[Tom Swaman]

August,

How nice to find someone who asks questions first to avoid problems. I, for one, think you have come to a great place to get some answers and also some ideas.

I think it is important for you to list the criteria in more detail than you have. For example:

1 ) Is there any chance you want to print larger than 11 inch X 14 inch?

2 ) Do you want your prints to have archival properties?

3 ) How will your prints be displayed and/or stored?

4 ) Do you intend to print in color? In B&W? In both?

5 ) Do you intend to print on heavy paper or canvas?

6 ) How often do you intend to use your printer and for what periods of time?

7 ) Is printing speed an issue?

8 ) Is printer space or weight an issue?

9 ) When printing, do you plan to be at the printer all the time or are you looking for a more or less automatic printier?

10 ) Are you looking for an introductory printer or one you can keep and use for an extended time while you grow your printing skills?

11 ) Do you want to print on precut paper sheets or on roll paper?

12 ) Do you intend to use your printer for other than photographic printing?

13 ) Do you intend to let your printer do your color management or your editing software do your color management.

14 ) Do you want your printer to support your business or your avocation?

15 ) Will you do your printer maintenance or will this be done by others.

16 ) Do you plan to purchase your printer via mail order or from a nearby dealer?

17 ) Do you intend to make average prints, excellent prints or unique and possibly exhibition prints?

18 ) Is initial cost a major issue and if so, what is your desired budget?

19 ) Is use cost a major issue?

August, you may want to pose some of these criteria as individual questions to get feedback on which printers fit your bill and your bills. Printing is fun and rewarding if you own the printer rather than the printer owns you.

Tom