drizztguen77 Loc: Tualatin, OR

Just wondering what people think about whether it is more beneficial to buy your own printer or whether to utilize one of the professional printing companies for your photos, taking both cost and quality into consideration? I know to buy a good printer is not too expensive but from past experience the cost of the printer isn't where they get you but in the cost of the ink cartridges. It's pretty cheap to have them printed at most the pro printing companies nowadays. By the time you buy the printer and constantly buy new ink cartridges, I'm just wondering if there is any benefit to going that route.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Please drop-by the UHH section Printers and Color Printing Forum at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-120-1.html This topic has been discussed on UHH several times, especially by photographers who have never owned or used a high-quality printer. The Printer Forum has several printer owners who can provide valid comparison between self printing and commercial printing.

drizztguen77 Loc: Tualatin, OR

Oh sorry, I looked for one but didn't realize I needed to click the All Sections link at the bottom. Thanks for letting me know.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

It really depends what you need. My wife and I frequently work from home, but need to print things. General use is a Brother Laser that does double sided quite nicely. Color? Canon PIXMA pro 9000 mk II. Fine on paper when we need paper color. For photographs up to 13" by 19" with the right media it is excellent. It's worth every drop of ink!

A.J.R. Loc: Devon, UK

As with film I have always printed my own prints, and feel it's the only way to get what I want. I have the Epson R3000 and very pleased with it.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Referring to your title, I prefer a printer.

For something really good, I would go with a pro - much more cost effective.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I mainly print my own but will use a printing service if I need something special

Billy Bob

I been buying Epson and Canon for years, buy refill inks on ebay. Also photo paper for every day printing. But real nice prints Red River paper is the best for me. I have not had print make of house in 10 years the file days. I can print up to 13 x 19 but at a cost $1.25 a 8.5 x 11 is 10 cent or less. I use 8.5 x 11 and cut other sizes out up to 8 x 10. Why I get 150 sheets gloss 60 ld for $22. on ebay.
What I use now is Canon iX6820 (prints up to 13 x 19) cost less then $200., refill ink $18. on ebay for 30 refills. I get over a 1000 8 x 10 prints with these refills. You might think this is all bull it ain't try it and be glad you did.
www.snapshots2010.com www.bbnpb.com www.noveltyPHOTObooth.com www.snapNprint.com and 5 more

Billy Bob

See what smugmug.com did for me on my web site for #40. a year. O using www helps to.

VietVet Loc: Brooklyn, NY

I generally prefer printing my own at home up to 13 x19. I use print labs for anything larger or if I want it mounted on a board such as Sintra. For that you can't beet a lab.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

To a great degree, I think it is a question of personal choice and timing. Do you want/need the print "right now" or are you willing to send or deliver the digital copy to the printer, wait for the print to come back, and then decide whether you are happy with it, and if not then start over again.

With the prices of good photo printers having come down considerably over the past few years, I think the cost of the printer is almost immaterial. We frequently see them advertised with refunds and enough "goodies" so that they net in the $100 range. I'd suggest that price is probably one of the less expensive toys we have to complement our hobby/avocation. Admittedly, those prices are most often on models that will shortly be replaced with a newer version, but it is only printer. Do you need all the latest and greatest features? Most of us don't use half the features on our DSLR's which cost way more than the printer.

Ink and paper--not an issue unless you get lazy and don't order as they run low and have to order a lot of stuff at one time. If we can afford the other gizmo's for the hobby, occasional +/- $15 ink cartridges shouldn't break the bank.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

For every day printing up to 13X19 I print at home using a Canon Pixma Pro 100, great printer for a great price. For specialty work I farm it out but for me that's rare. I can print on just about every type of paper stock including metal on my home printer. The only time I go outside is for really large prints.

The Canon Pixma pro can be purchased for as little as $129.00 after rebate from B&H right now. Really can't go wrong.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=canon+pixma+pro-100&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ps&typedValue=canon+pixma+pro+100

Leitz Loc: Solms

Those who think for themselves do what they feel is best for them, others copy what others do.

IowaGuy Loc: Iowa

I do my own printing. Although I have a carefully calibrated 4K monitor and top of the line Epson printer with custom icc profiles, I find that a print taped to the wall with good lighting viewed over several days always leads to some changes in post processing. As I don't have deadlines, unless there is a competition upcoming, I can rework an image as long as I need and then get immediate feedback with the print.

But each to his/her own. There is a learning curve to be able to do good printing. If you're not interested in getting on the steep slope or would print only on a rare occasion, then go with a good commercial printer - then use that service on a regular basis.

valentinophoto

It all depends on the type and quality of the prints you want. For large quantities of 4"x6" prints, it is hard to beat the convenience and price of the drugstore or discount stores. Most of them use inkjet printers today although I think Walgreen may still print on wet processed photo paper. However, for larger prints of perfect quality I find it better to print them myself. I have two Epson Photo 1400 printers that print up to 13"x19". I print many 11"x17", some for exhibition and some for sale. I am fussy about the quality and the 6 separate dye ink tanks, including a terrific "light magenta", give great color and very pleasing skin tones. Epson discontinued the printer but wedding photographers just loved it. I believe it is now back as the Photo 1450. I buy quality bulk inks and refillable cartridges. Hewlett Packard also made some photo quality printers and all-in-one units that used 6 separate ink cartridges. You can often find used printers and supplies at low cost on eBay.