Printer Questions

[maggiebean]

Hi everyone I'm looking at getting a new printer but am in need of help, hopefully you all will help me.

Here is what I want to accomplish with my printer

1. print quality digital layouts..good enough to frame.

2. print papers/elements for hybrid scrapping. Also need to know what papers to use for this purpose.

3. print digital stamps that I can color in and use things like mineral spirits without them bleeding. This happens with my inkjet printer but I'm not using the photo cartridge and perhaps this is the problem.

So I've looked today at Neb Furniture Mart and these are a couple different printers we looked at (dh and I).

HP Color Laserjet CP1518ni

Samsung CLP315

Samsung CLX31757N

The above are all Laser I think

Epson SP1400 Wide Format

Epson Artisan 800

Those are injet.

My question is with a LaserJet will I get the same photo print quality and will the digi stamps not bleed if I use a blending medium?

If anyone has answers or other suggestions I would appreciate any advice given. While waiting I'll be munching on popcorn :popcorn: Please don't make me wait to long as the sale will be over at the mart soon and I might get a tummy ache from all that popcorn.

TIA

[Kathleen]

Looks like you have really been doing your homework!

I can't help with a lot of your questions, but I will share my overall experience. We have a Canon i9900 and we can get pretty good prints at home. But, when I started wanting to print my scrap pages (12x12), I quickly realized that the cost of ink and paper was a lot. I did a comparison with prints from the Costco photo lab, and much prefer the quality of print, and I don't think I can beat the price at home. So where as I like the ability to be able to print the odd photo now and again at home, overall I let the professionals do the printing.

We also have a Brother color laser HL-4040, which as a general workhorse printer I am very pleased with. I have tried a variety of papers, and different printer settings, and although I can get nice sharp color prints, they are not nearly as vivid as an inkjet printer. I don't see any bleed, but I also haven't tried mineral spirits.

Good luck in your search!

[maggiebean]

Kathleen-

Thank you for the quick response. We are looking at moving to a rural, really rural location which is why I would like a good printer. Costco is awesome unfortunately that will be hours and hours away from me.

I do appreciate your honesty about the cost it can be a bear.

Also, last night I was looking at your comparrision on ppi and plan on doing a couple test pages. You might just save me some precious hard drive space.

thanks again

[Kathleen]

Happy to help, sorry I couldn't offer more advice on printers. Maybe someone else will pop in with what they have and like/don't like.

[cats4jan]

I have the Epson R1900 - the latest version of their wide format photo printer.

My layouts are beautiful - deep color - rich detail. I shipped copies off to two different digi-scrappers and they concur that the prints are fantastic.

This printer uses the latest ink formula and includes an orange cartridge for truer flesh tones. Prints are guaranteed to last a really long time, but you'll have to check the manufacturer for specifics.

It has a gloss optimizer that is used for gloss and semi-gloss paper - and I think that's the secret of the great finish.

I use semi-gloss for my layouts - gloss for photos. I tried a side-by-side comparison of a 4x6 section of my LO using both gloss and semi-gloss and I can't really decide which is best, but I had already started my album with semi-gloss so I'm going to continue using semi-gloss right now.

For greeting cards, I use double sided matte coated cardstock. For printing embellishments to use on hybrid projects, I would stick to matte coated cardstock. I tried making a hybrid greeting card with semi-gloss and I didn't like the way the card turned out.

I print my LO's in 8x8 since I had started my album in 8x8 - so I can't contest to how 12x12 looks, but I can only guess they will be wonderful.

The older version - the Epson R1800 uses the same ink that my R800 uses and the LO's were excellent from my R800 (regular format), however, I heard that in the R1800 (wide format) you had to swap black cartridges to go from b/w to color. I don't care to ever swap cartridges, so I wouldn't have purchased that older model printer even if I had gotten a good price.

Last time I heard, Epson was selling the R1900 for $449 after rebate with free s/h.

I highly recommend the R1900.

I have seen photos printed with Lasers and I don't like the look, but that's my personal preference.

[Meryl]

Catsjan - your Epson R1900 sounds fantastic :)

I have never done much home printing so can't be much help - reason is that like Kathleen I find professional printing (not that we have Costco!!!) much better price, and way less hassle.

Good luck with your search!

[Barbara Greene]

I have the Epson Stylus Photo 1400. I think it may be an older model than the 1800 or 1900 but I amvery happy with it. The ink is expensive but I order it online from Epson and if you order 3 cartridges at a time the shipping is fast and free. My prints are very good but I haven't ordered any anywhere else nor have I had a wide format printer before this one. I've only been digiscrappin for a little over a year. I print mine on Matte presentation paper 13 x 19 and print 12 x 12. They turn out great.

[Limequilla]

I have the HP color laser jet. Maybe not that exact number, mine is CP1312
I do not recommend it. I would probably not get a color laser printer again...I'm not sure. When I bought it, I had no intention of printing photos or scrapbooks, but I believe if I had known I might do this, I would have gotten a printer especially for photos.

If you want me to print some stuff and mail it to you , I will be happy to. If you want it on special paper, though, you'll have to send me the paper because I just use copy paper for everyday printing and cotton rag for books. Neither is good for photos, but text is beautiful. It's just very shiny - like a magazine page -- and hard to read if the light isn't right because of the glare.

Be aware that HP allows a certain number of printed copies per cartridge and it is sooo annoying when you know you can get 50 more printed sheets from a cartridge, but are forced to buy a new cartridge because they say it's empty. On ink jets, I could MAYBE see the rationale, but not on laser powder that doesn't dry up. I was so mad when it happened here that I was ready to chuck this thing over the fence.

Good luck, and if you want copies, let me know. I'm not actually sure what a stamp is and I can't imagine what mineral spirits has to do with any of it, but if you have the copies there, then maybe you can do some testing.

[cats4jan]

The upside to some of the newer printers is the multi-cartridge concept. I have 8 cartridges in my printer - which means when one color is out - that's the only color I replace. And, I, too, buy my cartridges from Epson - free overnight s/h on three. Prices are competitive with stores. Buying 3 at a time is not a hassle. When one runs out, I look to see which next two are low and I buy the three. That way I always have ink on hand and never accidentally run out.

When you compare price for printing at home and price for printing at Costco, there will be no contest. Printing at Costco is cheaper. However, I use Epson paper - which is higher quality and I have done comparisons with my old R800 and Walgreens, Target, and WalMart and my printer beat them - hands down. But really, the stores came in a close enough second for most people.

For me, printing at home is all about control. I want to see my prints immediately - I want to redo immediately. Cost is secondary to me.

[Barbara Greene]

I agree, I like to be able to print when I want to.. When I got my printer I was having an issue with my old Epson printer. I can see that having more colors is better but I bought mine over a year ago and got a discount as a repeat customer. I like the quality of Epson. I buy my paper at Staples (there brand). It would be nice if companies offered a sample pack so you could test different papers.

[debilou]

And, just to add one more thought..

While you say you live in a rural area... Costso and most print shops will take your print orders via email and deliver via mail fairly quickly...

So, if that's an issue... don't email and mail - the results are great.

I live about 45 minutes from the closest Costco - too far to drive a few pages.. but use them.

Many use Artscow or others to print.

I print, however most of mine "regular" scrap pages on my HP wide print 9800 on Epson Presentation paper double sided matte. And, no the quality is not quite the same as costco.. but I PERSONALLY GET MY INK FOR FREE... not many can say that.

[cats4jan]

It would be nice if companies offered a sample pack so you could test different papers.



Epson has a sample paper pack.

Red River paper has a sample paper pack. My BIL swears by Red River - I've seen their quality and it is fine - and I'm guessing service is good or he wouldn't be using them.

but I PERSONALLY GET MY INK FOR FREE

Where can I sign on for that free ink??? You lucky girl.

[debilou]

Red River Papers are Awesome... try their sample pack.. Scott Kelby who is president of the NAPP (national association of photoshop professionals) - talks about them all the time...

I personally use Epson...

Where do you sign up for free ink...

You move in 2 doors down and befriend the HP sales representative who gets free samples... and you invite him and his wife to all of your parties...

And, teach him every single thing he wants to learn in photoshop.. no matter how long it takes... But, sadly his supply is dwindling for my type of ink... Maybe a another group of cartridges and I'll be on my own... we'll see...

And, I also, got 4 x 6 HP premium photo glossy (with tab) photo paper by the stack - like a foot a time...

Now that wasn't great for printing out Scrap layouts.. but for printing photos for the kids and my parents.. wonderful...

So, I'll still get the 4 x 6 paper.. but I think my cartridge days are sadly running out.. YIKES pay for INK!!

[cats4jan]

You move in 2 doors down and befriend the HP sales representative who gets free samples... and you invite him and his wife to all of your parties...


And just where can I find a friendly Epson Neighbor? :think:

[debilou]

Wow, - OK, go to Best Buy or FRY's (they only hang out in huge volume sales stores - and no Costco or Sam's) and ask to speak to their EPSON DISTRICT Representative. If they aren't there then ask when they will be back...

Then meet them, get their home phone number, invite them to your parties.. move in next door to them... .. what ever...:rofl::rofl::rofl:

[cats4jan]

Then meet them, get their home phone number, invite them to your parties.. move in next door to them... .. what ever...

hmmmmmmmmmm - sounds like a plan :think:

[debilou]

Or a STALKER! hehe

[maggiebean]

I have the HP color laser jet. Maybe not that exact number, mine is CP1312
I do not recommend it. I would probably not get a color laser printer again...I'm not sure. When I bought it, I had no intention of printing photos or scrapbooks, but I believe if I had known I might do this, I would have gotten a printer especially for photos.

If you want me to print some stuff and mail it to you , I will be happy to. If you want it on special paper, though, you'll have to send me the paper because I just use copy paper for everyday printing and cotton rag for books. Neither is good for photos, but text is beautiful. It's just very shiny - like a magazine page -- and hard to read if the light isn't right because of the glare.

Be aware that HP allows a certain number of printed copies per cartridge and it is sooo annoying when you know you can get 50 more printed sheets from a cartridge, but are forced to buy a new cartridge because they say it's empty. On ink jets, I could MAYBE see the rationale, but not on laser powder that doesn't dry up. I was so mad when it happened here that I was ready to chuck this thing over the fence.

Good luck, and if you want copies, let me know. I'm not actually sure what a stamp is and I can't imagine what mineral spirits has to do with any of it, but if you have the copies there, then maybe you can do some testing.

Thank you for the information and generous offer, I may just take you up on it.

Like you I would probably feel the same way about prints per cartridge. That is something I will definitely have to consider.

On the digital stamp and mineral spirit- What I would like to do is print out an image and color it in with either prisma color pencils, chalks or copics (perhaps at times all three lol) then blend the colors with mineral spirits to give a painted look. Seriously, if I were smart I'd probably just use paint on my computer or some other program.

Thanks again, like I said I may be contacting you here in a bit. :)

[maggiebean]

You guys are cracking me up over the free ink and stalking of HP reps.

[stevlena]

What's a better value, an inkjet printer or a laser printer? What's really the difference? Any recommendation for a good printer is appreciated. It needs to be color, and it's not for graphic design or anything too special where it has to be all that. I just want it to print over 8 ppm, preferrably 20+ ppm.

[debilou]

Generally for home printing an Inkjet printer is a much better value - they are cheaper to buy and the replacement ink is less expensive as well.

Laser printers produce much better images - but generally are more expensive.

The difference is in the WAY that they print an image...

I won't go into the technical differences...

If you want that answer - you can go to google or to Wikipedia....

Also, price them...

I usually start at places like

www.cnet.com

they have Audio to tell you about products
customer reviews
and, technical specifications

or

www.costco.com