PalePictures Loc: Traveling

Epson 3880

Raleigh Loc: Reside in Olympia WA

Over the years (I'm 82 in a few days) I have used Epson, HP and Canon. All of the comments regarding paper are correct. I am presently using a Canon Pro9000 Mark II and love it. I have also found the Canon support to be outstanding.

loveandpeace Loc: Southeast Iowa

You may want to buy a copy of Fine Art Printing for Photographers by Uwe Steinmueller and Juergen Gulbins, available at Amazon. It will tell you everything you want to know about printing and will pay for itself. It does get pretty technical at times, but it provides a wealth of information about color management, printers, inks, ICC profiles, printing software, different brands and types of papers—and which ones go with which printers & inks, etc.

Calibrating your monitor is a must for accurate printing. I use the Color Munki/Display, which is fast and easy to use.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Ruth, it's not just about paper. Get some Canon paper that is in the printer settings. I assume you are using Canon inks. Maybe put the printer through a clean cycle. If that looks bad, then call Canon and talk to them about it.
Your PP also makes a diff, for example using sRGB etc.
If you're using a Canon camera, use the DPP program to process the file and print directly from it, just to see if you have improvements, and eliminate the variables. After its right, them start to make changes.
Now, if you just want to get a new printer, that's a completely different story.
Personally, I prefer the Canon printers, as they can handle the black and matte black inks with no hassle and huge ink wastes, like the Epsons do.
Have I used an Epson? My first real printer was an Epson, a 2200 I think. It took a 12" role. At school I print with 2 different 3800's and 5 different 3880's and the Epson 24" printer. I still prefer the Canons. Good luck. ;-)
SS

jvittek Loc: Hawaii

I had an Epson 2200 for years. It made great prints but was slow. It died a few months back and I started looking. There is a deal right now, I think until the end of March, to get a substantial discount on the Canon Pixma Pro-100. Adorama and some of the other dealers have an inhouse discount that makes it even better. Printer about $400, Paper about $90. Dealer gives $90 off on the paper and the deal qualifies for $300 AmEx gift card for $300. Free shipping. I have only printed one shot so far and it was good and fast. You may have a minus feeling about Canon so read the reviews but for the price it seems hard to beat.

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Ruthlin Loc: Long Island New York

Thanks you have been very helpful. I do use a canon printer. iP4500
I have cleaned the printer and will try a number of other things. Thanks again

Ruthlin Loc: Long Island New York

Thanks your comment has been helpful. I appreciate you taking the time
To reply.

Ruthlin Loc: Long Island New York

Thanks. Good suggestion. I will buy the book you recommended. Appreciate your response.