Photo printing at home

[audi321]

I posted this in CG&S section, but I now realise it should have been on here!

Ok, call me old fashioned, but in this world of icloud, ipad, twitter, facebook, etc. I want to start actually printing photos out! Shock horror.

Question is.......what shall I buy to print them on?

Years ago, I used to have a little kodak 4x6 inch printer which had a cartridge in it, and was excellent and simple to use, I even think it put a glossy clear coat on the top of the photo to make it professional looking! Problem was, it was only 4x6 inch and although I can still find similar printers now, I cannot find one bigger than 4x6 inch (I'd prefer 7x5 as a minimum).

I see laser printers are now reasonably priced, but I've never seen the results with one. Are ink jet printers old hat these days? Is there anything else I should consider? What's the best option (I know I can go to Boots, etc, but I really want to be able to do it at home)

Thanks in advance!

[Simpo Two]

I'd have thought pretty much any colour inkjet printer would do a decent job with photo prints. Just don't skimp on ink or paper. You can make four small prints per sheet of A4, or consider an A3 printer.

However, it will be cheaper to get them done online and posted to you.

[markmullen]

For a few quick prints I use DSCL, it is easier than messing about.

If you want to do your own small prints then a dye sub printer will do what you want as you describe, you can get them in a range of sizes but they are a touch pricey. I use one for printing on site at events, which they are ideal for, and it will do 7x5s, 6x4s, all sorts.

For occasional printing your best bet is a decent inkjet photo printer, I use a Canon Pro 9000 Mk2 which is A3+ but might be overkill for you unless you want to do big prints. That said once you see your stuff printed you'll want more of it printing, there is something about a nice framed print that you just don't get with viewing on a monitor.

Once you go down this route you'll want to calibrate your monitor and workflow so that you get the results you are expecting once you start printing, the paper is expensive (I use Hahnemuhle Baryta FB350 which is around £3 a sheet, plus ink) so you don't want to get through many test prints.

Which brings me back nicely to using a lab to do it!

[GetCarter]

I too have stopped printing my own photos. Just too expensive. Photobox does next day delivery to the N.W. Highlands, and although not perfect, they are as good as my A3 photo printer (but much cheaper)

Set of inks +/- £90, and when one runs out the damn thing won't print. Silly.

Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 11th June 11:05

[tog]

I used to have a lovely A3 inkjet, but found that for running off occasional prints it was super expensive. Online printing is so fast, efficient and cheap that home printing in general cannot compete. Obviously if you want to make painstakingly crafted art prints on special papers there is a strong case for it, but for 7x5s for the family album online is the way to go. I use ProAm Imaging, who are fast, cheap and reliable, but they do require careful technical preparation of your files, which more mainstream places like Photobox don't.

[Gemm]

I also use online labs for anything I sell. They always look much better and I'm sure they will last much longer. I still print my personal stuff occasionally with my ancient Canon printer but I really don't like the results and I wouldn't dream of selling these prints.

[audi321]

Cheers guys, I might have to forget printing at home then, which is a real shame.

I've looked into what I had years ago and it was a Dye Sublimation printer which had a ribbon and printed 4 layers onto the paper. Really good quality and I've really missed it (apart from the small 6x4 size). I'd love another but from what I can see, they're all 6x4 which is just too small.

I've been disappointed with ink jet prints, I always feel as if they're missing a top sealing layer or something I can't put my finger on.

Cheers all.

[Thunderace]

I use an Epson R2880 for all my printing (mainly A3 and A4, although I do keep packs of 6x4 and 7x5 around for family happy snaps). It's been faultless and I love the quality, the only thing I'm not so keen on is the £1000+ of ink cartridges its eaten in that time.

I used to use Jessops heavyweight glossy which cost about 15p a sheet (+ ink). Following Jessops' demise I swapped over to Ilford which costs about 25p a sheet.

I like the control and flexibility of printing my own stuff.

[tog]

audi321 said:

I've looked into what I had years ago and it was a Dye Sublimation printer which had a ribbon and printed 4 layers onto the paper. Really good quality and I've really missed it (apart from the small 6x4 size). I'd love another but from what I can see, they're all 6x4 which is just too small.

You can certainly get bigger dye sub printers than 6x4, but they are expensive and designed for the professional market, especially event and other high-throughput, fast turnaround uses.

http://www.photomart.co.uk/Catalogue/Dye-sub-print...

[sgrimshaw]

Has it ever been cheaper to print images at home?

I don't think so.

Personally, I'd compare printing digital images at home today with developing and printing from film in the past.

It's another part of the photography experience.

For me there is something very satisfying about printing at home, but it certainly is more expensive than getting them done online.

[nick francis]

I have one of these: http://www.dnpphoto.com/event-photography/ds80/

In terms of inks and paper each 8 x 12 print costs 59 pence and takes just 35 seconds to print. It will print various sizes , 8 x 4,5,6,8,10 and 12. Quality is fantastic and I like the fact if the printer has not been used for a few days the prints remain consistently good from print one.

Its quite a heavy lump but very compact with the roll of paper enclosed within. Perfect tool for location printing.