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06/11/2007 11:07:11 AM · #1 |
| Which one is better. I have a nice printer (Canon ip4200). Would I be better off printing at home or going to a printers. |
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06/11/2007 11:14:27 AM · #2 |
I find that having a shop print for me not only gives me better results, but its cheaper too unless I'm just printing one copy of something. Still its great to have a decent printer at home for those times when you do just want onesies.
PS, I like Smugmug for proofs, etc. and Millers (MPix) for large/mounted/framed prints & books.
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06/11/2007 11:20:32 AM · #3 |
IMO:
If you have time, the shop should print at higher quality using longer lasting processes with greater colour fidelity and gamut than your printer. It will be cheaper at smaller print sizes especially in bulk runs.
If you have no time, or want to prepare larger prints at lowest possible cost, you are proofing, or don't really care about having the best available quality, then print at home.
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06/11/2007 11:42:42 AM · #4 |
I have the Epson 3800 which will print up to 17x37" (cut sheet) using archival inks. My original plan was to print most of my medium-to-large images at home (i.e. 11x14 up to 16x24) and send everything else out to the shop for printing. Smaller because it's cheaper. Larger because I can't print anything wider than 17" (i.e. 20x30" is out of the question).
What I have found is that, for the time and expense it would take me to drive to the shop and back (usually during rush hour) I end up printing a lot of the smaller stuff at home.
I do use Smugmug (and several other online services) and so, where it makes sense (either for a large order, or where the customer doesn't live near me), I use an online service to fulfill the order. |
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06/11/2007 01:56:50 PM · #5 |
Remember that you are talking about two entirely different processes here, CMYK inks sprayed onto "regular" paper vs RGB-sensitive silver-halide photographic paper exposed by a laser.
Remember that inkjet printers have only been around about 20 years -- all statements regarding their archival qualities are estimates based on "accelerated aging" tests. We know how long silver-halide prints will last.
I find it's far cheaper and less hassle to order photo prints than to print at home -- by the time you factor in wasted paper and ink and time spent in calibration I don't think inkjets are any cheaper than the photo prints I get at Costco. |
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