Do you print your own photos?

FlyTVR

FlyTVR

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No
I've not printed my own shots for ages, but I am tempted to go back down that route.

I've got loads of shots I'd like to print, frame and stick on the wall. If I sell any work then I'll still use the likes of PhotoBox etc.

Anyway, what sort of quality can I expect from home printing these days?

What would be the entry level price for a printer?
 
you can expect quality in line with how much you spend on a printer to be honest and whether it's calibrated to your monitor

the offerings from epson are very good and hp/canon are also offering decent quality but this will also differ based on what paper/medium you're using and as i've said above calibration

printer size will be the main differentiator in price a4/a3 etc with ink types being the next standard cymk vs kodachrome type stuff

that's about the best generic advice i can give :)
 
I haven't used my Epson R2400 for about 18months - since I started using DS Colour Labs. I can't buy good ink and paper for what they charge.
 
-Oy- said:
I haven't used my Epson R2400 for about 18months - since I started using DS Colour Labs. I can't buy good ink and paper for what they charge.
Click to expand...

I was thinking cost might be an issue.

TeaVe
 
Cost is an issue when home printing - there's no doubt that it's cheaper to send them off to be printed but that's ALWAYS been the case, even back in the days of home darkrooms and B&W D&P. Being able to adjust a print that looks a little "off" (it happens, even with a calibrated set-up) and do instant reprints is a major plus, as is a little of the old magic; not quite as magical as seeing an image appear in the tray under a safe light but there as something about seeing a blank sheet turn to pretty colours (or even mono!).

Costs for the printers themselves vary a lot from retailer to retailer, as can print quality. Try to find somewhere that stocks a selection and ask them for some test prints. 6x4 prints are as good for this as full page A3+ ones as long as you pick the right subject etc. If somewhere does this for you, please repay them with your custom - those prints aren't free! Ink and paper costs can be reduced by shopping around but beware, 3rd party inks may not be the bargain they seem, with poor colours, short print longevity and print head blockages being not unknown... Stick to genuine inks and the problems shoiuld be much rarer. 7dayshop are a good place to start looking for the best prices on ink and paper but (as the name may suggest), fast delivery isn't one of their strongest points!
 
I print at home as my colour calibration isn't 100% so I like to have control over the output and any corrections that need doing. Plus I'm printing in small quantities so cost equals out after P&P.
 
my printer isnt up to doing the job...epson cx3200 but my daughter does her own snaps...epson r265..its got loads of inks..and the results are good enough

so for the present i am still a costco man...the do good prints
 
Stick to film, it's far less expensive and will knock spots off digital anyday (well that's my opinion which isn't worth much!) ;) :lol:

Nigel.
 
I use an Epson R220, which I've had for years, for printing. I'm more than happy with the results I get using Ilford Gallerie Smooth Pearl. I sell them on @ £10 a go.
For events I use a Kodak 1400 dye-sub. Its slow to use, but again I make around £16/ sheet. (cost is around 70p) Orders from my website go straight to Photo box for ease of use.
Webby
 
I've got one of those with horrendous running costs :)

HP B9180 and yes it's £26 for a cart and it has eight. I don't have to replace them all at once which is just as well but usually buy two at a time and generally have to buy some every three months. The paper I use is from Calumet and is the Brilliant Matte which is about £25 again for a box of A3 (50 sheets)

I've not counted how many sheets I put through it otherwise I could easily calculate the cost/print. (Must get the abacus out then I can count the prints :))

It does also depend what you are printing. If you print a lot of white background studio stuff your print costs are going to be less than if you print a lot of black framed stuff as you will be using more ink to lay down the black. (White does not cost anything to print;))

I like having my printer at home because I have a large portfolio that I will print off and just pop the print in there. I also have a series of photo frames that I can swop the prints around in and if I'm doing something with advertising potential I can take some suitable framed prints along :)

I think the real benefit (to me) is that because of the convenience I will print off an image there and then whereas if I had to order one or two at a time I'd be more inclined to wait till I had a decent amount to order and then I'd never get round to ordering them.
 
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