greenwork Loc: Southwest Florida

Welcome to the next phase of photo madness!
I have been very happy with the Canon Pro 10 using Precision Color inks. Check out Red River papers, they have a wide selection of quality paper and pricing that will not take your breath away. However IMHO you'll do fine with Canon Paper. Remember, 13 x 19 may seem small but when matted and framed it makes an impressive and usable statement.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Ex-digital lab manager here...

If you embark on a journey to print your own museum quality prints, it will not be inexpensive. Step back and take a look at the bigger picture... Here are some "must have" ingredients:

> Raw capture workflow or really accurate JPEG pre-processing at the camera (i.e.; setting the menus precisely for conditions)

> A decent monitor made for photography — preferably one with 98%+ coverage of the Adobe RGB (1998) ICC color space

> An appropriate monitor calibration and profiling kit from X-Rite or Datacolor

> Printer appropriate for photographic use (minimum six colors)

> Papers chosen to taste for your images (and third party ICC profiles if using third party papers)

> An understanding of a color-managed workflow (white balance and exposure > raw file conversion to images > post-processing software > appropriate monitor calibration aims > avoiding double profiling > downloading and installing and enabling ICC profiles for third party papers (if used) > print viewing under a controlled environment...

> Tools, supplies, and skills for mounting and framing prints (or a good relationship with a custom frame shop)

If you understand the need for those sorts of things, or you are willing to learn and acquire the skills and gear, doing it yourself is the best way. Otherwise, look for a good high-end service bureau specializing in "giclee" or inkjet prints. Professional color labs are an option, but silver halide papers are usually less desirable than well-produced inkjet prints. (They don't last as long as inkjet prints, and the color gamut is smaller.)

My personal preference for printers at the high end of the market is Epson's SureColor P series. They have printers in that class from the P400 ($600) to the P600 ($800) to the P800 ($1300). Much larger models are available to print up to 44" wide. The larger the printer, the larger the ink cartridge, which lowers the cost of ink per square foot of paper (after you buy the machine!).

At the hobbyist level, the Canon Pro 100 is an excellent choice for the money, and if you download and use the Canon software (Print Studio Pro), it will help you get better prints, sooner.

Canon's pigment ink printers are also good options, but much pricier. The Pro 10 is a $700 pigment printer for up to 13x19. The Pro 1000 is $1300 and has a 17x22" maximum print size.

Dye inks from Canon and Epson can last as long as 100 years or so. Pigment inks can last up to 200 years or more in dark storage (pigment-based cave paintings from 30,000 years ago are still viewable).

Let each print "outgas" under a sheet of BLANK newsprint for 24-48 hours after printing. Then spray it with UV protectant, or frame it under glass. If you let the solvents in the ink evaporate thoroughly, UV protectant sprays will bond better, and the ink will leave less of a film on the underside of the glass.

As for paper recommendations, check out Red River, Moab, Harmon Galerie, and Hahnemule, in addition to Canon and Epson. Dealers and manufacturers sell sample packs.

isthataone

THE PRINTS MY CANON PRO 100 MAKE ARE GORGEOUS.... HOWEVER, I HAVE TO PRINT OUT AT LEAST 4 SMALL TRIAL PRINTS TO GET A PRINT THAT GETS CLOSE TO WHAT I SEE ON THE SCREEN.

THAT GETS REALLY EXPENSIVE! AND TIME CONSUMING.

SO FAR I HAVE BEEN USING CANON INKS. I WILL PROBABLY TRY PRECISION COLORS EVENTUALLY.

SO FAR, MY FINAL PRODUCT IS SO MUCH MORE SATISFYING THAN TRYING TO USE ANY LOCAL PRINT SHOPS, AND I CAN'T AFFORD THE REALLY HIGH END OUTFITS.

OF COURSE, I AM NOT REALLY TECHNICALLY SAVY, I KEEP TRYING TO GET BETTER, SO IT CAN GET CHEAPER.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I use the Pro-100 and really like it. I've learned my lesson on inks and now only use Canon inks.

One thing I did notice was that the prints seemed to fade a bit and would show fade lines where something got laid on top of the print. I frequently print off a few at a time and lay them aside before mounting them. When I went back to them, I could see fade marks and that forced me to reprint. I finally discovered in some fine print that the Pro-100 prints should be laid out for a full 24 hours before mounting. They should be fully covered with some paper (like unprinted newsprint) during that 24 hours. I never have that trouble with prints I get done at a lab.

dick ranez

Check your local craigslist for a "new in the box" pro 100 for about $100-150. That particular printer is often a "special deal" with rebates when you buy a new camera and comes with a complete set of inks and often a package of 13x19 paper. If you're going to be printing more than for just your current competition, consider the newer Pro 1000 which will print to 17x22. You're looking at $1000-1200 purchase price and a move into a 12 color ink system (at about $60 a color for replacement ink) but it does wonderful prints and has a very intricate print management system that comes with it. Wonderful 16X20 prints but you'll need a heavy table as it's big and heavy (70+ pounds?). Next step up is the Pro 2000 which is a 24" wide, usually stand mounted printer. Uses same software as the 1000 and can use roll paper. Epson makes competing models but in my experience they don't hold up as well - your mileage may vary. If you need larger than 13x19 for this one event, it's cheaper and easier to have a service do it.

Joe 88

The pro100 is a great printer but the big thing is the paper you use. I use RED RIVER PAPER you can not right with it. You need you prints to stand out try 66lb. pearl metallic that's all you will use for prints for sale.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

You are telling them exactly what I am thinking. For a first museum exhibit they are going about it the hard way. Trying to go from zero to printing exhibition quality prints themselves. Learning to and setting up to print their own is fine. But for this first time they should get the printing done by a good lab. Then they don't have a deadline for learning and producing those prints. They can print their own in the future.

I saved this post as a Word document, it is a great primer on printing. I already do some of this, but other things you mentioned I hadn't even thought about. Thanks

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

If you use Canon's Print Studio Pro app it has provision for a "pattern print" a page of thumbnails. Each is marked with the deviation from your settings. View with a magnifier, pick the best one, change printer settings and print the full size one.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

I have heard that the Pro 100 does a very good job. However, printing for a museum show should be done with a better printer. I have used the Pro 10 for a number of years and really like it. Recently at a workshop, the leader told us he had just moved to a Pro-1000 after many years of using Epson. He indicated that it is a great printer. Also it can print 17" x 22" prints.

Good luck with your choice and have a very successful show.

qualtalk

Thanks for the comments - I should clarify that the "museum" in question is a small historical museum that features primarily the work of local artists. Even beginner-level output will likely be above average for this particular venue. :)

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Ah so! Entirely different kettle of fish.
But you are still doing this the hard way (35 year teacher speaking). Costco, Sam's, Walmart can do a very good job* and give you time to gather gear/toys and learn for the future.

*About half the members of the Senior Citizen's Center photo club used those three for the things they brought to show off at the meetings.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Slight correction on the Canon Pro1000 - with the latest firmware it will print a maximum of 17x25 inches. That was important to me, as it allows me to make 16x24 prints of which several are on my walls.

Joe 88

At B an H Photo Epson EcoTank ET-2720 All-In-One Inkjet Printer (Black) best deal for little guy. Epson is the best then Cannon.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The X-Rite and Datacolor sites are worth a look. There is much to be seen there. It also helps to work with an inkjet technology distributor for printers, paper, and ink. Lexjet is one. There are many others.

In the lab I worked for, we had three Epson 44" printers and a 17" printer. One was dedicated to Epson canvas, and the others ran different widths of Epson luster surface (Kodak 'E' - like) roll paper (44" on one; usually 36" or 24" on the other). The 17" was a panorama printer, usually for 30" by 10" pans.

These were our best printers. They were so good, we had to "dumb them down" so output matched the Noritsu mini-labs we used for most of our volume! We used the Noritsu printer profiles as "simulation" or "proofing" profiles when printing to the Epsons.

They're great machines, but you have to keep them busy and avoid third party inks. We ruined the heads in one of them with third party ink recommended to us by our supplier. He paid the repair bill.

Larger size Epson photo paper is delicate. If you crease it, you're done. Make another print. We devised a special way of moving large prints from the printer's U-shaped basket to the work table where we let them breathe under newsprint. We wore white nylon gloves and whisked the paper over to the table in a fluid, upward motion. It took two people for prints larger than 24" x 24".

rebride

You might want to check out Aardenburg Imaging and Archives.
If I am reading the chart right Precision Colors does not do well.
Red River UltraPro Satin does not either.
The Pro 100 with OEM ink and pro luster not bad at all.

https://www.aardenburg-imaging.com/light-fade-test-results/
see page 7