Photo printers: Guys, I am planning to buy my own printer, capable of up to 13x19. I am considering the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300. Does anyone have experience with this printer, good...

dkeysser Loc: Minneapolis

Guys, I am planning to buy my own printer, capable of up to 13x19. I am considering the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300. Does anyone have experience with this printer, good or bad? Any recommendations on other choices? The PRO-1000 is probably too large, heavy and expensive. What about the Epson P900?

Thanks in advance.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

I bought the Epson ET 8550 in June 2022. So far I'm on my 4th
unit due to manufacturing defects.
First 2 had same issue and third had stray ink pooling in the unit
Prints are great but this model should be avoided

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

dkeysser wrote:

Guys, I am planning to buy my own printer, capable of up to 13x19. I am considering the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300. Does anyone have experience with this printer, good or bad? Any recommendations on other choices? The PRO-1000 is probably too large, heavy and expensive. What about the Epson P900?

Thanks in advance.

I have and use the Epson P900 a lot. Prints as well as my large format P7000. Inks cost on a par with all the other like-size printers. Quality output.

nealbralley Loc: Kansas

I had a smaller Epson ECO Tank printer, and the printer head clogged. No amount of attempts to unclog the print head were successful. I bought a Canon with the ink tanks, and so far (several years), no issues. My canon won’t print the larger images. The “tank” printers will save you a ton of money compared to the cartridge printers. Each bottle of colored ink, which will likely last you a year, perhaps more, dependent on how much printing you do, $13 a bottle, and then a comparably priced bottle of black ink. You can print for a year, a lot of printing, for about $52. You will probably pay that much for two cartridges that will empty in no time at all!

I know there are better printers, but I am a subscriber to things that are “good enough”!

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

nealbralley wrote:

I had a smaller Epson ECO Tank printer, and the pr... (show quote)

Are the ECO tank printers really sold as photo printers?

nealbralley Loc: Kansas

Perhaps not, but I have entered some prints in regional photo contests and even gotten multiple ribbons of various colors and honorable mentions. These printers do “good enough.” I use relatively inexpensive photo paper, and the results are adequate for my needs.

I don’t suggest that they are the best and greatest, but they aren’t anywhere nearly as expensive to operate.

If someone is sharing prints with family and friends, they are more than good enough. If you are operating a photo business, then no; you probably don’t want to use one.

terryMc Loc: Arizona's White Mountains

BobHartung wrote:

Are the ECO tank printers really sold as photo printers?

It depends.

The ET printers (I have the ET 8550) are definitely photo printers, but since they are 6-color dye based inks, (with one pigment black) they are not considered archival, even when using archival paper. Therefore they are not considered suitable for professional gallery prints, but for your home, this makes very nice prints. I use it with Red River Polar Matte card stock, and since cards don't need to be archival (most people won't be keeping a card for 300 years) it does an excellent job, in my opinion.

dkeysser Loc: Minneapolis

Thanks, guys, some helpful comments.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

BobHartung wrote:

Are the ECO tank printers really sold as photo printers?

They print, ET 8550, 13x19 and prints are excellent.
They have issues, I'm on my 4th, YES, 4th since June, 6 months, and after few prints I see spare ink already. Customer service said its normal and just blot it up with Q tip.they said it's because I'm printing bordless.

terryMc Loc: Arizona's White Mountains

Sidwalkastronomy wrote:

They print, ET 8550, 13x19 and prints are excellent.
They have issues, I'm on my 4th, YES, 4th since June, 6 months, and after few prints I see spare ink already. Customer service said its normal and just blot it up with Q tip.they said it's because I'm printing bordless.

I've had mine about the same time, and it's working splendidly.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

terryMc wrote:

I've had mine about the same time, and it's working splendidly.

Mine fine until I print lot of
11 x 14. Look inside and look at black pieces and look for ink. Let me know.
If you don't print 11 x 14 will be fine. Representative said its like over spray for boardless prints.
First 2 had ink smudges on corners

timpson Loc: Central PA

dkeysser wrote:

Guys, I am planning to buy my own printer, capable of up to 13x19. I am considering the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300. Does anyone have experience with this printer, good or bad? Any recommendations on other choices? The PRO-1000 is probably too large, heavy and expensive. What about the Epson P900?

Thanks in advance.

I really like my pro-300... I think you would also should you make it your choice...

colt4x5 Loc: Central Connecticut

dkeysser wrote:

Guys, I am planning to buy my own printer, capable of up to 13x19.

Thanks in advance.

I just printed a series of images on 13x19, using the Epson P700 - good results and a lot cheaper than the P900, if you don't need the added size capability.

tomc601 Loc: Gilbert, AZ

I've used a Canon Pro 100 for several years now and I'm very happy with quality of prints and overall performance of the printer. Now a discontinued model, Canon still is providing drivers for the newer operating systems. Another reason I've not updated the printer is the ability to refill the ink cartridges with less expensive inks than Canon provides. Its replacement, the Pro 200 also allows for refilling as does the Pro 300 if you want to explore an alternative ink supply. Cost of ink, which is one of the biggest issues of home printing, is a non issue for me. I use Precision Color inks.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

I am a long-time user of Canon printers, and currently have both a Pro-100 and Pro-1000. They are essentially bulletproof even after long periods of inactivity, and the print quality is outstanding.