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08/05/2013 08:21:40 PM · #1 |
I haven't owned my own printer in years but it may be time to invest in a decent one. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
I'd want to have the capability to print up to 16 x 20 in black & white or color on various papers. It would be important to be able to replace the ink as easily and economically as possible. A high quality print is important otherwise why bother.
Lastly, all of this at a reasonable price. (smile) |
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08/05/2013 08:39:00 PM · #2 |
Originally posted by Trotterjay:
I haven't owned my own printer in years but it may be time to invest in a decent one. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
I'd want to have the capability to print up to 16 x 20 in black & white or color on various papers. It would be important to be able to replace the ink as easily and economically as possible. A high quality print is important otherwise why bother.
Lastly, all of this at a reasonable price. (smile) |
I admit I'm in a different game, but I no longer own a photo quality printer. Those printers are money pits. It's completely obvious why they sell the printers for a song. Paper and ink are terribly expensive. And, if you make a mistake with your print, you double or triple your losses. I've switched completely to a pro lab (Meridian Pro from Parsons, KS.) They exactly match in a print on Kodak Endura paper (or aluminum) what I have produced on my screen. They are reasonable in cost, especially for the smaller prints. They are very fast in service, with same day shipping if I send the digital files early enough in the day. Usually two day delivery.
Okay, sometimes I miss the convenience of printing at home. But, not very often. I don't long for the 'good old days' of printing my own prints at home. |
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08/05/2013 10:55:20 PM · #3 |
| That's good info. to know Richard. That is exactly why I ditched my printers 10 years ago. I just thought, by now, that technology has changed and perhaps it is something worth looking at. But you know the more I think about it the payback would take years for the few prints I'd be making. Labs, in general, are just so inexpensive these days - and quick. Thanks for your sound advice. |
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08/06/2013 08:53:44 AM · #4 |
Whether or not it's worth it depends on what you want to do. Just like back in the days when film and silver halide were king, it's easier to turn control of the printing process over to a lab. You also are turning over control over an aspect of producing your art. For some, that's a big deal, for others not so much. YMMV.
I have a 13"x19" photo printer that I use when I feel like making prints and I'm going to use it to print digital negatives onto transparencies for platinum/palladium printing later this year. I'm pretty sure using a lab for that would be impossible since the curve of the negative from the printer has to be matched to the exact Pl/Pd process being used. (At least if you want to get the most out of that kind of process)
For most of my snapshots, Walgreens is adequate and cheap. For art prints, I'll usually send them to a lab unless I am doing something special or need turnaround in hours, not days (it happens).
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