Inkjet Printers

redline

redline

redline

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Hi guys... I'm looking for some advice/info of inkjet printers. For the past ten years or so I've only used Epson because of their Durabright inks... as I print artwork and very short run exhibition books I needed the lightfast, waterproof inks.

The problem is the printers never seem to last long and if they do the cost of inks for older machines becomes crazy. My current machine now spatters a fine mist of ink over my prints, and unless I run at absolute max quality settings the results are horrible.

So is there another printer that can offer the lightfast/waterproof inks like Epson, but perhaps deliver better durability and costs... and not cost a fortune in the first place?
 
I've found to be honest using a proper photo labs like Loxley is actually cheaper than buying ink all the time :)

However, this does not answer your question (but it is food for thought) - I've never liked Epson printers, whilst they deliver good quality their ink is really expensive I've found. Plus I know of an R1900 Epson printer only 18 months old which just nuked itself last week :p

Generally, Canon make fantastic printers and their ink is reasonable :) - Do you have a budget at all?
 
Phate said:
I've found to be honest using a proper photo labs like Loxley is actually cheaper than buying ink all the time :)

However, this does not answer your question (but it is food for thought) - I've never liked Epson printers, whilst they deliver good quality their ink is really expensive I've found. Plus I know of an R1900 Epson printer only 18 months old which just nuked itself last week :p

Generally, Canon make fantastic printers and their ink is reasonable :) - Do you have a budget at all?
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Thank you for the reply...

For longer run print jobs or high quality giclee prints I do go to the professionals [and it saves a fortune], but I also need to be able to produce stuff at home, as and when I need it... but it still has to meet certain standards of durability and quality. Do Canon offer inks that don't fade and are waterproof?

I think I've gone through five printers in less than ten years, and they start to go bad very quickly...

I don't have a big budget... maybe £130 tops.
 
No bigger than A4?

As for the inks being waterproof I can't comment you'll have to do some digging, their ink lasts years though.
 
The Canon Pixma iP4950 should do you down to the ground if the ink meets your requirement.
 
Okay great thanks... The Canon Pixma iP4950 gets great reviews, and the price is good.

I wonder if there are sealant sprays, similar to art fixatives, that would work to at least waterproofed prints, though it may prove fiddly.

I'll look into it.

Cheers.

Oh and yeah, no bigger than A4.
 
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Phate said:
Cool, out of interest how comes your waterproof your prints?
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Its more for booklets I do to accompany exhibitions I do as a painter... and for inserts for music CD's I make. I've found unless waterproofed handling will smudge the inks.

Its also useful for posters, as they stand being put outside on message boards and posts without the ink running.
 
Cool stuff :)

Let me know if you get that printer and what you think of the quality, I've always been tempted by it myself, despite me hardly doing any printing and use mainly labs :p
 
Phate said:
Cool stuff :)

Let me know if you get that printer and what you think of the quality, I've always been tempted by it myself, despite me hardly doing any printing and use mainly labs :p
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I recieved my new Canon iP4950 today and I am delighted with it. The printing results are very good indeed, and noticeably better (on good paper) than my previous Epson D88.

One of my main concerns was the durability of the inks, but doing some searching revealed Canon 'Chromalife100' inks are dye based, like the Epson 'Durabright' inks and therefore should be stable and more water resistant than standard pigmented types.

My only gripe so far is the amount of faffing about the printer does before you can use it... what the hell is it doing?

Anyway, thank you Phate for your recommendation... for just over sixty quid, its a truly great piece of kit.

:)
 
redline said:
I recieved my new Canon iP4950 today and I am delighted with it. The printing results are very good indeed, and noticeably better (on good paper) than my previous Epson D88.

One of my main concerns was the durability of the inks, but doing some searching revealed Canon 'Chromalife100' inks are dye based, like the Epson 'Durabright' inks and therefore should be stable and more water resistant than standard pigmented types.

My only gripe so far is the amount of faffing about the printer does before you can use it... what the hell is it doing?

Anyway, thank you Phate for your recommendation... for just over sixty quid, its a truly great piece of kit.

:)
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No problems, I've been umming and ahhring about this printer for a while, thanks for being the guinea pig :p

And when you first turn it on its just configuring/aligning it's heads and running self checks. Not a bad thing all in all :)
 
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