Professional grade photo printer
May 23, 2018 17:06:16 #
I am considering a next step into Photography by purchasing a professional grade printer.
I take photos at events and would like to add my ability to print (for a fee) photos that I take. Right now I provide a digital copy. I think I am missing opportunity by not offering prints.
I have also been asked by a local school to take photos. Probably be 200 - 250 students. Maybe orders for 100 8x10s, 100 5x8s etc.
I also do restaurant and product photos. In this regard I’m thinking if I offer large portraits maybe I can sell a print to the facility owner for the wall.
Thoughts? Printer suggestions?
I would like to keep the printer price under $2,000.
It would also be advantageous for me to be able to print via the net. If an order comes in, I’d like to be able to access the printer via the Internet, print the photo and have it waiting when I get home.
It must be very high quality. The prints must have a long life.
I take photos at events and would like to add my ability to print (for a fee) photos that I take. Right now I provide a digital copy. I think I am missing opportunity by not offering prints.
I have also been asked by a local school to take photos. Probably be 200 - 250 students. Maybe orders for 100 8x10s, 100 5x8s etc.
I also do restaurant and product photos. In this regard I’m thinking if I offer large portraits maybe I can sell a print to the facility owner for the wall.
Thoughts? Printer suggestions?
I would like to keep the printer price under $2,000.
It would also be advantageous for me to be able to print via the net. If an order comes in, I’d like to be able to access the printer via the Internet, print the photo and have it waiting when I get home.
It must be very high quality. The prints must have a long life.
May 23, 2018 17:35:04 #
May 23, 2018 17:35:42 #
ricardo7
Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile
I would look at the Epson p800. I've been using the predecessor model the 3880 for a number of years now and it's an excellent printer.
May 23, 2018 22:16:17 #
lcfarms wrote:
I am considering a next step into Photography by purchasing a professional grade printer. ... The prints must have a long life.
The first thing you must decide on is how big prints you want. A printer that prints up to 8 1/2 by 11 is much cheaper than one that prints, say, 20 by 30 (to grab a number out of the air).
For long-life prints, you should buy a printer that uses pigment inks, as opposed to dye inks.
For total cost, the cost of the printer is almost nothing compared to the cost of the ink. It's the same idea as the razor and the blades: They almost give away the razor but fleece you on the blades.
In the Canon line, I'd recommend the Canon PIXMA Pro-10. It prints up to 13 by 19, uses pigment inks, and retails at around $600 (except when there's a sale on; you can get a rebate of $250 + 50 sheets of 13 by 19 paper). Since your price ceiling was $2000, you can buy a Canon printer that prints even bigger and still stay within your budget.
I have no experience with Epson printers, as recommended by some, and so cannot make a meaningful brand comparison.
May 23, 2018 23:21:10 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
lcfarms wrote:
I am considering a next step into Photography by p... (show quote)
A good place to ask questions about printers is the Printers and Color Printing Forum.
May 24, 2018 01:09:44 #
lcfarms wrote:
I use an Epson 3880 Pro, which is in your price range, and therefore not a professional printer, but noneless I'm very happy with the prints. I too would like to own a pro printer, but I just don't have the budget to shell out thousands upon thousands of dollars. Actually many pros do use this printer for their small prints ( it prints 17" wide and 38" long), the follow-up model has roll feed, so it can print as long as the roll you put in it!I am considering a next step into Photography by p... (show quote)
May 24, 2018 03:42:24 #
In my experience, an event printer needs to be fast. I shoot several events a year and use a dye sub printer that will spit out a 4x6 in about 8 seconds. You’ll quickly get backed up with an inkjet. My DNP DS 40 may have been replaced by a newer model but here are the spec’s on it: http://www.imagingspectrum.com/dnp-ds40-dye-sub_printer-ds40.html
For large wall portraits, you are after the highest quality, and those printers aren’t built for speed. Epaon makes some great ones.
For large wall portraits, you are after the highest quality, and those printers aren’t built for speed. Epaon makes some great ones.
May 24, 2018 06:03:12 #
Bill_de wrote:
Epson P800 or P600
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As a graphic designer by trade, this is what I’d suggest as well. Contact Epson by the web and get samples. Then be prepared to purchase.
May 24, 2018 07:07:28 #
Bill_de wrote:
Epson P800 or P600
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Rebate of $350.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1140436-REG/epson_scp800se_surecolor_p800_inkjet_printer.html/?c3api=4680%2C242797853241%2Cepson+p800%2Ce&gclid=CjwKCAjwxZnYBRAVEiwANMTRX9NDi2AuwChAQMBmJJplDH4UiKcW8Iyrth8TI6MgkGLXT82d44h7pxoCkA8QAvD_BwE
May 24, 2018 07:46:40 #
I have a Canon IP6400 pro graf that I have been using for over a year now, very happy with it. It does 24'' prints using 12 ink cartridges. The ink lasts a very long time and the print quality is fantastic.
May 24, 2018 08:05:48 #
mikegreenwald
Loc: Illinois
I have and use both Canon and Epson. For a single, multipurpose, pro quality printer, I suggest the Epson P800 for reasons stated above.
May 24, 2018 08:21:11 #
Shoot, I was thinking P6000/P8000, not P600/P800...although I suspect that those would be good as well...they're just not a true large format printer.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?InitialSearch=yes&N=0&Ntt=Epson+P6000&c3api=4680%2C111338139539%2Cepson+p6000%2Ce&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1p7Cv6qe2wIVhbfACh2tUgfFEAAYASAAEgI2UvD_BwE
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?InitialSearch=yes&N=0&Ntt=Epson+P6000&c3api=4680%2C111338139539%2Cepson+p6000%2Ce&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1p7Cv6qe2wIVhbfACh2tUgfFEAAYASAAEgI2UvD_BwE
May 24, 2018 08:24:38 #
Cdouthitt wrote:
Shoot, I was thinking P6000/P8000, not P600/P800...although I suspect that those would be good as well...they're just not a true large format printer.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?InitialSearch=yes&N=0&Ntt=Epson+P6000&c3api=4680%2C111338139539%2Cepson+p6000%2Ce&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1p7Cv6qe2wIVhbfACh2tUgfFEAAYASAAEgI2UvD_BwE
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?InitialSearch=yes&N=0&Ntt=Epson+P6000&c3api=4680%2C111338139539%2Cepson+p6000%2Ce&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1p7Cv6qe2wIVhbfACh2tUgfFEAAYASAAEgI2UvD_BwE
A bit of overkill for what the OP expects to print ...
... Maybe orders for 100 8x10s, 100 5x8s etc.
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May 24, 2018 08:37:03 #
The Canon Pixma Pro-100 is a great printer, does 13x19 full bleed and is often on sale for $70-150 after rebates. I've been using mine for 3 years and never had a single blockage - I don't think Epson and many others can claim that.
The ink is dye, not pigment but independent testers like http://www.aardenburg-imaging.com/index.html have estimated lives of 50+ years (if not in direct sunlight) - good enough for me.
The ink is dye, not pigment but independent testers like http://www.aardenburg-imaging.com/index.html have estimated lives of 50+ years (if not in direct sunlight) - good enough for me.
May 24, 2018 08:40:07 #
Bill_de wrote:
A bit of overkill for what the OP expects to print ...
... Maybe orders for 100 8x10s, 100 5x8s etc.
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... Maybe orders for 100 8x10s, 100 5x8s etc.
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It'll still do sheet ;-) In addition to Rolls...The OP would need to learn to use an exacto and straightedge.
10", 13", 16", 17", 24"
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