Can someone recommend a quality photo printer?

[Soupermom]

I have a Canon SureShot and usually just go to Wal-Mart or Walgreens to print my photos from my disk. I'm interested in purchasing a printer for home, specifically for photos. 4x6 is really the only size I need, not 8 x 10 or anything like that. Can someone recommend a good printer to me? Do these really print high-quality pictures? I notice when my mom prints on her regular HP printer (with photo paper), that the photos look kind of streaked or irridescent. They seem to be sticky after a while, too. Is it possible to buy matte finish paper for the photo printers; that would be my choice. Still, printing glossy at home is better than hanging out at my Wal-Mart. (BLEH! )

Thanks for any help you can give!

 

[fiffy]

Well there isn't any.
Sure there are some that will look good when they are first printed but all inkjet prints will fade over time. Alot faster then actual photographs will. Also, it costs ALOT more per photo when printing at home as well. Going to a store which prints on light sensative paper which is then developed threw chemistry is the only way to go. Cheaper, better quality, longer lasting.

 

[Dznefreek]

Is it possible to buy matte finish paper for the photo printers;

Yes you can I use Kodak matte paper.

but all inkjet prints will fade over time. Alot faster then actual photographs will.

Not true. A lot of photo paper and ink is rated in the 75-100 year range now.

 

[ndelaware]

I just bought a Canon PIXMA iP6600 last November and I am really pleased with the results. The pictures are really impressive. I use glossy paper and there is no trace of stickiness or streaks. I got it at Amazon for $180.

 

[MICKEY88]

I have an HP photo printer , it does a greta job, I have learned that buying cheap paper results in sticky prints, I now buy ony Kodak or HP paper and buy the highest quality I can find, prints dry quickly and look better

 

[Tuffcookie]

I have the Canon Pixma iP5000 and love it!

TC

 

[safetymom]

I would suggest looking at the Epson Picture Mate Deluxe. Cost per print can be as low as 22 cents. www.epson.com

They are archival images that will last over 100 years. That is much longer than traditionally printed images. www.wilhelm-research.com is a great place to learn about how long images will last.

The images are water resistant and smudge proof. I love my 2 Picture Mates.

 

[dturner]

speaking of photo paper to print on - I've used almost everything out there - I really like Kodak Ultima or Premium until I tried Office Depot Professional Paper - WOW, I was really surprised at the GREAT quality of this paper.

 

[fiffy]

Not true. A lot of photo paper and ink is rated in the 75-100 year range now.

Yes, they CLAIM that they last 75-100 years. I've also seen those same papers fade away in 6 months to a year. Sure if you spray coat them and put them under UV protective glass (yeah that little thing they don't mention about the rateing) they will last longer but your already paying more per picture that way then just haveing them printed in a store and now your talking about a drasticly larger cost with the spray coat and UV glass. So sure, you COULD do that but why would you?

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

Yes, they CLAIM that they last 75-100 years. I've also seen those same papers fade away in 6 months to a year. Sure if you spray coat them and put them under UV protective glass (yeah that little thing they don't mention about the rateing) they will last longer but your already paying more per picture that way then just haveing them printed in a store and now your talking about a drasticly larger cost with the spray coat and UV glass. So sure, you COULD do that but why would you?

The time to fade is dependant on several factors the most important being ink type, paper type and where you will be displaying the print. With a good dye based ink on archival paper and the print displayed under UV sensitive glass an inkjet print will outlast a film print. If you use plain paper, knock-off brand ink and display without glass in a room getting direct sunlight you will start to see color shift within a few weeks whether you print or a lab prints for you. There is no way to generalize display length. I've seen film prints last much shorter times than inkjet prints if chemical washes are dirty or not the right temperature during processing. It's all a matter of how diligent you are in having the right materials when printing (either yourself or you labs). Price is not the only issue. It comes down to control. I've used several labs and been disappointed that their equipment is not calibrated correctly giving inaccurate color. When I print I have control to adjust the color space to my preferences. I've been very happy with the results of the Epson printers and have been especially impressed with the new R1800 that not only prints paper but will print on pre-labeled CDs. They have a good selection of ink types allowing you to choose the level of sophistication and archival price points.

Jeff

 

[safetymom]

The Epson printers I am referring to use pigmented inks. Pigmented inks have a very long archival life. I also have Epson dye based prints that have lasted many years without fading.

I have done nothing special to them and haven't sprayed them with anything.

 

[FergieTCat]

I have an Epson Picturemate and love it! The prints are amazing, and you can't tell them from a "real photo". Mine only prints in 4x6 size, but it's fine for me.

Donna

 

[Soupermom]

Thanks for all of the info thus far! I'll be passing it along to my DH...my birthday is coming up right before our surprise trip. Hopefully I'll have a printer ready when we get home!

 

[Tiger926]

Sorry fiffy, but your info is incorrect regarding photo lab prints and at home prints. As some of the posters said, most inkjets when used with OEM paper and inks are rated higher than wet chemistry prints from photo labs such as Costco or Walmart. The new Epson R1800 is archival when used with Epson papers and inks - check out www.wilhelm-research.com for great info regarding Hp and Epson printers (you will find Lexmark as well, but they aren't rated well at all, and you won't find Canon as they don't participate in the longetivity research).

Basically, photo lab prints from Walmart, Costco, etc. printed on Fuji Crystal Archive paper and Fuji Frontier printers are rated about 40 years, whereas Kodak paper is rated much less than that. These numbers are totally unacceptable to me since I scrapbook (Creative Memories consultant) and want my photos and albums to last generations; therefore, I pay the extra money to print them at home myself - print when I want, how I want, and I am confident that the photos will last since I only use OEM papers and inks - this is the key. You can use cheaper papers and inks, but then you will most definitely change the archival nature of the photographs and you might as well just take them to a photo lab then.

Good luck with your printer shopping, Tiger

 

[Soupermom]

What is OEM paper?

 

[Greg K.]

...have you checked out using Shutterfly?

I've ordered sets, individual prints, and "photo books" from them, and they're terrific. They do creative things with borders, too.

www.shutterfly.com

Of course, I know nothing beats the convenience of having a print shop right on your desk ... but cartridges and paper can get pricey, and I've found that I tend to run out of that stuff at very inconvenient times...

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

What is OEM paper?

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer

This is paper created by or licensed and sold under the name of the printer manufacturer such as Epson paper for Epson printers or HP paper for HP printers, etc.

Jeff

 

[Soupermom]

Thanks AZJazzyJ! That makes sense. We looked at several Epson's at Office Max last night. The Photomate was $200! Then came home and went to the Epson website to find 2 Photomates and one other photo printer (prints big 8 x 10s, too), for under $200. Couldn't believe it! Hoping to call Epson later to find out the difference between these 3. Decisions, decisions...
FYI...you can order matte paper from Epson, for anyone who's interested. Prices comparable to Office Max

Thanks everyone!

 

[Soupermom]

Some Epson printers have pigmented inks, some have dye-based. Is one better than the o ther?

 

[Soupermom]

Bumping...can someone help with my ink question?