Dye sublimation printer for proofs in weddings

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

08/13/2015 07:55:12 PM · #1

Let me put this into perspective.

I've been using inkjet printers (mainly HP A4 photo printers with pigmet based inks) to do proofs of the photos in weddings during the reception. Even in these digital days, the prints that I sell to guests account for 25 to 30% of the income of the wedding.

But it's not easy to do this. Usually after the ceremony in the church, the photos of the bride and groom with the guests, during lunch me or my colleague go to the laptop and do a selection of photos (350 - 450 more or less) so that the guests can see them after the lunch or before the wedding ends. We do it in the best quality paper of HP and in a sheet we print 12 photo proofs.

With the inkjet printers this is becoming increasingly painfull. Color calibration is dificult, the printing is SLOW, and I do mean slow. In normal quality we are talking 3-4 minutes for a single A4 sheet. If you multiply this for several... easely over anhour just for the printing, and you have to had to this some file correction on LR... at least another hour (and this amount of time is growing with the bigger files from D800).

With the dye-sub printing the 8x12' sheeth (20x30cm) is less than 1 minute for what I've looked.

My question is has anybody gone this route also? If so do you recomend any brand? I'm currently looking at the DNP printers as htey do seem to offer the best price for this paper size.

How does the printing quality compares to a Fuji Frontier minilab or Durst Lambda? As if I go on this path I will also be doing some on location event printing for example.

Another way would be to get an A3+ high quality inkject printer to do this proofing and some fine art printing as well. But again thi sprinters although htey are high quality they are not known for their fast printing process.

Tank you for your help.

Bear_Music

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

08/13/2015 08:11:50 PM · #2

If you need quick proofs and speed trumps quality, color laser printers are FAST. I'm not sure why an on-site proof would have to be top quality... I have used dye-sublimation printers and was not impressed with the colors. But that was a while ago, and I suppose things may have changed.

Techo

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

08/13/2015 09:53:06 PM · #3

Understandably, 3-4min for an A4 print is slow for an event printer. Is the setting set to the highest quality? would lowering it one notch above standard help a bit? A 4x6 on good photo paper could look good even in standard. Are you using glossy or matte? Just to clarify... You print on the A4 and cut it down into 12 smaller prints? is this to achieve the borderless look? I print borderless onto stacks of 4x6 (or 5x7, and even a custom cut 2x3). It's annoying that it causes smears on the edges when switching from borderless to borders. I know it's time to upgrade. eta: nevermind, I re-read. So just an "index" proof sheet, no cutouts. doh!

The good color laser printers are quite hefty. There's a also a newer type of color laser that uses solid ink, but it did not look too impressive. Going from an inkjet pigment printer to a color laser might have one feeling spoiled ;)

Dye-sub might be the way to go for you because of the speed/quality balance. I haven't used one myself but have gone through many samples and tested a few out in stores. Drying time is a non issue (vs inkjet, pigment or dye). So that helps already. This one here is hefty but half the weight of many top models. It seems to be getting good reviews. Overview says it prints an 8x12 in 35seconds. //www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/770288-REG/Dnp_DS80_DS80_Professional_Portrait_Photo.html. Also, just calling the photography(they might have a Printer subcategory) sales department at B&H , someone can offer some live advice.

Don't know enough to comment on the whether the Fuji Frontier minilab or Durst Lambda is better or even worth it. Would do more research if you intend to do b/w prints.

Good luck!

Message edited by author 2015-08-13 22:29:50.

yakatme

Lytro Illum Light Field Digital

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

08/13/2015 11:59:11 PM · #4

I have a DNP DS-40 and it produces surprisingly great prints fast. The colors look perfect right out of the box.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/14/2015 01:33:34 AM · #5

i've also been using a couple different DNP models for years for event printing, etc. some useful info in this thread. 8x10/12 take about a minute to print, and you can really speed things up using Lightroom's built in contact-sheet generator.

08/16/2015 01:22:42 PM · #6

Thank's for all the info.

The DNP D80 is what I'm after if I decide to go for the dye sub printer.

Regarding the inkjet printer... It's not set to maximum quality, as it would double the printing time. And yes, for the on site proofing "normal" quality is good enouth. I usually choose 3 or 4 good photos that I also print in A4 full size in best quality so people understand that the less quality proofs is just due to... proofing and not bad photo quality.

As far as I research the new an dtop of the line inket printers have a wider color gamut and sharper printing than dye-sub, whith the differcence being very noticeable in black and white. And also durability is not as good. But I understand that some compromises are being made for the speed...

I'm afraid of jumping in to the dye-sub, as I have to live (and work) with my choice for the next couple of years...

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

08/16/2015 01:26:06 PM · #7

By the way... Are you doing proofing or seeing it on the day of the wedding? I was told that a lot of people is moving away from this, but the print buyns is an impulse buy, and the ones I didn't did any on site proofing and did only onluine proofing the prints I sold was negligible.

Techo

Canon EOS-7D

08/16/2015 04:46:42 PM · #8

I'm not sure of the wedding portrait business but I did recently read an interesting bit by Sue Bryce which might apply here ... //www.inbedwithsue.com/blog/the-reveal-wall . Of course it depends on price/packages but if it's $2,000 per wedding , this could be an interesting option to offer brides and close family members.