Pentax User with print question

Bigdomino · 01-21-2014, 02:08 PM

I am new to Pentax. Have a K3. Great camera.

I am wondering how many of you have photo printers? Do your own large prints or send out?

What kind of printer?

Thanks.

Steve

**Lowell Goudge** · 01-21-2014, 02:14 PM

I have an HP 13x19 printer that uses the HP type 38 inks.

Not sure the value is there , likely about break even with sending out, but for sure more convenient

**grhazelton** · 01-21-2014, 02:41 PM

I have a Canon Pixma Pro 100, bought in the recent $300 rebate offer. How could I resist? I'm refilling with Precision Colors inks, which drops the cost per print considerably, but still Costco might be cheaper. I also have an Epson R 1800 with a CIS system which needs rejuvenation - clogged heads. Either of these will print up to 13 x 19. As Lowell Goudge says, sure is convenient!

aoeu · 01-21-2014, 02:48 PM

I go out. Big Box stores have $50,000 printers that are maintained every week.

**dunerunner** · 01-21-2014, 03:00 PM

I use a Canon Pixma for up to 8x10, and send out for larger prints.

photolady95 · 01-21-2014, 03:04 PM

I gave away my last large format printer and now send out my photos for prints. Ink costs are way too high and paper for such, is extremely expensive, IMO.

**dms** · 01-21-2014, 03:46 PM

If you are serious (IMO) you need to proof you prints, and then go out for larger than you can print. Because the print needs to be printed (by you) for you to make final decisions (exposure, matte or gloss, sharpening, etc., etc., etc.). It's an iterative process. No matter how good the screen and printer match!

When I need (for example) 2 ft x 3 ft I give the print shop a narrow strip test print file for each print, and when I approve the printed test strip(s) I get the large print(s). I use my college computer center, and their high end large Epson's always match my small printer [**] test print (for similar matte paper, which is what I use). Going outside to commercial printer may be different (same if they are local/work with you) but if the results aren't OK go to another print shop.
___
** I use a small Epson (Clara inks model) on which I can print up to 8.5"x44" (I never do more than 8.5"x19").

Erron · 01-21-2014, 05:31 PM

I have an Epson 9700 wide format printer. I guess this is out of most peoples needs but I found it for less than $1000 on CL and it works perfectly. I was at the point of selling enough prints it made more economical sense to just buy a machine.

Bigdomino · 01-27-2014, 02:54 PM

Thanks to all for your replies.

I will get a new printer. I like the art process of getting the image to the point to print and print it. Will send out all of my really large and canvas print needs.

Steve

**Kerrowdown** · 01-27-2014, 03:38 PM

I send out to specialist print houses when I need prints, their costs are surprisingly reasonable and I've got no print failure worries.

flyer · 01-27-2014, 06:03 PM

I have a HP Z3200 24" and an HP 8850 13 X 19.

Just remember, you don't save money doing your own printing, au contraire, but you have the convenience and the control.

**Mallee Boy** · 01-28-2014, 03:15 AM

Another Z3200 owner here, have a couple of 'em, great printers.
Your question comes down (as always) to your budget. Your run-of-the-mill inkjet will do an ok job for your own use so long as you pay attention to correctly calibrating your monitor, understanding your papers and print preparation of your image.
Once you enter the world of large format and the different papers on offer be prepared to be mesmerised and seduced by what is possible...LBA has nothing on this !!

Good luck.

Bigdomino · 01-28-2014, 11:00 AM

Mallee boy! I am looking at a Canon Pixma Pro-100. Will do 13 x 19 prints and seems to be a great printer. About 10 years ago I had an Epson 2200 printer. Did large prints and did my own mats. Was a lot of fun. You could be pretty creative with this. It seems the processional services seem to be really good too. I sent out an image for a large canvas. I thought it was great. However, you really don't get to see the print until it comes in the mail. Printed at home you can control the way it looks immediately.

I never explored alternative papers. Used same vendor papers. Maybe I should experiment with is too.

Steve

**Ahab** · 01-28-2014, 11:15 AM

I like the instant gratification having my own printer gives. I have the wide format Epson Artisan 1430 which uses Claria ink, arguably the best ink out there.

**Mallee Boy** · 01-29-2014, 01:56 PM

Originally posted by Bigdomino

Mallee boy! I am looking at a Canon Pixma Pro-100. Will do 13 x 19 prints and seems to be a great printer. About 10 years ago I had an Epson 2200 printer. Did large prints and did my own mats. Was a lot of fun. You could be pretty creative with this. It seems the processional services seem to be really good too. I sent out an image for a large canvas. I thought it was great. However, you really don't get to see the print until it comes in the mail. Printed at home you can control the way it looks immediately.

I never explored alternative papers. Used same vendor papers. Maybe I should experiment with is too.

Steve

Hi Steve,
Cant speak for the Canon, but I believe any of these top end printers will deliver the goods.
The range of "papers" is staggering. Worked late last night to finish off a 2m X 1m print for a client on a light banner material, which is better described as a fabric. Fabulous result that is headed to a trade show. Metallic paper is great, but there are many canvas' and rags which also deliver interesting and different results.
Cheers

01-21-2014, 02:08 PM	#1
Bigdomino Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wells, Maine Posts: 107	Pentax User with print question I am new to Pentax. Have a K3. Great camera. I am wondering how many of you have photo printers? Do your own large prints or send out? What kind of printer? Thanks. Steve

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01-21-2014, 02:14 PM	#2
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,887	I have an HP 13x19 printer that uses the HP type 38 inks. Not sure the value is there , likely about break even with sending out, but for sure more convenient

01-21-2014, 02:41 PM	#3
grhazelton Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jonesboro, GA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	I have a Canon Pixma Pro 100, bought in the recent $300 rebate offer. How could I resist? I'm refilling with Precision Colors inks, which drops the cost per print considerably, but still Costco might be cheaper. I also have an Epson R 1800 with a CIS system which needs rejuvenation - clogged heads. Either of these will print up to 13 x 19. As Lowell Goudge says, sure is convenient!

01-21-2014, 02:48 PM	#4
aoeu Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 496	I go out. Big Box stores have $50,000 printers that are maintained every week.

01-21-2014, 03:00 PM	#5
dunerunner Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: The Black Hills Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,108	I use a Canon Pixma for up to 8x10, and send out for larger prints.

01-21-2014, 03:04 PM	#6
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	I gave away my last large format printer and now send out my photos for prints. Ink costs are way too high and paper for such, is extremely expensive, IMO.

01-21-2014, 03:46 PM	#7
dms Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New York, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,192	If you are serious (IMO) you need to proof you prints, and then go out for larger than you can print. Because the print needs to be printed (by you) for you to make final decisions (exposure, matte or gloss, sharpening, etc., etc., etc.). It's an iterative process. No matter how good the screen and printer match! When I need (for example) 2 ft x 3 ft I give the print shop a narrow strip test print file for each print, and when I approve the printed test strip(s) I get the large print(s). I use my college computer center, and their high end large Epson's always match my small printer [] test print (for similar matte paper, which is what I use). Going outside to commercial printer may be different (same if they are local/work with you) but if the results aren't OK go to another print shop. ___ I use a small Epson (Clara inks model) on which I can print up to 8.5"x44" (I never do more than 8.5"x19").

01-21-2014, 05:31 PM	#8
Erron Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 44	I have an Epson 9700 wide format printer. I guess this is out of most peoples needs but I found it for less than $1000 on CL and it works perfectly. I was at the point of selling enough prints it made more economical sense to just buy a machine.

01-27-2014, 02:54 PM	#9
Bigdomino Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wells, Maine Posts: 107 Original Poster	Thanks to all for your replies. I will get a new printer. I like the art process of getting the image to the point to print and print it. Will send out all of my really large and canvas print needs. Steve

01-27-2014, 03:38 PM	#10
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816	I send out to specialist print houses when I need prints, their costs are surprisingly reasonable and I've got no print failure worries.

01-27-2014, 06:03 PM	#11
flyer Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ste-Anne des Plaines, Qc., Canada Posts: 2,013	I have a HP Z3200 24" and an HP 8850 13 X 19. Just remember, you don't save money doing your own printing, au contraire, but you have the convenience and the control.

01-28-2014, 03:15 AM	#12
Mallee Boy Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,904	Another Z3200 owner here, have a couple of 'em, great printers. Your question comes down (as always) to your budget. Your run-of-the-mill inkjet will do an ok job for your own use so long as you pay attention to correctly calibrating your monitor, understanding your papers and print preparation of your image. Once you enter the world of large format and the different papers on offer be prepared to be mesmerised and seduced by what is possible...LBA has nothing on this !! Good luck.

01-28-2014, 11:00 AM	#13
Bigdomino Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wells, Maine Posts: 107 Original Poster	Mallee boy! I am looking at a Canon Pixma Pro-100. Will do 13 x 19 prints and seems to be a great printer. About 10 years ago I had an Epson 2200 printer. Did large prints and did my own mats. Was a lot of fun. You could be pretty creative with this. It seems the processional services seem to be really good too. I sent out an image for a large canvas. I thought it was great. However, you really don't get to see the print until it comes in the mail. Printed at home you can control the way it looks immediately. I never explored alternative papers. Used same vendor papers. Maybe I should experiment with is too. Steve

01-28-2014, 11:15 AM	#14
Ahab Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arnold, Md. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 762	I like the instant gratification having my own printer gives. I have the wide format Epson Artisan 1430 which uses Claria ink, arguably the best ink out there.

01-29-2014, 01:56 PM	#15
Mallee Boy Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,904	Originally posted by Bigdomino Mallee boy! I am looking at a Canon Pixma Pro-100. Will do 13 x 19 prints and seems to be a great printer. About 10 years ago I had an Epson 2200 printer. Did large prints and did my own mats. Was a lot of fun. You could be pretty creative with this. It seems the processional services seem to be really good too. I sent out an image for a large canvas. I thought it was great. However, you really don't get to see the print until it comes in the mail. Printed at home you can control the way it looks immediately. I never explored alternative papers. Used same vendor papers. Maybe I should experiment with is too. Steve Hi Steve, Cant speak for the Canon, but I believe any of these top end printers will deliver the goods. The range of "papers" is staggering. Worked late last night to finish off a 2m X 1m print for a client on a light banner material, which is better described as a fabric. Fabulous result that is headed to a trade show. Metallic paper is great, but there are many canvas' and rags which also deliver interesting and different results. Cheers