Printer for photos and docs

glowgirl_2

I need a printer for printing photos on glossy paper and for printing out text documents, I do a quite a bit of both, I have read through some of the threads on here and am now even more confused:o

The printer needs to be

Inkjet
Wireless (preferable but not essential)
Cheap on ink
Around £50 - flexible

So far Kodak would appear to be the best bet but I'm confused with models, does anyone have any suggestions?

InsideInsurance

Any inkjet can print onto ink jet photo paper.

I personally like Epson but their photo printers are not cheap on ink at all, they take 6 cartridges and a full set is circa £40 for originals but you can get "compatibles" for £5. The results are very good though - I use a PX720WD as I wanted an all in one and the prices were slashed when the PX730 was released. There are cheaper models but most arent "photo" printers and so have the standard 4 cartridge arrangement and not the 6 that all the Epson photo printers use (other than the top of the range one that has a 7th cartridge )

Kodak claim to be cheap on ink but my concern would be that their 3 colours come from a single cartridge and so if you run out of yellow you have to throw away whats left of your magenta and cyan too.

Canon tend to get good reviews from many but not personally used them. Not a fan of HP or Lexmark

glowgirl_2

Thats a good point wasting coloured ink, I've never had a printer with different cartridges for colours, how much was your Epson? I don't want a HP or a Lexmark, been there done that for both of them.

eta - just re-read your post, do you mean that I don't have to have a specific photo printer to print photos? I have a HP photosmart (that doesn't work) now and the quality is fine for what I need, if I didn't need a photo specific printer I'm thinking that would save me quite a bit of money, I found your printer after a quick google, its around £85 give or take so a bit out of my price range:)

InsideInsurance

I paid about £95 for it, Pixmania have it for £84 or dixons at £85 plus cashback via Quidco

There are cheaper Epsons to run than their "Photo" range but there is a significant difference in the vibrancy of the photos between the two

gonzo127

i do not wish this to come across as harsh however, good luck on your search,

i say this because the general rule is the cheaper the printer the more expensive the ink, as in all reality some companies will make a lose on the actual printer knowning that they can make more money on the ink

as for printers for printing photos canon are usually very good, but as above the cheaper printers are more expensive on inks, for example my old canon printer cost me £150 yet a complete set of inks would cost me ~£25 unfortunatly my darling step daughter broke it and i had !!!!!! all money to buy a new printer so had to get a cheapy (stayed with canon) and although the printer only cost me ~£30 a complete set of inks now costs me ~£40

glowgirl_2

I understand your point I've just found a Canon Pixma MP495 for £34.99 (half price) in Argos http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9284872.htm I have a £10 voucher to use too, I just checked on Tesco and although its the mixed colour cartridges a full set of replacement ink (tesco brand would be about £30) its not that much more for the original ink replacements - any comments?

neilwoods

Get the same printer from amazon for £27.49. Plus a full set of original inks for about £24.00 so £51 for printer and full set of inks.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-PIXMA-MP280-Colour-Printer/dp/B00400OK02/ref=pd_bxgy__text_c

What size of pics will it be printing, photos are are always a killer for ink.

glowgirl_2

neilwoods wrote: »

Get the same printer from amazon for £27.49. Plus a full set of original inks for about £24.00 so £51 for printer and full set of inks.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-PIXMA-MP280-Colour-Printer/dp/B00400OK02/ref=pd_bxgy__text_c

What size of pics will it be printing, photos are are always a killer for ink.

Mainly A4 size, sometimes smaller, I'm an artist so subject matter varies, have you got the printer? if so what do you think?

neilwoods

I don't no. I go for epson each time and always use original ink for them as well. Depending on how the photo's are displayed after printing, the ink within most compatible's tend to fade fast (1 year or so).

Are these pics actual photographs or artwork you create within photoshop or illustrator

glowgirl_2

neilwoods wrote: »

I don't no. I go for epson each time and always use original ink for them as well. Depending on how the photo's are displayed after printing, the ink within most compatible's tend to fade fast (1 year or so).

Are these pics actual photographs or artwork you create within photoshop or illustrator

Its both, thats interesting about the ink fading I didnt know that, I'm having a rethink now and really I think the best option would be to get a printer with individual colour cartridges even if the initial cost is more, I've never had a printer like that before so some advice would be appreciated:) I do like the one InsideInsurance mentioned:)

santer_2

According to this, the Canon MG5250 is at best buy for £50 which is a good deal on a £150 RRP Printer

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3588013