Printing photos
- Thread starter JEB
- Start date
GWguy
*
Ink jet will make for a much sharper and precise photo when used with the right paper. Laser doesn't have the same level of resolution. Ink jet is way cheaper than laser, although prices are coming down. If you do a lot of photos, expect to pay FAR in excess of the cost of the ink jet printer in the cost of replacement ink cartridges. Laser is more economical in the long run.
Best thing to do is go to someplace that has a bunch lined up, and run test prints (display units usually have built in patterns). Staples does. Look at the resolution specs and cartridge replace cost vs number of prints.
Best thing to do is go to someplace that has a bunch lined up, and run test prints (display units usually have built in patterns). Staples does. Look at the resolution specs and cartridge replace cost vs number of prints.
wch
New Member
I use a HP 3915 printer and though the software that came with it is useless combined with the windows pic and fax viewer it is awesome. As far as paper goes I use HP photo with gloss finish. HP premium jams every other page and Kodak paper sucks. it also has problems aligning business cards to the page. Don't know if it is printer/program issue but since iI don't print them for a living it is not much of a problem. I buy Ink in 2 pack color and 1 pack black since I use more of one than the other. I can't remember the price but it was reasonable. Everyone that has seen the 8x10 that I have printed thinks they are awesome.
Something to look out for is a # larger than 600 dpi.
Something to look out for is a # larger than 600 dpi.
jbr13
www.jbr.smugmug.com
I read an article in either Popular Photography or Shutterbug magazine last year about buying photo printers. I can't find a link to it online so I will sum it up. The guy writting the article had some good point on not buying a photo printer. His reasoning was, as follows
You buy a photo quality printer for $200, 50 sheets of paper for $20, then replacement inks for another $50-$100 depending on the printer and how many cartridges. For the price of all this you could get CVS or Walmart to print a lot of 8 X 10's at $1.96 per print. Then about the time you think you could break even on your printer you have to buy more paper or more ink again.
His point was if you live with in about 15-20 minutes of a CVS or some place that that does photo printing you get ahead on just using them.
Something else to think about it, is how to make sure your photos come off the printer as they look on the screen. There are several item out to calibrate your monitor and your printer to get the true colors displayed and printer, but this is at another hundred or so dollars. Calibration assures that you don't get a print out that has a red, blue, or green tint to your picture, or a dark print.
For myself it makes sense. I usually keep a folder of photos ready for printing, and wait for Adorama.com to run their 8X10's for a $1 each and order online. Plus I have got 16X20 prints from them on sale for $4.95.
Just another option to concider.
J
You buy a photo quality printer for $200, 50 sheets of paper for $20, then replacement inks for another $50-$100 depending on the printer and how many cartridges. For the price of all this you could get CVS or Walmart to print a lot of 8 X 10's at $1.96 per print. Then about the time you think you could break even on your printer you have to buy more paper or more ink again.
His point was if you live with in about 15-20 minutes of a CVS or some place that that does photo printing you get ahead on just using them.
Something else to think about it, is how to make sure your photos come off the printer as they look on the screen. There are several item out to calibrate your monitor and your printer to get the true colors displayed and printer, but this is at another hundred or so dollars. Calibration assures that you don't get a print out that has a red, blue, or green tint to your picture, or a dark print.
For myself it makes sense. I usually keep a folder of photos ready for printing, and wait for Adorama.com to run their 8X10's for a $1 each and order online. Plus I have got 16X20 prints from them on sale for $4.95.
Just another option to concider.
J
As the others pointed out...its so not worth it. You'll love it for the first month, when you will go through hundreds of sheets of paper and a few cartridges and your pictures will look....decent. You'll slowly get bored with it and forget to get a new cartridge so you'll say screw it and order prints from CVS....realize how incredibly simple and cheap that was, and go home and disconnect the printer and try to sell it on ebay.
Oh, wait, thats my story.
Don't do it. I'd rather spend money on a new camera than on a pic printer
Oh, wait, thats my story.
Don't do it. I'd rather spend money on a new camera than on a pic printer
Tomcat
Anytime
I read in a photo magazine that you should use the same type of paper as the make of your printer. If you've got an HP printer, use HP paper, if you've got a Canon, use Canon paper etc. Each manufacturer uses a coating on the paper that is compatible with their ink. Of course this all goes out the window if you're using generic replacement ink or paper. I wasn't happy with some of my prints, switched paper and it made a world of difference.