Advice on a photo quality printer?

Kayalana99

Hiya Guys,

Currently got a £40 cannon printer from Currys but my business requires me to be able to print photo quality... I've printed off a couple photos but they are really bad, my Dad said photo paper works wonders so I've got some glossy photo paper coming in post to try but I'm skeptical this will make a big enough difference due to how much I paid for my printer originally.

Has anyone got any they would recommend? I would prefer to be able to print off normal and photos but I suppose my cannon printer does work quite well for what I need it for in other areas so I could potentially just get a 2nd printer just for photos with photo paper(if needed)?

The other thing is I need to keep running costs low really...I'd be fine buying an expensive printer but if the ink is to much/keeps needing to replaced alot...etc

Sorry for rambling.

kwikbreaks

Photo paper will produce a huge improvement over normal ink jet or copier paper. Even the stuff they sell in pound shops is reasonable.

closed

why does an ebay business selling things require photo quality printing on photo paper - usually a black and white laser printed sales invoice suffices

Kayalana99

Thanks, got my photo paper and it really does work wonders just incase anyone searchs for the same thing - def worth while.

Closed - I think your post is really random, considering I never even said it was an Ebay business on this post but no I won't be sending my customers photo papered invoices...obvouisly I need it for other parts of my business.

WTFH

Kayalana, as well as good paper, stick to the manufacturers ink for the photos too. Yes, others will tell you that the cheap refillable cartridges are just as good, and that is true for text, but if you're wanting photo quality and colour stability, the cheap stuff is not as good.

Thomasgx1

whats your budget?

yangptangkipperbang

1. Good quality photo paper "makes" a good quality photograph ! (Advertising plug coming up !) One of the best papers around is the stuff that Lidl stock - but only on occasions. It is "United Office" brand - I use nothing else.
2. If you do more than just the occasional colour print I would strongly suggest that you look at a continuous ink system.
I use this one: ('nother plug !) http://www.cityinkexpress.co.uk/
The first one I fitted still had ink left in it when the printer died of old age :rotfl::rotfl:

I have compared colours between this ink and Canon's - there is no discernable difference between them.

WTFH

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

I have compared colours between this ink and Canon's - there is no discernable difference between them.

Compared with canon photo ink or canon normal ink, and after how many years of the print being exposed to normal lighting conditions?

yangptangkipperbang

WTFH wrote: »

Compared with canon photo ink or canon normal ink, and after how many years of the print being exposed to normal lighting conditions?

Funny you should ask that ! I did some prints of identical photographs with the "cheap" ink and Canon ink and left them:

a: in a sheltered position idoors
b. in the conservatory to get max sunlight
c. in an envelope in a desk drawer.

After about 4 months I compared them. The indoor ones had not faded visibly; those in the conservatory had both faded VERY badly.

Photographs have always faded in bright light, be they ink jet or older chemical process. They should be stored in an album, or if on display, in the shade.

There are several other advantages to using CISS. When a conventional cartridge tells you that it is empty - it lies. PC World (US) and several photo journals ran tests on "empty" cartridges and found that few were anywhere near empty - the average one was still 40% full.
Using CISS means that the cost of ink can be ignored - therefore you will use the printer more. This means that the ink never dries in the print heads. So no cleaning cycles to run after finding "stripey" prints - reduces paper costs.
The CISS supplier I use offers both dye and pigment based inks. I use the "cheap" dye ink - as I have already said, I can see no difference between that and Canon ink except a HUGE price difference !

My first CISS cost me about the same as 2 B&W and 2 colour Canon cartridges. The ink in it lasted almost 15 months - a refill (all 4 colours) then cost just over £20.

I will NEVER buy another printer unless it will take a CISS.

WTFH

Again, let me ask, was it Canon normal colour ink, or Canon photo colour ink? There's a difference.