Breaking the bank with ink
Mar 19, 2014 16:13:22 #
Can anybody recommend a printer that can print 4 by 6 and is economical on ink? Must be portable and be able to print on site.
My photosmart hp gives me about 75 pictures of 4 by 6, but goes through the whole ink, and the cartridges cost about 45.00 to replace. HELP!!!!
My photosmart hp gives me about 75 pictures of 4 by 6, but goes through the whole ink, and the cartridges cost about 45.00 to replace. HELP!!!!
Mar 19, 2014 16:30:45 #
cony25 wrote:
Can anybody recommend a printer that can print 4 by 6 and is economical on ink? Must be portable and be able to print on site.
My photosmart hp gives me about 75 pictures of 4 by 6, but goes through the whole ink, and the cartridges cost about 45.00 to replace. HELP!!!!
My photosmart hp gives me about 75 pictures of 4 by 6, but goes through the whole ink, and the cartridges cost about 45.00 to replace. HELP!!!!
I would start reading reviews - reviews that give the ink cost per page. Of course, you have to consider what's more important: low cost or high quality. Having them printed commercially might be cheaper.
You could get ink from ebay or use the Staples brand.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.H0.Xhp+photosmart+ink&_nkw=hp+photosmart+ink&_sacat=0&_from=R40
You could also use a continuous ink supply (bottles of ink connected to the printer by tubes).
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/continuous-ink-system-hp-photosmart
They make their money on the ink, not on the printers.
Mar 19, 2014 16:38:02 #
Your first problem is you have a HP. I would not have a HP given to me for a gift. I have Epsons that have separate ink cartridges for each color.
Second, there is really no way to scrimp on ink. They sell you the printer for pennies then charge you an arm and a leg for ink. They ALL do it. I spent years testing printers/ink/3d party ink and came up with this.
1. Get Epson
2. Get separate cartridge ability.
3. Find out which epson can handle the "HIGH CAPACITY" ink cartridges that some Epsons take.
4. Don't mess with 3d party ink. The quality is not there.
My R380 takes high capacity carts and, while the initial cost is high, I can print for half the year on a set.
Now, you might look at this idea. If you are going to print 50 4x6's you just took of the kids at sea world then outsource it. Costco is good. AND a lot cheaper. My printing is specialty printing of 1 or 2 that just got Photoshopped and means a lot to someone. For example, my Granddaughter just got on the school basketball team. I took 78 pics of her playing, found one that was exceptional and printed an 8x10 for her to put into a frame. The rest, they have on a CD so they can view them any time. If they want a print of 1 or 2 of them, I'll do it. The rest, my Costco has prints for 18 cents if they want to go that way.
My long-winded 2 cents.
Second, there is really no way to scrimp on ink. They sell you the printer for pennies then charge you an arm and a leg for ink. They ALL do it. I spent years testing printers/ink/3d party ink and came up with this.
1. Get Epson
2. Get separate cartridge ability.
3. Find out which epson can handle the "HIGH CAPACITY" ink cartridges that some Epsons take.
4. Don't mess with 3d party ink. The quality is not there.
My R380 takes high capacity carts and, while the initial cost is high, I can print for half the year on a set.
Now, you might look at this idea. If you are going to print 50 4x6's you just took of the kids at sea world then outsource it. Costco is good. AND a lot cheaper. My printing is specialty printing of 1 or 2 that just got Photoshopped and means a lot to someone. For example, my Granddaughter just got on the school basketball team. I took 78 pics of her playing, found one that was exceptional and printed an 8x10 for her to put into a frame. The rest, they have on a CD so they can view them any time. If they want a print of 1 or 2 of them, I'll do it. The rest, my Costco has prints for 18 cents if they want to go that way.
My long-winded 2 cents.
Mar 19, 2014 16:44:03 #
Not sure of your location because it's hidden, but if you have a Costco in your area, they print 4X6 for 13 cents each.
Mar 19, 2014 16:51:26 #
Unless you are printing on location to sell prints to parents or that sort of thing, there is no way a home printer can compete with Costco, or any other mass production lab that range in price from 15¢ to 20¢ each for a 4" X 6", and some will even refund for unusable images.
I still maintain an Epson 3800 in my home studio but rarely print anything under 8" X 10", and mostly do 17" X 22".
- Marc
I still maintain an Epson 3800 in my home studio but rarely print anything under 8" X 10", and mostly do 17" X 22".
- Marc
Mar 19, 2014 17:01:58 #
Thank you all so much, Jerry how do you work that continuos ink supply? are the quality of the pictures good? and how long would it last? Let say in 4 by 6 prints, how many would I be able to print.
Most of the reviews that I read, mentioned that the cartridges (rebuilt) leak.
Most of the reviews that I read, mentioned that the cartridges (rebuilt) leak.
Mar 19, 2014 17:02:30 #
Yes, I do have a costco, however, I need to print on site.
gsconsolvo wrote:
Not sure of your location because it's hidden, but if you have a Costco in your area, they print 4X6 for 13 cents each.
Mar 19, 2014 17:18:04 #
cony25 wrote:
Thank you all so much, Jerry how do you work that continuos ink supply? are the quality of the pictures good? and how long would it last? Let say in 4 by 6 prints, how many would I be able to print.
Most of the reviews that I read, mentioned that the cartridges (rebuilt) leak.
Most of the reviews that I read, mentioned that the cartridges (rebuilt) leak.
Although I've never had a need for this system, it uses bottles of ink containing several ounces, rather than several ml, so you have loads of ink. I would think you would get dozens and dozens of 4X6 prints.
Hopefully, someone with experience with this system will chime in.
Mar 19, 2014 17:36:57 #
Cony, for that kind of printing, what you really need is any printer with a "continuous ink system". You won't use less ink, but you will pay a very small fraction of the ink costs, and not have to replace cartridges constantly. Good luck. ;-)
SS
SS
Mar 19, 2014 22:33:47 #
Hi sharp, do you have experience with those? Would the quality of print be the same?
SharpShooter wrote:
Cony, for that kind of printing, what you really need is any printer with a "continuous ink system". You won't use less ink, but you will pay a very small fraction of the ink costs, and not have to replace cartridges constantly. Good luck. ;-)
SS
SS
Mar 19, 2014 22:42:04 #
I have a small HP photo smart A522. It; I believe will print 50 4x6's on one ink cartridge.
Mar 20, 2014 02:16:00 #
cony25 wrote:
Hi sharp, do you have experience with those? Would the quality of print be the same?
Cony, I have not personally used one, but have seen one used, and the results seem as good as any I've seen. It's probably not archival, but no smaller printer is. Several here use them, and report good results. I will PM you the name of one of the users. Good luck. ;-)
SS
Mar 20, 2014 02:24:03 #
Canon Selphy CP900. Prints 4X6 and is very small, and sell for about $80.
No ink problems with drying or spilling because it uses dye sublimation. The "ink" is a roll of film that has yellow, red and blue dyes that are transferred to the paper (glossy only) by heat.
The ink/dye packets are not too costy. It costs me about 27 cents per print. If you're on site without power, there is a battery system (Canon adapter with Wasabi battery instead of Canon), which will cost more than the printer, but worth the cost.
You can also take along a laptop, download pictures from camera to laptop for quick editing and then to printer.
You can probably tell by now, I like mine! :)
EDIT: The final step in printing lays down a clear UV protective layer, making them archival, waterproof and damn near impossible to tear. Takes about one minute per print.
No ink problems with drying or spilling because it uses dye sublimation. The "ink" is a roll of film that has yellow, red and blue dyes that are transferred to the paper (glossy only) by heat.
The ink/dye packets are not too costy. It costs me about 27 cents per print. If you're on site without power, there is a battery system (Canon adapter with Wasabi battery instead of Canon), which will cost more than the printer, but worth the cost.
You can also take along a laptop, download pictures from camera to laptop for quick editing and then to printer.
You can probably tell by now, I like mine! :)
EDIT: The final step in printing lays down a clear UV protective layer, making them archival, waterproof and damn near impossible to tear. Takes about one minute per print.
Mar 20, 2014 06:58:13 #
OddJobber wrote:
Canon Selphy
Clever name, considering the new term "selfy" that has become so common.
Mar 20, 2014 07:09:14 #
I have an Epson NX305 4 color equipped with CIS, Continuous Ink Supply. For about $30 you get 100ml of each color and refill your large tanks.
I have used this for 4 years and minor problems of plugged carts. Simply remove cart, put in a small [cream cheese ] container with a little rubbing alcohol, let stand over night and then flush outside with alcohol allow to dry. If printer does recognize cart, turn off and then after a few minutes turn on and it sees the cart. I have purchased bottles 4 times, savings of $$ about estimated at $2000.
There has been some debate on UHH about sun stability [UV] but all inks have this low cost stuff added. And how much UV do you have in your living room" Not much ! Ozone fading is what one should worry about and ... well does your furniture fade in your living room? Not much!
Do a UHH search ... cost of ink, continuous ink supply, carts ink, etc... lots of info.
As a final coat, I use a light coating of paraffin applied with one of those nappy paint pads. My paraffin is in a flat cake pan with a lid to protect it from dust and dirt.
http://www.cisinks.com/
I have used this for 4 years and minor problems of plugged carts. Simply remove cart, put in a small [cream cheese ] container with a little rubbing alcohol, let stand over night and then flush outside with alcohol allow to dry. If printer does recognize cart, turn off and then after a few minutes turn on and it sees the cart. I have purchased bottles 4 times, savings of $$ about estimated at $2000.
There has been some debate on UHH about sun stability [UV] but all inks have this low cost stuff added. And how much UV do you have in your living room" Not much ! Ozone fading is what one should worry about and ... well does your furniture fade in your living room? Not much!
Do a UHH search ... cost of ink, continuous ink supply, carts ink, etc... lots of info.
As a final coat, I use a light coating of paraffin applied with one of those nappy paint pads. My paraffin is in a flat cake pan with a lid to protect it from dust and dirt.
http://www.cisinks.com/
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