I'm in the market for an inkjet printer that can print up to 11" x 14" images. I'm looking for a top quality machine and am told that Epson is the way to go. I would appreciate any suggestion you might have. Also, what is the best paper to use with that particular machine. Thanks.
What is the best printer?
(14 posts) (11 voices)-
Posted 3 years ago #
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In all honesty, you'd have better luck with actual optical printing, which can be done pretty much at any Wal-Mart, Costco, or online, at Adorama. But if you want an inkjet printer, the best color inkjet prints that I've seen have been from an Epson.
Posted 3 years ago # -
The problem I have with Wal-mart et al is consistency. When they are good, they very good. When they are bad....... I used to own a photo lab and I know that place like WM with their high volumes change chemistry frequently without always cleaning the processors thoroughly each time. This leads to contamination and inconsistency.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Lots of labs are moving to chemical free printing, sort of like a $100,000 ink jet printer and I think this incl better printing software should lead to more consistent printing results
Anyway to get your own: Epson has a good low end like the 1400, it's cheap but expensive to operate. The HP 8850 is a bit more expensive and each Ink Cartridges are larger and more expensive, but more cost effective(cost/volume of ink)
I print at work, with the cost of printer,ink and paper it simply to expensive to print at home.
Pete
Posted 3 years ago # -
I use Epson printers and their quality is outstanding. BUT their printers use up A LOT of ink and it's expensive. If you want total control over your prints for just you then an Epson printer would be great. However your also going to need to spend $$$ to make sure your monitor is properly calibrated because like I said the ink is expensive. I mean expensive in the long run not cost per ink cartridge.
If your going to print only on occasion then a good "pro" lab would be better option for that size.
Posted 3 years ago # -
+1 for optical printing. Inkjets are only economical if you're doing poster size.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Actually were I work we are changing to digital Noritsu (inkjet) printing system, it is a very large printer with 500ml ink cartridges, to be honest with you I have not seen anything printed from it yet and a bit uncertain to how this will work out
Pete
Posted 3 years ago # -
If you compare the 24" models From Epson,Hp and Canon, theres minor differences between colors, one has a litle better blues one has a litle better green, but i guarentee you, if you view each one for themselves, you couldnt tell the difference, absolutely stunning print quality.
Besides that, HP has an build in gretag-macbeth spectrophotometer, so if one was only to get 1 printer, that would definately be a good option, also comming in cheaper than the Epson 7900.
The Canons and HP's seem to have less clogging issues shown tru time than Epson when it comes to not being used that regularely, but im not sure if that "issue" has been solved with the new 900 series like the 7900.But ill seccond what Niko said, in that size,and only on occasion, a lab would be your best option.
i own a HP Z3200PS myself, and i have owned an Epson 7880, i still have the Epson 3800, and i have to say, even tho i have a spectrophotometer kit besides the one built in the HP, i still like the HP, its awesome, the print quality is superb,not that the quality on the 3800 isnt.Posted 3 years ago # -
I prefer HP for software, compatibility and support (the only company that gives you usable ICC profiles for almost any paper on the market).
Epson is very good if you stick to Epson paper, at least in my opinion.Posted 3 years ago # -
I had good luck using Walgreens printing service. It allows you to upload your photos at home and pick them up in store...which I am sure many other places allow.
The only down side is that if you are trying to print something in black and white, you will get almost a 16bit grey scale. The fading from one shade of grey to another isn't nearly as smooth as it should be.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Will support NIko, if You print occasionally than don't do it at home - lab will do a better job and it's gonna cost You less. As for printer brands I would go for epson, either 1800 or 3800. Another choice is to get color laser. The quality wouldn't be as good as from inkjet, but it's a good way to see the pictures on paper and decide which one You like most. Actually, I do it that way - print couple photos at home, and than I choose which one I like most and do the rest in a lab.
However, if You decide to buy ink jest printer, and do all Your stuff at home, than google for some alternative ink supply options. There are solutions available for most popular printers. The only drawback is that the installation gonna cost You almost the same as the printer, but You will be able to print for much less.
Posted 3 years ago # -
and if you're set on using an inkjet occasionally at home - print at least one color 4x6 a month - if you need to or not. It's cheaper than the amount of ink you'll "waste" cleaning the jets.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I am looking at getting an Epson 7890 printer and wonder if anyone else has used this printer or has any advice on it.
I also need to get a new monitor and some sort of monitor calibration device, any input here would be appreciated. I see there are some calibration devices that cost around 200 but others can be 500 or more, what is the real difference?
Now my rant...why is the camera's output, printer cut-sheets, and common picture frame sizes not the same. I understand there is probably a history lesson behind that question but figure I would put it out there. The only sizes I find all three to match are a 4x6 and 24x36. The 4x6 is rather small for what I want. The 24x36 would make me want to borrow a D3x unless I get that perfect shot (no cropping on my current camera). I think printing this big is okay, just don’t expect to put your face right up to the picture and expect perfection from a print this big, from normal viewing distances should still look fine.
I figured I would avoid some of this with getting a printer that can print on rolls and then most people crop their pictures to some degree. In the end if you really like the picture like it is I guess buy a custom frame if they don’t make the size you are looking for.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I own the Epson 3800, the newest model is the 3880. I ordered the same photo from MPIX.com and White House Custom Color, then printed the same photo on the Epson 3800. No one has been able to tell the difference. I use Red River paper, Arctic Polar Satin. I use the XRite Color Munki to profile both the monitor and printer.
Posted 1 year ago #
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