Printer advice needed - DPChallenge Forums

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

04/23/2009 08:39:09 PM · #1

Hi All,

I am in desperate need of some suggestions for a new printer. At the moment I just have a basic Canon Pixma ip4200 which is costing me around Â£50 a month in ink! Due to the increase in the amount of information I will need to print in the future I want to get a printer that produces decent work but that doesn't cost a fortune in ink every month.

I will say that money isn't an issue at this stage, so suggestions for any type of printer would be gratefully received.

Cheers,

Natalya :)

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

04/23/2009 09:03:16 PM · #2

What is the primary purpose, and are you looking for a laser printer or an inkjet? Laser/LED printers are more cost effective per page than an inkjet, but even color models do not produce glossy photo quality output.

Message edited by author 2009-04-24 00:04:21.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

04/24/2009 06:46:03 AM · #3

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

The printer will mainly be used to print information leaflets for people who contact us through our brain tumour information and support website.

Ecce Signum mentioned laser printers but neither of us know anything about them! Any help would be gratefully received :)

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/24/2009 07:00:38 AM · #4

I'm pretty sure

Yo_Spiff already has one aaaaallllll picked out for you.... ;)

Canon FD 70-210mm f/4.0 MF

04/24/2009 07:46:46 AM · #5

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

I'm pretty sure Yo_Spiff already has one aaaaallllll picked out for you.... ;)

LOL, I should have added it needs to fit on the desk of my small 'office'! ;)

shutterpuppy

Sony Alpha a7

04/24/2009 10:30:44 AM · #6

I have an HP Laserjet P2015d that works very well. The toner cartridges are sort of pricey, but they last a long time and you can use recycled cartridges that cost a lot less than new ones from the manufacturer. I have had good results with Cartridge World cartridges. (//www.cartridgeworldusa.com/)

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

04/24/2009 12:33:48 PM · #7

I'd say a color laser would do the job for you.

One important thing that will affect supply costs is the way the toner/image unit is built. The least expensive models will have the photoconductor/developer unit (hereafter called an "IU", or "Image Unit")combined with the toner. Many traditional laser printers are made this way. When you replace the "toner" you are also replacing the drum and developer. This simplifies service for you because the items that wear the heaviest are replaced every time the toner runs out. It also makes the IU's more expensive. When you buy a "recharged" or refurbished" cartridge, this is a unit that has been cleaned, inspected and the developer and toner have been replaced. The photoconductor usually has been reused. Quality of refurbs varies, but they do have a higher failure rate then if you always buy new ones.

Some manufacturers make the IU and toner separate. When you replace the toner, the toner is all you are changing. This makes it less expensive for normal usage, and the Image Unit is longer lasting, but every now and then you will have to replace the Image Unit itself. There are 4 of them in a color printer. The other major consumable item that will need periodic replacement is the transfer belt. Some lower end models may not have a transfer belt because they make 4 rotations of the photoconductor, one time to pick up each color. Obviously, these models print slowly due to making 4 passes for each print. Most models these days have gone to using the transfer belt system as it improves print speed. You will only have a transfer belt in a color printer.

Also be aware of the printer language it uses. The cheapest models will use something GDI, which actually uses your computer to process the print job. GDI print speed, therefore is dependent on how powerful your computer is. GDI is also a Windows-only technology. Then there is PCL, the HP Printer Control Language which I think should suffice for your stated purpose. If you use a Mac, make sure to get something which has PostScript. Genuine Adobe PostScript will add to the cost of a printer, since licensing fees have to be paid to Adobe. Many manufacturers use an emulated postscript compatible interpreter. Most of the models I deal with use an emulated PostScript, and they work just fine.

As far a specific make and model recommendation, I don't have any, as my experience is mostly with the larger networked beasties that are also used as copiers and scanners. I do know people I can ask for technician feedback on specific models if there is something in particular you are considering.

I do recommend staying away from the $500 models and spending a little more. Especially stay away from Brother. They have a reputation among technicians as being disposable, unserviceable junk. But they are cheap. (Not sure if that brand is even sold in the UK.)

One recommendation I do have, especially since this is for business use of what is probably a reasonable volume, is to stay away from the "office mart" type places and get something from a dealer who actually know something about the product and what it can do. If you buy from a smaller company that does not have a dedicated sales staff, then the guy selling you the machine is also the one that will have to service it for you and deal with you if you are unhappy. He will be sure to sell you something suitable that you will be happy with. Don't expect much negotiation on price, however. Margins are very slim on printers like this. Sometimes they are not making anything and are hoping to make a little on the supplies.

Probably more about laser printers than you really needed to know, but I hope it helps.

Message edited by author 2009-04-24 12:37:36.