Which printer NOT to buy?

[JimAuburn]

Which photo printers have you been disappointed in, and why?

[Tom Swaman]

I recommend against any printer using dye-based inks today due to their stability issues. If you have a question about this, just take a dye-based ink print on a good photo paper and cover up a portion of this, sit it in a window and come back 1 month to 3 months later and take a good look. No, I do not believe that most dye-based inks are even close to being stable for extended periods of time unless you keep the photo in the dark, low humidity and low temperature.

[Careful]

Epson has come out with a new dye based ink used in there new 4x6 printers that has some impressive archival qualities almost comparable to there pigmented inks used in there larger format and professional printers. For scientific evidence of ink quality Wilhelm Imaging has done testing that seems to support the general statement that pigmented ink printers are better from an archival stand point, but I have heard little discussion as to whether or not pigmented inks cause shorter print head life or require more maintenance which I would be interested in knowing.

The Wilhelm test information can be found at Wilhelm Imaging Research.

When looking at the test results I am impressed by the Non framed test results showing that the pigmented inks do not fade as quickly as the old dye based inks and it looks like we may now be able to display our prints without glass. The type of paper used when printing is also an important factor when looking at print longevity.

[usnrs]

i don't know if it's the type you're looking for, but i hate my hp 1510 "all in one". my wife has stopped me from running it over with the truck on more than one occasion.

[stratcat55]

It depends on your needs. If your printing photos get a photo printer. Stay away from bargain printers.

[riha]

Also, check prices for ink for the different printers. Many printers are a bargain to buy, but the ink may be expensive later on when it is time for ink replacement.

[jimiw]

I have a HP 1401 all in one and I love it, the black ink is under 15.00 and the color is under 20.00 although I havent purchased the photo ink or printed a photo. For common printer needs its perfect for what I need. Jimi

[Bloo Dog]

Originally Posted by Tom Swaman

I recommend against any printer using dye-based inks today due to their stability issues. If you have a question about this, just take a dye-based ink print on a good photo paper and cover up a portion of this, sit it in a window and come back 1 month to 3 months later and take a good look. No, I do not believe that most dye-based inks are even close to being stable for extended periods of time unless you keep the photo in the dark, low humidity and low temperature.

What do you think would happen to a color photo created by an RGB laser digital printer if you were to leave it in direct sunlight for three months with no glass in front of it to protect it from UV radiation?

If you leave any image in direct sunlight, you'll lose color.

If one wants to avoid the dyes in a giclee printer in order to minimize fading, we're talking about the difference between spending about a thousand dollars (for a REALLY good jet printer) or less (for a pretty good one), and spending THOUSANDS of dollars for a laser RGB printer which costs megabucks.

[DAVE PROUTY]

My HP PSC1610 is the pits! When it prints it's fine, but getting the paper to go through it is about 99% miss. The rollers don't grab the paper to run it through the printer. Jams 4x6 paper everytime, and even plain paper 8.5 x 11 needs to be babysat to get it to take it. If I didn't get this thing fro free with the computer it would be deep sixed in the lake! Piece of JUNK! IF and WHEN I run it out of ink, it's a home for bugs at the dump. I have a scanner to use and to make copies the scanner will work fine in conjunction with another printer. These front loading things are terrible. Won't buy one that works that way again.

[trentchau]

Anything that begins with lex, and ends with mark.

[jfrancho]

All of them, unless its a cheap monochrome laser printer. Home printers are for dittos. Get your photographic prints from a lab.

[badpickev]

dont buy a broken one. oh brother.......

[jfrancho]

oh brother.......

You mean these? Welcome to Brother International

[stdon]

Originally Posted by jfrancho

All of them, unless its a cheap monochrome laser printer. Home printers are for dittos. Get your photographic prints from a lab.

I don't agree at all. I used to have MPix and WHCC do my printing. (Both worthies in the lab business) After an easy setup when I got an R1800 my personal output has much improved and I have total control. Plus I get to use the papers I want and not something else that doesn't totally satisfy me or my customers.

BTW to the original question being very close to HP land and being able to get buys on HP printers through friends that are engineers for HP every one I've tried (I gave up after 3) ended up being used for target practice in my backyard. I've had "0", nada issues with any Epson I've had or have except for a Dye R260 I returned.

[jfrancho]

I doubt that your R1800 does all the finishing that I get from WHCC. Does it do gallery wraps? does it print 4x6 proofs on 5x7 texture paper and spiral bind it? What about mounting on mat or foam? What about press stuff? Christmas Cards? Books? Home printing is fine for a lot of things, but it is still at the hobbyist stage when it comes to printing above 13".

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by jfrancho

I doubt that your R1800 does all the finishing that I get from WHCC. Does it do gallery wraps? does it print 4x6 proofs on 5x7 texture paper and spiral bind it? What about mounting on mat or foam? What about press stuff? Christmas Cards? Books? Home printing is fine for a lot of things, but it is still at the hobbyist stage when it comes to printing above 13".

Ditto what John said. In addition to the finishing options available from a pro lab, I don't have to deal with maintaining ink inventory, paper selection/testing, monitor/printer calibration, the initial capital investments, too much room on my desk, and yet another device to maintain a driver or that can fail in my workflow.

[martin-images]

Originally Posted by jfrancho

I doubt that your R1800 does all the finishing that I get from WHCC. Does it do gallery wraps? does it print 4x6 proofs on 5x7 texture paper and spiral bind it? What about mounting on mat or foam? What about press stuff? Christmas Cards? Books? Home printing is fine for a lot of things, but it is still at the hobbyist stage when it comes to printing above 13".

I agree and disagree with your post, OK home printers wont do a lot of the advanced things you mention, but as far as printing out your own images and selling as plain prints and providing a service for matting and framing its the best way to go, why, you have total control of the finished product, I print until I get the result I want not what the Lab decides, i sell hundreds of pictures a year , monochrome on various types~finishes fine Art papers, the same with colour, one other advantage is time, order a print from me and its done and posted the next day, to say that home printing is still at the hobbyist stage above 13inch is not true, a good printer like the Epson 3800. and canons equivalent iPF5100 very capable printers that produce outstanding results at affordable prices at A2 and above, all depends on what you want from a printer if you only do the odd one now and again then the lab is the cheapest option, if you sell numerous prints then it would be worthwhile spending the money on a quality pro model and controlling the output your self

Martin