fairly small. It will be for photos only, and I don't know how frequently it will get used. I tend to do things in spurts. It may sit idle for 2-3 weeks then have to pound out 50 pics.

Some people have recommended using the printing services of adorama, etc. But............. I'd rather keep things in house.

Speed isn't a priority, but I'd really like to be able to get high quality prints.

What are the pros/cons of inkjet vs. dye sublimation (sounds more like a psychiatic term to me)? Cost per print?

[letterk]

I'd prefer something fairly small. It will be for photos only, and I don't know how frequently it will get used. I tend to do things in spurts. It may sit idle for 2-3 weeks then have to pound out 50 pics.

Rule out Epson. My next choice would be Canon. They have a number of small, high quality printers. Get one with separate ink cartridges.


Some people have recommended using the printing services of adorama, etc. But............. I'd rather keep things in house.

I do both. I do snapshots (4x6) from Target through flickr. Costs less and is very fast and easy. Anything larger I do from home.


Speed isn't a priority, but I'd really like to be able to get high quality prints.

From what I've seen, speed isn't much of an issue with photo printers. They're all slow!


What are the pros/cons of inkjet vs. dye sublimation (sounds more like a psychiatic term to me)? Cost per print?

That's a big topic. However, home inkjet photo printers outsell dye sub, so that tells you something. The quality of my inkjet is better than anything else except the real high-end, but that's because I can control the entire process.

[ouch]

Thanks for the tips.

[kennethw]

I use an Epson Stylus Photo R800, which even prints on CDs. I love it, but have to wrestle with it to get the colors I want (which will be the case with any printer). I haven't pulled the trigger on a good printer calibration package.

[ouch]

Do any of these printers work directly off of a USB flash drive? For me, that would be the easiest way to move pics around.

[Austin]

Do any of these printers work directly off of a USB flash drive? For me, that would be the easiest way to move pics around.

Most picture printers have different interfaces for SD, etc.

[ouch]

Most picture printers have different interfaces for SD, etc.

It seems that they all do, but what I meant was something a bit different.

If I have a picture on one computer, for example, can I put that pic on a portable flash drive (NOT the memory card from the camera) and plug it directly into the printer (at another location), or would it have to be hooked up to the PC?

[letterk]

It seems that they all do, but what I meant was something a bit different.

If I have a picture on one computer, for example, can I put that pic on a portable flash drive (NOT the memory card from the camera) and plug it directly into the printer (at another location), or would it have to be hooked up to the PC?

Yes, most photo printers have all the major memory slot types. Many have LCD screens so you can see the actual photo on the printer before you print.

[letterk]

I use an Epson Stylus Photo R800, which even prints on CDs. I love it, but have to wrestle with it to get the colors I want (which will be the case with any printer). I haven't pulled the trigger on a good printer calibration package.

That's definitely a drawback. Especially if you don't have your monitor calibrated. I calibrate my monitor regularly, and while I haven't calibrated my printer, I know what color adjustments I need to make to get the colors I want consistently (through a lot of experimentation).

[ouch]

Yes, most photo printers have all the major memory slot types. Many have LCD screens so you can see the actual photo on the printer before you print.

Just to be sure we're on the same page-

I don't like to remove the memory card from the camery. I like to transport pictures on a thumb drive/ flash drive/ SanDisk Cruzer/ portable whateverthehellyouwannacallit.

[letterk]

Just to be sure we're on the same page-

I don't like to remove the memory card from the camery. I like to transport pictures on a thumb drive/ flash drive/ SanDisk Cruzer/ portable whateverthehellyouwannacallit.

Just make sure there's a USB port on the printer. Many, if not most, have this now.

[ouch]

Great. I would hate to find out that I couldn't do that.

[letterk]

Great. I would hate to find out that I couldn't do that.

Let us know what printers you narrow it down to, and I'll check it out to make sure you can.

[ouch]

You da man!

[Treedoc]

Without a response to a few questions from Jay, I'll offer my opinion. Most pros use Epson and there are many reasons for that. But because Epson is often the gold standard in ink-jet printing, there are more color profiles for accessories, more color profiles for non-printer brand papers, more articles on use, etc... They make outstanding photos and offer an range of printers that fit most every use and budget. The one drawback to Epson...their print heads are not easily replaceable. If you aren't going to print at least once a week, the heads could become clogged and you're better off just buying a new printer (especially for the lower-end models). However, I'm on my second Epson Photo printer and have only once almost experienced this. About 20 cleanings finally got it unclogged, but I was about to order another one if it hadn't.

If you have problems with cloggage (another new word, no charge!) and you are at the point of throwing the printer out and buying new, try this: find empty ink cartridges and fill them with clean water, you may have to flush them out to get them reasonably clean. Fit them and print a large image, over and over, if that doesn't work go ahead and get a new printer.
John.