gerdog

I have seen that problem with glossy photos in old albums with clear plastic sleeves, so it is probably sound advice.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

try both both as a test.I have an HP inkjet and it makes a mess out of glossy paper. Granted it is a cheap printer, but still, depending on what model of printer you have, it may do well with both types of paper.
Me, if I want to print good stuff and presentable, I send it to Cosco.

d_sokoll

I put my pictures on a USB drive and head for Walgreens and print them there. Any size from passport to poster size. I found that if you spray your pictures with a UV protectrant and let it dry, it will prevent your pictures from sticking to the glass. I have framed thousands of pictures with no sticking problem.

Kuzano

I live two miles from Fred Meyer (central oregon) They have a Canon Printer that cost about $10,000. It used 14 cartridges that cost a bit over $100 each. They keep three sets of cartridges on hand (Thats a bit over $4000 in inventory). Yesterday I paid 22.99 for a 24X36 inch print. I can't begin to print that quality at that price. No printers in my house except for a $100 black laserprinter for documents. No color printing here.

Even on 4X6 prints, I can't print for a lesser price than I pay at Freddie's. I even have some quality control, because I know the fellows there who run the printers.

I spend as much money on my camera's and lenses as I am willing to justify. Paying for my printing at home with wasted paper and ink and the quality I can get from cheap printers... anything up to $500, makes absolutely no sense to me. I spent my time learning how to use the profiles the printer uses. I believe no budget color printer can do the camera's and lenses I own any justice compared to what I am doing. Then, the drying out of ink print heads, clogging them, and having one color of ink run out on a Sunday night for a Monday project. (yes I do often forget to immediately keep replacement cartridges in the desk!)

Just like scanning, which I also don't do with cheap equipment. On my film work, if an image is good enough to scan, I get a drum scan for best quality.

Let the pros do the scanning and the printing. They do it for much less money and with much less effort on my part. I'm free to shoot for longer periods also.

Sorry, can't help you with your concerns, so why don't I just STFU!!... Ok, bye!

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

Kuzano,
you nailed it right on the head, nice explanation.
The Cosco I go to is 18 miles away, the 8x10 prints are $1.79 each.
Of course they can print any size, metal prints, etc, very very cost effective.
Many Pro photographers use their services. I am not selling them but just stating the fact this is the best option I have that I know of in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area.

They use the big Fuji chemical printing system, you cannot find anyone, including professional shops, who can provide better prints.
Canon inkjet printers seem to be the favorites and no doubt they print excellent photos, but for the simple cost and quality, I send it out. I get them the same day too.
I just send them online or you can take it in with a USB drive and they will pull them from there. I have had the opportunity to use high end expensive commercial laser jet printers and they cannot even come close.
Ink jets which give photo quality print outs do cost a bit more and the ink costs too.
Believe me, i have looked at them for next printer and decided i do not need the extra cost as long as Cosco is around..
Since we do not know what model of printer he has, it is very hard to answer his question, that is why I said just try both types of paper, but depending on what he wants to do the prints ?????
well ???????????
good luck, let us know how it goes.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

For color prints that will be mounted in a photo album, I prefer glossy.

For prints that are likely to be handled a lot, I use semi-gloss/luster.

For prints that will be framed under glass, I prefer matte.

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

Keith, You are doing the best thing by asking UH members for their opinion. Just remember, they are opinions. When I began printing my own images, about 300 years ago, my first print was of two of the same image. One on glossy paper and one on semi-gloss. Let them set for an hour or two, then put them in a position (framed?) so that you could look at them side by side so that you could form your own opinion of what you likes most. Your eyes, and your perception is what it is all about.

Printer? Yes, some time soon you should treat yourself to a dedicated image printer, probably one that has a gazillion different ink cartridges. Seriously 8 colors, plus or minus will give you stellar results. I won't tell you my preference, but let you pick your choice. May I recommend you announce your choice here before purchasing. So many of us have had 'unique' experiences with different brands, and sharing those experiences just might save you from future frustrations, especially in the Customer Support department.

Rickyb

Very, very good reasoning. Those HP printers as not for thick foto paper. They jam and ruin the product.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

excellent replies guys;
Yes, HP's are not known to be the better choice for inkjet photo printing.
However, they are the industry standard, or used to be, for laser jet printing in the business world. Laser jet color printers do a great job on regular paper printing documents even color documents.
Foto is another beast, as the previous reply stated, and he is right too, 8 color minimum if possible.
There have been countless reviews and comments on printing here on this site.
Use a dedicated foto printer for just that and cheap laser jet for regular stuff like B&W everyday stuff.
have fun with your search.
b

NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

When you do begin your search for a new printer, here's a suggestion. Put three or four of your pictures on a thumb drive and take it with you. All of the "test" prints for the printers are optimized to look great, so they don't really tell you much about how your pictures will look. Tell the salesperson you want to print your own test, and then plug your thumb drive into the printer and do your own test. Then you can see which of the printers you are interested in actually does the best job for you. The last time I did this the highest "rated" one did the worst job.

gerdog

The lifespan of prints from a store will likely be much greater than from a home printer. I haven't had any problems with paper thickness with my cheap HP all in one though. HP does warn you to feed just one thick sheet in at a time for special papers. I have used thick card stock for brochures and business cards with no jamming at all.

aphelps Loc: Central Ohio

It ultimately depands on personal taste. However, some papers perform better on certain subject matter than others. Red River paper has a guide for the use of each paper type. I personally use a satin luster paper for flower shots, for example, but that's me. I suggest you get an assortment pack and see which you like.

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

Always matted to much glare with glossy

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

this is best answer yet, right to the point, way to go fellow Texan.
b

Bill_de Loc: US

I switched to luster when I was still in a wet darkroom. After going digital I tried many types of paper before finding my way back to luster.

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