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Photo Printer to get started

Karl Witt
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Photo Printer to get started

Hello to all!

Shamefully I have never printed any of images, just seems to be one of those things that has escaped me. I tried sending files to one of the recommended printers and the 5 pics I sent all came back dark as test prints. Honestly how to prepare a file that I view on the screen to send off to get printed baffles me so I would like to purchase somewhat of home Photo Printer to do my own.
Majority of prints will be 11x14 or under however a larger print could be possible at times. Suggests on brand and sources for help is appreciated please and thanks! Not trying to get a ton of money wrapped up into a printer that I can't comprehend. Budget, I guess under $300-$1200 and the lower the better if there is such a thing. I guess I really don't understand printing ...... yet

so all your help will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks help!!
Karl

Sep 14, 2023 at 08:52 AM

Tom In Arizona
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Photo Printer to get started

Hi Karl...

I have had versions of the (now retired) Canon Pro-100 for many years and they have performed flawlessly. Like you, I am only an occasional printer and the Canon Pro-100 ink system has never clogged or otherwise failed when turning it on after several months of inactivity.

It appears Canon has replaced the Pro-100 with the Pro-200 version (price around $550 depending on source). Here's a link to a pretty thorough run-through of that printer you might find useful:

https://www.redrivercatalog.com/infocenter/-canon-pixma-pro-200-review-insiders-guide.html

Also, just a little off-topic I just bought the brand new Canon B&W laser printer (Lbp246DW) to replace a 14 year old HP Laserjet printer. It arrived yesterday, set it up within an hour and it was printing over my WiFi connection with no troubles.

I would strongly recommend you look into the Pro-200 while you're investigating other options. I've not used that particular model, but I'm a Canon "believer."

Tom

Sep 14, 2023 at 09:35 AM

chez
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Photo Printer to get started

I suggest you also purchase something to calibrate your monitor or you’ll continue fighting what is displayed on your screen and what is printed.

Sep 14, 2023 at 10:03 AM

Karl Witt
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Photo Printer to get started

chez wrote:
I suggest you also purchase something to calibrate your monitor or you’ll continue fighting what is displayed on your screen and what is printed.

Thanks. Is that in terms of color accuracy or exposure? I am on a new Mac display 27 5k.
Karl

Sep 14, 2023 at 10:23 AM

Karl Witt
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Photo Printer to get started

Tom In Arizona wrote:
Hi Karl...

I have had versions of the (now retired) Canon Pro-100 for many years and they have performed flawlessly. Like you, I am only an occasional printer and the Canon Pro-100 ink system has never clogged or otherwise failed when turning it on after several months of inactivity.

It appears Canon has replaced the Pro-100 with the Pro-200 version (price around $550 depending on source). Here's a link to a pretty thorough run-through of that printer you might find useful:

https://www.redrivercatalog.com/infocenter/-canon-pixma-pro-200-review-insiders-guide.html

Also, just a little off-topic I just bought the brand new Canon B&W laser printer (Lbp246DW) to replace a 14...Show more →

The info is much appreciated Tom on the Canon printer. I know it will be Epson or Canon at this point.
Karl

Sep 14, 2023 at 10:26 AM

chez
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Photo Printer to get started

Karl Witt wrote:
Thanks. Is that in terms of color accuracy or exposure? I am on a new Mac display 27 5k.
Karl

Both. In an uncalibrated system both the colours and brightness of the displayed image could easily be way different than the print.

Sep 14, 2023 at 11:01 AM

leethecam
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Photo Printer to get started

If you're having issues with prints coming back wrong, then might be your screen calibration. Is it calibrated?

But also consider your room brightness and the brightness of the screen. I recommend (and have been using successfully) the following:

Dimmed room ambience. (Stop the daylight coming in and run daylight interior lighting dimmed to a level where reading from a book is possible but feels a bit dim). Then set your monitor to 80cd/m2 brightness. Ideally you don't want strongly coloured walls but a dimmed environment helps with this anyway.

If I ever get prints done out of house I use GraphiStudio, and with my setup I get perfect prints every time, (as with my in-house print set up).

If you do get a printer, (I use an Epsom P800), then you will want to get a custom profile made for any particular paper & ink combo that you use. PermaJet offer a cheap service (free for with their papers). Then use this profile instead of the printer's profile. (Note with Macs, you need to be very careful how you set things with colour management - some research may be required).

Edited on Sep 15, 2023 at 10:24 AM · View previous versions

Sep 15, 2023 at 02:48 AM

Karl Witt
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Photo Printer to get started

leethecam wrote:
If you're having issues with prints coming back wrong, then might be your screen calibration. Is it calibrated?

But also consider your room brightness and the brightness of the screen. I recommend (and have been using successfully) the following:

Dimmed room ambience. (Stop the daylight coming in and run daylight interior lighting dimmed to a level where reading from a book is possible but feels a bit dim). Then set your monitor to 80cd/m2 brightness. Ideally you don't want strongly coloured walls but a dimmed environment helps with this anyway.

If I ever get prints done out of house I use GraphiStudio, and...Show more →

Appreciate the input here. All points made are informative and helpful to consider. Difficult choice might be picking a printer. I am using a Mac setup.
Thanks a bunch
Karl

Sep 15, 2023 at 07:29 AM

pjheller
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Photo Printer to get started

Tom In Arizona wrote:
Also, just a little off-topic I just bought the brand new Canon B&W laser printer (Lbp246DW) to replace a 14 year old HP Laserjet printer. It arrived yesterday, set it up within an hour and it was printing over my WiFi connection with no troubles.

Tom

Not to go too far off topic, but did you look at any other b&w laser printers, either from Canon or Brother. Just had a Canon (MF4570dw) die on me and am shopping for a replacement (ideally with print, scan, copy).

Sep 15, 2023 at 10:23 AM

Tom In Arizona
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Photo Printer to get started

Hi PJ...I'll send you a PM shortly.

Tom

Sep 15, 2023 at 10:34 AM

Karl Witt
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Photo Printer to get started

Update and thanks for those that offered some insight.

I am looking strongly at the Epson P900 as my first photo printer, does anyone have experience with this one and can share any input or still suggest something else as an alternative? I do want the 17" capacity for printing.
Thanks again!
Karl

Sep 20, 2023 at 06:31 AM

Mujabad123
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Photo Printer to get started

Canon Prograf1000. Exceptional true pro printer.
Highly recommended!

Oct 03, 2023 at 06:59 AM

Camperjim
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Photo Printer to get started

For many of us printing is a major part of our photography. I want to be able to produce prints that look great in my home, or as gifts, or for sale, or hanging in galleries or other exhibitions. Without printing, photography might as well just be some cellphone snaps.

That said, realize that printing is not a casual endeavor and can get expensive. You will absolutely need to calibrate your monitor, get a reasonably decent printer, and then consider some of the additional costs. You will need a selection of papers. You will need to consider how you want to display your work. You can stick the prints on a backing board and hang on the wall at home. Next would be a more professional approach in keeping with how you value your work. For me that is matting and framing. You can start slow but realize that eventually you will need mats, a mat cutter and a selection of frames or a way to make them.

If you do decide to jump in, I would agree that the Epson P900 is an excellent choice. I really enjoy having a 17" printer and most of my prints are 16x24 on 17x25 paper. The costs for a 17" printer are not much higher than for a 13" printer. Both are table top, reasonably priced, and about the same level of commitment. A 24" printer is a whole different issue with much higher costs and space requirements.

Oct 03, 2023 at 08:50 AM

Karl Witt
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Photo Printer to get started

Camperjim wrote:
For many of us printing is a major part of our photography. I want to be able to produce prints that look great in my home, or as gifts, or for sale, or hanging in galleries or other exhibitions. Without printing, photography might as well just be some cellphone snaps.

That said, realize that printing is not a casual endeavor and can get expensive. You will absolutely need to calibrate your monitor, get a reasonably decent printer, and then consider some of the additional costs. You will need a selection of papers. You will need to consider how you want...Show more →

Thank you Jim for this information, greatly appreciated. Yes it seems no matter what we start with in this hobby there are many more add ons to follow

Karl

Oct 04, 2023 at 09:07 AM

OntheRez
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Photo Printer to get started

Karl Witt wrote:
Hello to all!

Shamefully I have never printed any of images, just seems to be one of those things that has escaped me. I tried sending files to one of the recommended printers and the 5 pics I sent all came back dark as test prints. Honestly how to prepare a file that I view on the screen to send off to get printed baffles me so I would like to purchase somewhat of home Photo Printer to do my own.
Majority of prints will be 11x14 or under however a larger print could be possible at times. Suggests on brand...Show more →

I've used various Epson inkjets for probably 10 years. I both love and hate them. I do have a number of excellent, framed, and sold prints, so complaining is a bit wimpy. Print sizes ran up to 17x22. My latest one broke about 18 months ago and financial excitement has prevented replacement.

When I get around to buying a new one, it will be an Epson. Why? They print as well as any of the others and you can get non-OEM replacement for a third of Epson's pricing. Check out Cone's inks and I suspect you'll find it eye opening. Been using his inks for years. Absolutely recommend them.

Oct 04, 2023 at 11:20 AM

Karl Witt
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Photo Printer to get started

OntheRez wrote:
I've used various Epson inkjets for probably 10 years. I both love and hate them. I do have a number of excellent, framed, and sold prints, so complaining is a bit wimpy. Print sizes ran up to 17x22. My latest one broke about 18 months ago and financial excitement has prevented replacement.

When I get around to buying a new one, it will be an Epson. Why? They print as well as any of the others and you can get non-OEM replacement for a third of Epson's pricing. Check out Cone's inks and I suspect you'll find it eye opening. Been...Show more →

You had me excited but ....... per the website you linked me to:
SureColor P900
According to Epson: "This printer is designed for use with Epson cartridges only, not third-party cartridges or ink."
We are currently in development for supporting the European Region versions of this printer model. They can work with a simple chip resetter and refillable cartridges (which we do not supply).
Unfortunately, the USA Region versions of this printer have been designed by EPSON to prevent the use of non-EPSON chips and are designed to prevent the use of a chip resetter. As a result, we do not believe any 3rd party solutions may become available for the USA region printers for some considerable time until the anti-3rd party mechanism that prevents the use of 3rd party products is discovered and circumvented..

Oct 04, 2023 at 08:21 PM

grog13
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Photo Printer to get started

I've used various Epson inkjets for probably 10 years. I both love and hate them. I do have a number of excellent, framed, and sold prints, so complaining is a bit wimpy. Print sizes ran up to 17x22. My latest one broke about 18 months ago and financial excitement has prevented replacement.

When I get around to buying a new one, it will be an Epson. Why? They print as well as any of the others and you can get non-OEM replacement for a third of Epson's pricing. Check out Cone's inks and I suspect you'll find it eye opening. Been using his inks for years. Absolutely recommend them.

You had me excited but ....... per the website you linked me to:
SureColor P900
According to Epson: "This printer is designed for use with Epson cartridges only, not third-party cartridges or ink."
We are currently in development for supporting the European Region versions of this printer model. They can work with a simple chip resetter and refillable cartridges (which we do not supply).
Unfortunately, the USA Region versions of this printer have been designed by EPSON to prevent the use of non-EPSON chips and are designed to prevent the use of a chip resetter. As a result, we do not believe any 3rd party solutions may become available for the USA region printers for some considerable time until the anti-3rd party mechanism that prevents the use of 3rd party products is discovered and circumvented..

It is correct that the new Epson printers will work only with Epson cartridges, and the rise in the price of those carts the last couple years has been eye-popping. I still use a 3880, and started using the Cone inks last year (switching over as my Epson carts have run out), and while the change is seamless from an end result standpoint, I've had a couple of the Inkjet Mall chips that were faulty. The first time they replaced them without quibble, but in the most recent occurence, they tried to argue the printer was at fault - never mind that the Epson cart that had just come out of it worked fine again after shaking and reinstalling. They eventually did replace it, but if this is their new attitude, it's worrisome. At any rate, I'd second the recommendation of Epson printers based on quality of output, but you should look carefully at the ongoing ink cost - it will be higher than for others.

Oct 05, 2023 at 09:47 AM

RustyBug
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Photo Printer to get started

Last I checked with Jon ... he hadn't cracked the code for making a mono conversion inkset for the P900 refillable. Jon is approachable via email, so you might reach out to him if you are thinking about using his inks for insight in his recommendations for printer models.

Been a while, so my info may be out of date. But Jon is worth reaching out to, imo.

Oct 05, 2023 at 09:56 AM

OntheRez
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Photo Printer to get started

Karl Witt wrote:
You had me excited but ....... per the website you linked me to:
SureColor P900
According to Epson: "This printer is designed for use with Epson cartridges only, not third-party cartridges or ink."
We are currently in development for supporting the European Region versions of this printer model. They can work with a simple chip resetter and refillable cartridges (which we do not supply).
Unfortunately, the USA Region versions of this printer have been designed by EPSON to prevent the use of non-EPSON chips and are designed to prevent the use of a chip resetter. As a result, we do not believe...Show more →

Well, if you go over to Inkjetmall.com you'll find that Jon Cone has managed to defeat that illegal control of 3rd party supplies. Problem is that it's extremely difficult and expensive. If you 'Shop by Printer,' you'll find the P900 listed with price. Actually I would suggest the P7000/9000. They are excellent and IMHO better than the P900 and the adaptation is not expensive.

His system (in cohort with the 'printer gang') is to reverse engineer the control chips. With them you can use his ink. Again highly recommend. Personal rant. It is illegal in several states for manufactures to force consumers to use only their supplies. Such behavior outrages me and obviously I'm not alone.

Cone is an extraordinary photographer. His works are in museum, shows, etc. Go look at their 'about' page. You will be impressed.

Oct 05, 2023 at 10:12 AM

BokehBeauty
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Photo Printer to get started

I don't see the need for 3rd party ink for the Epson P900. I'm very surprised of how economical it uses inks, and the ink cartridges aren't expensive, around 26 Euro before VAT in Germany. Only the consumption of light-grey is higher.

Paper cost is far higher and Hahnemühle has increased prices a lot at the beginning of the year.

Oct 05, 2023 at 12:23 PM

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