Printing your work - do you own a printer or do you send to a lab?

brofkand · 11-17-2020, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

It is interesting that my experience with the Canon Pro-10 was so bad and those with the Pro-100 have had a good experience. I debated at the time and went with the more expensive Pro-10. To be honest I really liked the output quality but it simply drank ink. It's startup cycle (when not used frequently) seemed to use 1/4 of the ink cartridges. Printing was not bad and if you ganged up your print jobs it worked well. But for occasional printing it was a complete disaster. One or two prints a month and new ink carts were needed every 3 months. At a cost of $350.
Seems like I should have gone with the Pro-100.

I think all these printers will run through a purge and self-clean cycle if not used for a certain period of time. To combat this, some users will run a small print job every few days (even printing a small 4x6 is enough to keep the ink fresh and avoid the purge cycle).

**UncleVanya** · 11-17-2020, 05:06 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

It is interesting that my experience with the Canon Pro-10 was so bad and those with the Pro-100 have had a good experience. I debated at the time and went with the more expensive Pro-10. To be honest I really liked the output quality but it simply drank ink. It's startup cycle (when not used frequently) seemed to use 1/4 of the ink cartridges. Printing was not bad and if you ganged up your print jobs it worked well. But for occasional printing it was a complete disaster. One or two prints a month and new ink carts were needed every 3 months. At a cost of $350.
Seems like I should have gone with the Pro-100.

They these folks:
Precision Colors C5B

**jatrax** · 11-17-2020, 07:00 PM

Originally posted by brofkand

some users will run a small print job every few days

Probably a very good idea.

Originally posted by UncleVanya

these folks:Precision Colors C5B

Thanks! I no longer have the Pro-10 as I sold it on when I moved. I now have a Canon G7020 which is one of the office tank printers. Only 3 color + black and not suited for fine art. It does a surprisingly good job on photocards though so I'm happy with that. I sell about 100 cards / month (well I did pre-COVID) Sales are way down now. But for something that sells for $4 you cannot afford expensive ink.

I have been using Red River paper for years and highly recommend them. They provide ICC profiles for all of their paper for a wide variety of printers.

ChristianRock · 11-20-2020, 10:19 AM

To those who send to labs... what lab do you usually use?

**Alex645** · 11-20-2020, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

To those who send to labs... what lab do you usually use?

For me, it really depends on how those prints will be used.
Family & friends? Just Costco.com
Faraway friends? Shutterfly.com
Higher quality film or digital prints? TheFindLab.com

For B&W, I am too picky and never outsource.

Sidney Porter · 11-29-2020, 08:37 AM

I use the canon 6820. I think it is one of the least expensive 13x19 printers. I received it the end of May. I 13x19 in a 18x24 frame looks pretty good on a lot of walls. I also started to cut my own mats. My plan is to rotate photos

**jumbleview** · 11-29-2020, 09:54 AM

Originally posted by Sidney Porter

I use the canon 6820. I also started to cut my own mats. My plan is to rotate photos

Are there any DIY instruction available how to cut mats and put the picture on it?

**AgentL** · 11-29-2020, 11:38 AM

Anyone sending away for unconventional media like aluminum prints? I print everything myself on my Pro-100, as I think I mentioned earlier, but I've often thought that a standout picture would look really cool as a high-quality aluminum print with a built in wall mount, I've seen some good work this way but I wouldn't know where to go to get it done well and not extremely expensive.

**Alex645** · 11-29-2020, 11:40 AM

Originally posted by jumbleview

Are there any DIY instruction available how to cut mats and put the picture on it?

YouTube is filled with videos on DIY straight and beveled mat cutting and framing. Logan makes over a dozen different mat cutters from $100-$1000 and they have instructional videos on how to use them.

**jatrax** · 11-30-2020, 11:33 AM

Originally posted by AgentL

Anyone sending away for unconventional media like aluminum prints?

Metal is in many circles no longer unconventional. I have not printed anything for sale on anything but metal in several years. It is what sells at shows. It is available from any online printer such as Bay Photo or MPIX. Costco also has metal available as well as a lot of other media. Costco pricing is excellent but the quality is not up to Bay or MPIX. But I would not hesitate to use them for personal work if you are not too picky.

**AgentL** · 11-30-2020, 01:13 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

Metal is in many circles no longer unconventional. I have not printed anything for sale on anything but metal in several years. It is what sells at shows. It is available from any online printer such as Bay Photo or MPIX. Costco also has metal available as well as a lot of other media. Costco pricing is excellent but the quality is not up to Bay or MPIX. But I would not hesitate to use them for personal work if you are not too picky.

I've definitely noticed that most of the photos sold by a guy I know who has turned his photography into a business are metal. They do look really nice. I also appreciate that it bypasses the need for framing and matting.

**jatrax** · 11-30-2020, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by AgentL

I've definitely noticed that most of the photos sold by a guy I know who has turned his photography into a business are metal.

There are a lot of advantages for metal if you do shows.

- It is a lot lighter than framed glass

- Harder to damage, while you can scratch it, reasonable caution makes metal prints less prone to damage than canvas or framed
- The look of metal is more modern and seems to appeal to younger buyers
- One objection buyers have to framed prints is well, the frame. A frame style can be as personal as the print so framing something and taking it to a show the buyer has to like both the frame and the print
- Prices on metal prints even a few years ago were significantly higher than a framed print. But as prices have dropped for metal they are much closer right now

**dms** · 12-01-2020, 02:58 PM

(About Bay Photo and/or prints on metal.)
-- I provided an image for my niece that she had printed by Bay Photo. A large bright day scene with blue sky and white clouds, on metal, and it was printed too dark IMO (She was happy with it so I did not discuss further/contact Bay Photo.)
-- I then observed one (low key/color/dusk scene) another relative (very experienced photographer) did with them, and it also was too dark (and that was also his issue).
-- On the other hand a black and white high key image (on metal) they did for him was fine.

I don't know if it is the process, or something else, and not a large data base, but that was my experience.

Sidney Porter · 12-01-2020, 03:47 PM

Originally posted by jumbleview

Are there any DIY instruction available how to cut mats and put the picture on it?

Yes, I use logan adapt a rule for the straight edge and their basic 45 and 90 degree cutter. Plus a self healing mat to cut on. I probably spent $100 on equipment. I buy uncut mat board in 30x40 inches they are $12. You get a lot of mats out of that since the cut out portion can also be used. The benefit is you are not held to standard sizes, the craft store I buy my mats from probably has 20 colors. I buy standard size frames

**hjoseph7** · 12-01-2020, 04:39 PM

I takes a lot of work especially if you want to use your own paper types. I'm not saying it can't be done, but you got to make time for printing and taking pictures. Then there is the business side. If you could find a printer that will personally work with you, that might be a better choice but then you got to pay them...

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11-17-2020, 04:33 PM	#46
brofkand Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 836 Original Poster	Originally posted by jatrax It is interesting that my experience with the Canon Pro-10 was so bad and those with the Pro-100 have had a good experience. I debated at the time and went with the more expensive Pro-10. To be honest I really liked the output quality but it simply drank ink. It's startup cycle (when not used frequently) seemed to use 1/4 of the ink cartridges. Printing was not bad and if you ganged up your print jobs it worked well. But for occasional printing it was a complete disaster. One or two prints a month and new ink carts were needed every 3 months. At a cost of $350. Seems like I should have gone with the Pro-100. I think all these printers will run through a purge and self-clean cycle if not used for a certain period of time. To combat this, some users will run a small print job every few days (even printing a small 4x6 is enough to keep the ink fresh and avoid the purge cycle).

11-17-2020, 05:06 PM	#47
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,404	Originally posted by jatrax It is interesting that my experience with the Canon Pro-10 was so bad and those with the Pro-100 have had a good experience. I debated at the time and went with the more expensive Pro-10. To be honest I really liked the output quality but it simply drank ink. It's startup cycle (when not used frequently) seemed to use 1/4 of the ink cartridges. Printing was not bad and if you ganged up your print jobs it worked well. But for occasional printing it was a complete disaster. One or two prints a month and new ink carts were needed every 3 months. At a cost of $350. Seems like I should have gone with the Pro-100. They these folks: Precision Colors C5B

11-17-2020, 07:00 PM	#48
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by brofkand some users will run a small print job every few days Probably a very good idea. Originally posted by UncleVanya these folks:Precision Colors C5B Thanks! I no longer have the Pro-10 as I sold it on when I moved. I now have a Canon G7020 which is one of the office tank printers. Only 3 color + black and not suited for fine art. It does a surprisingly good job on photocards though so I'm happy with that. I sell about 100 cards / month (well I did pre-COVID) Sales are way down now. But for something that sells for $4 you cannot afford expensive ink. I have been using Red River paper for years and highly recommend them. They provide ICC profiles for all of their paper for a wide variety of printers.

11-20-2020, 10:19 AM	#49
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	To those who send to labs... what lab do you usually use?

11-20-2020, 02:01 PM	#50
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Originally posted by ChristianRock To those who send to labs... what lab do you usually use? For me, it really depends on how those prints will be used. Family & friends? Just Costco.com Faraway friends? Shutterfly.com Higher quality film or digital prints? TheFindLab.com For B&W, I am too picky and never outsource.

11-29-2020, 08:37 AM	#51
Sidney Porter Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Columbus Ohio USA Posts: 353	I use the canon 6820. I think it is one of the least expensive 13x19 printers. I received it the end of May. I 13x19 in a 18x24 frame looks pretty good on a lot of walls. I also started to cut my own mats. My plan is to rotate photos

11-29-2020, 09:54 AM	#52
jumbleview Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 1,069	Originally posted by Sidney Porter I use the canon 6820. I also started to cut my own mats. My plan is to rotate photos Are there any DIY instruction available how to cut mats and put the picture on it?

11-29-2020, 11:38 AM	#53
AgentL Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Seattle Photos: Albums Posts: 1,756	Anyone sending away for unconventional media like aluminum prints? I print everything myself on my Pro-100, as I think I mentioned earlier, but I've often thought that a standout picture would look really cool as a high-quality aluminum print with a built in wall mount, I've seen some good work this way but I wouldn't know where to go to get it done well and not extremely expensive.

11-29-2020, 11:40 AM	#54
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Originally posted by jumbleview Are there any DIY instruction available how to cut mats and put the picture on it? YouTube is filled with videos on DIY straight and beveled mat cutting and framing. Logan makes over a dozen different mat cutters from $100-$1000 and they have instructional videos on how to use them.

11-30-2020, 11:33 AM	#55
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by AgentL Anyone sending away for unconventional media like aluminum prints? Metal is in many circles no longer unconventional. I have not printed anything for sale on anything but metal in several years. It is what sells at shows. It is available from any online printer such as Bay Photo or MPIX. Costco also has metal available as well as a lot of other media. Costco pricing is excellent but the quality is not up to Bay or MPIX. But I would not hesitate to use them for personal work if you are not too picky.

11-30-2020, 01:13 PM	#56
AgentL Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Seattle Photos: Albums Posts: 1,756	Originally posted by jatrax Metal is in many circles no longer unconventional. I have not printed anything for sale on anything but metal in several years. It is what sells at shows. It is available from any online printer such as Bay Photo or MPIX. Costco also has metal available as well as a lot of other media. Costco pricing is excellent but the quality is not up to Bay or MPIX. But I would not hesitate to use them for personal work if you are not too picky. I've definitely noticed that most of the photos sold by a guy I know who has turned his photography into a business are metal. They do look really nice. I also appreciate that it bypasses the need for framing and matting.

11-30-2020, 02:01 PM	#57
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by AgentL I've definitely noticed that most of the photos sold by a guy I know who has turned his photography into a business are metal. There are a lot of advantages for metal if you do shows. - It is a lot lighter than framed glass - Harder to damage, while you can scratch it, reasonable caution makes metal prints less prone to damage than canvas or framed - The look of metal is more modern and seems to appeal to younger buyers - One objection buyers have to framed prints is well, the frame. A frame style can be as personal as the print so framing something and taking it to a show the buyer has to like both the frame and the print - Prices on metal prints even a few years ago were significantly higher than a framed print. But as prices have dropped for metal they are much closer right now

12-01-2020, 02:58 PM	#58
dms Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New York, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,192	(About Bay Photo and/or prints on metal.) -- I provided an image for my niece that she had printed by Bay Photo. A large bright day scene with blue sky and white clouds, on metal, and it was printed too dark IMO (She was happy with it so I did not discuss further/contact Bay Photo.) -- I then observed one (low key/color/dusk scene) another relative (very experienced photographer) did with them, and it also was too dark (and that was also his issue). -- On the other hand a black and white high key image (on metal) they did for him was fine. I don't know if it is the process, or something else, and not a large data base, but that was my experience.

12-01-2020, 03:47 PM	#59
Sidney Porter Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Columbus Ohio USA Posts: 353	Originally posted by jumbleview Are there any DIY instruction available how to cut mats and put the picture on it? Yes, I use logan adapt a rule for the straight edge and their basic 45 and 90 degree cutter. Plus a self healing mat to cut on. I probably spent $100 on equipment. I buy uncut mat board in 30x40 inches they are $12. You get a lot of mats out of that since the cut out portion can also be used. The benefit is you are not held to standard sizes, the craft store I buy my mats from probably has 20 colors. I buy standard size frames

12-01-2020, 04:39 PM	#60
hjoseph7 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,047	I takes a lot of work especially if you want to use your own paper types. I'm not saying it can't be done, but you got to make time for printing and taking pictures. Then there is the business side. If you could find a printer that will personally work with you, that might be a better choice but then you got to pay them...