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http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/hyperrealist-art

Sorry DruidH you've lost me.

It was a genuine request for printer recommendations from STWers who like to print their pics.

Ian

canon 9500mkII, i found the epsons clog if you don't use them often (which i don't).
canon do a replacement inkhead for £80 which also swayed my choice, if you do the volume i would look at the inkflow systems as they are more cost effective.
if prints are for display then an archival inkset is essential to avoid fading.
for small prints those selphy things are good.

Epson were the first people I could find to have paler colours in addition to the usual, which meant no speckling in pale skies and faces. However as MrSmith reported it clogged like a bugger if I didn't use it for a few weeks. I'm glad he said that actually, cos I thought maybe it was me.

I now use a HP multi job, purely because it's a well built useful all-round unit. There's so little to choose between the top makes in terms of print quality I reckon that you may as well choose on other practical criteria.

Having said that I don't like HP driver software. Oh, and I may have a nice HP photosmart D6160 in the loft doing nothing. Slightly better IQ than the multi unit I have now but we don't have room for two. Best thing about it (and other HP printers) is that the paper comes in and out of the front, so you can put it on a shelf back up against the wall.

I have a Canon IP6700D which is alright, Cartridges very cheap from Amazon which makes a massive difference. You need decent photo paper too.

To be honest though, I rarely use it for photographs, much cheaper to send them off to an online print shop.

I use the interweb. Its magic, they take some of your virtual money from this piece of plastic someone gave me and then the postman delivers some lovely prints through the door 2 days later.

I use DSCL for A3 and larger orders and snapmad for single A4 prints because they have free post over £2.

I've not found a printer yet that gives satisfactory results at a decent price - get them done online

I use a Canon iP3600 which gives reasonable prints and was used when customers didn't want to wait a couple of days for lab prints. Then again I didn't go over the prints with a magnifying glass and neither didmy customers.
Depending on what you're doing, you're probably better off sticking with a decent lab.

Costco for me. They have £1000's of kit, its used every day and kept calibrated and uses ink systems far better than any (mine?) inkjet.

Also have a Canon MP560 for doing kids homework and non important stuff.

+1 for online - commercial printers and proper papers for pence

Best thing about it (and other HP printers) is that the paper comes in and out of the front, so you can put it on a shelf back up against the wall.

For me thats the worst thing about HP and why I had to buy a Canon iP printer in addition to my HP, partly for the separate inks on the canon but because the HP can't handle thick papers. With paper loading from the front it has to go round such a tight curve to come out again that thicker stock, like glossy photo paper, transparencies and adhesive backed papers gets jammed or skewed. For photo printing you want the paper to run through in as straight a line as possible.

I've kept the HP for low quality bulk printing duties like film scripts as it in draft setting it spits out paper at a stupendous rate. At that speed the print head seems to find the resonant frequency of the table its sitting on and the whole piece of furniture starts dancing.

+1 for Costco although anything bigger than 10x8 can sometimes appear a bit flat. For big stuff I use Loxley Colour bit more expensive but brilliant quality.

www.photobox.com

+1 for Loxley. If our wedding album is anything to go by, their service and quality is absolutely top notch.

Thanks everyone. Given the small amount that I want to print I'll probably try the online recommendations.

Ian

I had an Epson 895 that printed really good quality prints. It went pop a while back, anyone know it's current equivalent model?