copy machines vs inkjet printers
May 15, 2018 10:19:44 #
I am forced to use a multi purpose color photocopy machine (Savin C2004) at work for "professional" photos. I can never get color or photo quality results, even with the best paper. Its like any Photoshop work is just an exercise in futility. Frustrated since I do not know if it a setting thing or device that will never meet the needs no matter how much I try. Where can I go for support and knowledge?
May 15, 2018 10:48:07 #
Ron Dial
Loc: Cuenca, Ecuador
You can try the Photography Dept at the closest Art College and see if they can advise you about profiling the printer.
May 15, 2018 11:25:34 #
I doubt a multipurpose copy/printer will ever do as well as a dedicated photo printer. You might make a print on a good photo printer and compare it with the same image printed on the multipurpose to show whoever is in charge at your work.
May 15, 2018 11:45:44 #
makurow wrote:
I am forced to use a multi purpose color photocopy machine (Savin C2004) at work for "professional" photos. I can never get color or photo quality results, even with the best paper. Its like any Photoshop work is just an exercise in futility. Frustrated since I do not know if it a setting thing or device that will never meet the needs no matter how much I try. Where can I go for support and knowledge?
Your printer is a laser printer and laser printer is not good enough for photo.
May 15, 2018 11:51:37 #
BebuLamar wrote:
Your printer is a laser printer and laser printer is not good enough for photo.
Agreed. It is an office printer, and may do decent office color work, but not a photo grade printer.
May 15, 2018 12:12:09 #
makurow wrote:
I am forced to use a multi purpose color photocopy machine (Savin C2004) at work for "professional" photos. I can never get color or photo quality results, even with the best paper. Its like any Photoshop work is just an exercise in futility. Frustrated since I do not know if it a setting thing or device that will never meet the needs no matter how much I try. Where can I go for support and knowledge?
Ajny multipurpose color photocopy machine will not give you quality results like a dedicated photo realistic ink-jet printer. And, Photoshop is not an exercise in frustration if you take the time to get to know the software and stop fighting it.
May 16, 2018 07:16:38 #
I agree that your probably referring to a laser printer at the office, one that uses toner rather than ink or dye. Laser printers are great for office type work, but an inkjet or dye sublimation printer will produce far better photographic prints. The number of colors they can reproduce is greater than a laser printer and they produce a far better print finish with the use of proper paper. Good luck and good shooting to all.
May 16, 2018 07:23:26 #
makurow wrote:
I am forced to use a multi purpose color photocopy machine (Savin C2004) at work for "professional" photos. I can never get color or photo quality results, even with the best paper. Its like any Photoshop work is just an exercise in futility. Frustrated since I do not know if it a setting thing or device that will never meet the needs no matter how much I try. Where can I go for support and knowledge?
As others have said, you're stuck with the results you're getting. If these are photos for your job, and if they want better quality, then they will have to get a new printer. If you are sneaking your own photos in to print at work, I wouldn't complain to management.
May 16, 2018 08:47:21 #
makurow wrote:
I am forced to use a multi purpose color photocopy machine (Savin C2004) at work for "professional" photos. I can never get color or photo quality results, even with the best paper. Its like any Photoshop work is just an exercise in futility. Frustrated since I do not know if it a setting thing or device that will never meet the needs no matter how much I try. Where can I go for support and knowledge?
Send your work to Costco - cheap, good quality, and they will give you a printer profile you can use to soft-proof your stuff before you send it out. You will never get professional results from a laser printer. If you are a pro, you can pass along the cost to your clients anyway.
May 16, 2018 10:08:37 #
I love Photoshop since CS3, I have learned to wonderful things in it. Its the sub par output device that frustrates me.
May 16, 2018 10:16:41 #
makurow wrote:
I love Photoshop since CS3, I have learned to wonderful things in it. Its the sub par output device that frustrates me.
As you have already seen, laser printers are incapable of decent photographic output - this is due to the fundamental way in which they work (essentially melting little shards of plastic to the substrate paper). No matter what you do in Photoshop or anything else, this kind of printer will not generate good results. If you don't want to buy a printer of your own then using local shops or outside places like Bay or MPIX etc. is your best bet.
May 16, 2018 10:37:13 #
makurow wrote:
I love Photoshop since CS3, I have learned to wonderful things in it. Its the sub par output device that frustrates me.
You have already gotten advice about getting your company to buy a better printer, buying a better printer yourself, or using outside printing companies. What else can anyone tell you?
May 16, 2018 11:04:15 #
makurow wrote:
I am forced to use a multi purpose color photocopy machine (Savin C2004) at work for "professional" photos. I can never get color or photo quality results, even with the best paper. Its like any Photoshop work is just an exercise in futility. Frustrated since I do not know if it a setting thing or device that will never meet the needs no matter how much I try. Where can I go for support and knowledge?
I can only respond to the "device" portion, not being anywhere near to a whiz at Photoshop. Your Savin office printer will *never* be good enough to print a professional quality print, whether you use the finest or cheapest paper - or photo editing software. As has been suggested, use a quality print operation such as Costco to get better - much better - photo quality prints.
Better yet, since you seem to know PS to some degree, spend a hundred bucks or so (after rebate) and get the Canon Pro-100 by May 31. Even better, add a decent profiling device for about another hundred. For under $200 or thereabouts, you have invested in a setup that will give you a great return after you make about 20 or 30 8x10s and 11x14s. Its the old "give a man a fish ... teach him how to fish ..." adage.
May 16, 2018 17:31:42 #
I have the Epson 2550 Ink tank printer. Prints great color prints up to 8.5 x 14 REALLY CHEAP.
Sure the initial purchase price is high, but you can get 4 bottles of genuine ink for 60 bucks.
I print my own holiday cards every year, about 700 of them. I save hundreds in ink using this printer.
No laser printer will make prints look really good, in my opinion. (I also have a Canon 9500 for larger prints)
Sure the initial purchase price is high, but you can get 4 bottles of genuine ink for 60 bucks.
I print my own holiday cards every year, about 700 of them. I save hundreds in ink using this printer.
No laser printer will make prints look really good, in my opinion. (I also have a Canon 9500 for larger prints)
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