Printer suggestions for X-mas

[tnom]

Just got a X-mas list. A photo printer was listed.
I've been out of the loop as far as what brands
and models are the best bang for the buck.

Any suggestions on a $100 or less printer that:

1. Seems to be trouble free
2. Has decent photo quality
3. Has a decent price on ink cartridges
4. Is not to slow with text print jobs

* It does not have to have memory slots for photos

 

[measekite]

FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE (LOOK FOR SALES AND REBATES THE CANON IP5200
(REPLACED THE CANON ip4000 PRICE POINT WOULD BE YOUR BEST BET.

IF YOU REALLY CANNOT AFFORD THAT THEN THE IP4200 (REPLACED THE IP3000
PRICE POINT) BUT IMPROVED UPON THE IP4000 CAN BE HAD FOR THAT OR LESS.

BE SURE TO USE OEM INKS SO YOU DO NOT GET A CLOGGED PRINTHEAD.

I HAVE AN IP4000 THAT PRODUCES EXCELLANT RESULTS AND HAVE NOT EVEN USED
A CLEANING CYCLE IN OVER A YEAR. OF COURSE I ONLY USE CANON INK.

ONLY IF YOU ARE A VERY HEAVY USER SHOULD YOU TAKE THE RISK OF ANYTHING
OTHER THAN GENUINE INK AND IF THAT IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT JOB TO KNOW
EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE GETTING.

 

[friesian]

ONLY IF YOU ARE A VERY HEAVY USER SHOULD YOU TAKE THE RISK OF ANYTHING
OTHER THAN GENUINE INK AND IF THAT IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT JOB TO KNOW
EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE GETTING.

I guess I qualify as a heavy user as a single project can have me
printing 600 color pages in one day (100 catalogs made up of 3
doublesided pages). Usually done on two printers to save time.

I just got a 4rd canon printer. I have been using 3 of them, all with
the same cartridges so that I can switch them out as needed.

Frankly, the only reason I became a heavy user was because of the
ability to refill the ink. Only when I discovered how much I could save
(5 cents a sheet vs 99 cents at Kinkos), I realized I could really
promote my business and increase sales. I have a photography business,
and with this system, I can afford to do mailers (catalogs, postcards,
greeting cards, etc). I take flyers and catalogs with me to shows. And
I send out proof sheets that are cheap to print out.

I may have been lucky to find a good ink source. I do not buy the kinds
in the stores. I buy it from a website called
www.printerfillingstation.com.

They sell a kit that has the right tools and includes directions for
your printer. And you order the ink based on your type of printer. I
have ordered from them 3 times in the past 3 years. About to order
again as myblack is almost out. I haven't had any problems with any of
the printheads. The individual tanks do eventually clog, but only about
once a year for the colors and twice a year for the black. One order of
ink that costs me $60-70 replaces hundreds of dollars in ink. I stopped
counting refills after I passed $500 in comparable ink costs and still
had almost half of my ink left.

The only time I buy Canon brand ink is when I need a new cartridge to
replace a clogged one. If I had to limit myself to only Canon ink, I
would have to quit doing mailers and catalogs. I simply can't afford to
spend $250 on 100 catalogs. It makes no sense when I can do the same
100 catalogs for $80. And most of that is the cost of the brochure
paper.

 

[Taliesyn]

I just got a 4rd canon printer. I have been using 3 of them, all with
the same cartridges so that I can switch them out as needed.

You can't remove the cartridges from one printer and place them in
another without cleaning out the ink from the previous printer's
printhead. The ink remaining in the printhead will dry (clog) in no time.

I haven't had any problems with any of
the printheads. The individual tanks do eventually clog

I have never heard of a cartridge clogging. Printhead nozzles, yes.
Cartridge? Where in the cartridge is there a narrow opening that would
clog on you?

-Taliesyn

 

[zakezuke]

The only time I buy Canon brand ink is when I need a new cartridge to

replace a clogged one. If I had to limit myself to only Canon ink, I
would have to quit doing mailers and catalogs. I simply can't afford to
spend $250 on 100 catalogs. It makes no sense when I can do the same
100 catalogs for $80. And most of that is the cost of the brochure
paper.

Ah those guys, share the same part number as "image specalists". I
was refered to them by someone else a while back. Never bought from
them though.

He'll refuse to accept the logic... or rather he'll pretend to not
understand the simple fact that it costs less. He'll kick and scream
but it's so much trouble, but you'll clog the head, and keep the
argument going repeating himself over and over again. It's amazing...
and sad at the same time. It's all rather pointless... esp when people
are not asking about OEM ink or Aftermarket ink.

 

[zakezuke]

1. Seems to be trouble free

2. Has decent photo quality
3. Has a decent price on ink cartridges
4. Is not to slow with text print jobs

$100 vs $150 is a better bracket in the long term. Most sub $100
printers take thimble sized cartridges while seemingly cheap actually
cost you more per volume and per page. The Epson R200 is an exception
but my experence with this printer was poor.... but the output is
beautiful and the cost of the printer is little more than the ink it
comes with. The r300/r320 are similar but cost a tad more and have the
fancy onboard screen.

The Canon ip4200 is $130ish depending on where you shop. It's so new I
haven't seen it yet... based on my experence with the ip5000 the photo
output is brillent and since it only takes 4 inks for photos makes it a
reasonably cost effective option.

The HP photosmart 8150 is a tad spendy for inks, but a brillent photo
printer The 8250 costs even more $200 but for that money you get cheap
inks, we're talking 6 inks at $10/each color $18ish for the black.
Which for color per page is onpar with canon within a few cents. It'll
still cost you $70 to get all the tanks. Worth looking at.

 

[Burt]

Taliesyn - I think he meant that he has backup cartridges to switch out when
one is low or empty, and that it is most efficient when all the printers use
the same carts. Cartridges can eventually start to feed poorly after
several refills. Go to the Nifty-stuff forum and look at the thread on
purging carts. After enough ink dries in the sponge area and near the
filter at the outlet port the carts can be revived by backflushing them with
hot tap water. Sort of a cart enema! I don't think many people would
bother as virgin carts or prefilled carts can be purchased very reasonably.

 

[Burt]

Friesian - good virgin carts are available and much cheaper than new OEM
carts. MIS sells them for about $4 and you can also buy a starter kit from
Hobbicolors which includes a set of virgin carts. I bought their six color
Canon set for about $22 and it included the empty carts with plastic screws
in the fill holes. Both company's carts work well.

If you are so inclined, the carts that function poorly after several refills
can be backflushed. Look at the thread on that subject on the Nifty-Stuff
forum.

 

[measekite]

ONLY IF YOU ARE A VERY HEAVY USER SHOULD YOU TAKE THE RISK OF ANYTHING
OTHER THAN GENUINE INK AND IF THAT IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT JOB TO KNOW
EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE GETTING.

IF YOU GO TO MOST ANY WEBSITE YOU WILL NOT SEE A DESCRIPTION OF THE BRAND OF INK THE VENDOR SELLS. MOST WILL NOT EVEN DISCLOSE IT OVER THE PHONE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY ONE VENDOR THAT THEY USE A BRAND OF PIGMENTED INK ONLY TO HAVE PROPONENTS OF THAT VENDOR DISPUTE THAT HERE.

ONE NEVER KNOWS WHAT TO BELIEVE. THE MFG IS THE ONLY SAVE BET.

 

[measekite]

measekite wrote:




I guess I qualify as a heavy user as a single project can have me
printing 600 color pages in one day (100 catalogs made up of 3
doublesided pages). Usually done on two printers to save time.

YOU SHOULD TAKE THESE JOBS TO A PRINTER OR A COPY CENTER THAT DOES
PRINTING. THESE JOBS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR AN INKJET PRINTER. MAYBE NOT
EVEN A LASER.

I just got a 4rd canon printer. I have been using 3 of them, all with
the same cartridges so that I can switch them out as needed.

Frankly, the only reason I became a heavy user was because of the
ability to refill the ink. Only when I discovered how much I could save
(5 cents a sheet vs 99 cents at Kinkos), I realized I could really
promote my business and increase sales. I have a photography business,
and with this system, I can afford to do mailers (catalogs, postcards,
greeting cards, etc). I take flyers and catalogs with me to shows. And
I send out proof sheets that are cheap to print out.

I may have been lucky to find a good ink source. I do not buy the kinds
in the stores. I buy it from a website called
www.printerfillingstation.com.

They sell a kit that has the right tools and includes directions for
your printer. And you order the ink based on your type of printer. I
have ordered from them 3 times in the past 3 years. About to order
again as myblack is almost out. I haven't had any problems with any of
the printheads. The individual tanks do eventually clog, but only about
once a year for the colors and twice a year for the black. One order of
ink that costs me $60-70 replaces hundreds of dollars in ink. I stopped
counting refills after I passed $500 in comparable ink costs and still
had almost half of my ink left.

The only time I buy Canon brand ink is when I need a new cartridge to
replace a clogged one. If I had to limit myself to only Canon ink, I
would have to quit doing mailers and catalogs. I simply can't afford to
spend $250 on 100 catalogs. It makes no sense when I can do the same
100 catalogs for $80. And most of that is the cost of the brochure
paper.

THIS IS ONE OF THE RARE CASES THAT IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO RISK THE
PRINTER IF KINKOS COSTS THAT MUCH.

BUT YOU SHOULD USE OEM INK FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS. AND WHILE I LIKE CANON
IF EPSON PIGMENTED INK DOES IN FACT HAVE GREATER DURABILITY MAYBE THAT
IS WHAT YOU SHOULD USE WHEN SELLING PHOTOGRAPHS.

 

[zakezuke]

I guess I qualify as a heavy user as a single project can have me

you should take these jobs to a printer or a copy center that does printing
these jobs are not intended for an inkjet printer, maybe not even a laser

600 pages a day on two printers? I guess something rated a monthly
volume of 10,000 to 20,000 pages isn't going to the trick then, like a
businessjet 1100 or 2300 series, or heck for the cheap user the hp 1000
series only rated at 6250 pages/month.

Not even a laser? Lasers are typicaly rated at above and beyond 10,000
pages/month.

I agree a printshop is "worth" considering but obviously the person
already has a printer and is happy doing it in house... that's one
reason people buy printers in the first place. Perhaps you should
educate your self on the options that are available. I agree that
consumer inkjets are not the best for this job, but they can do it and
at the very most if they kick the bucket after 5000 pages only add 2
cents/page.

but you should use oem ink for your customers

For monthly catalogs and proofsheets? Those things people might look
at once?

 

[measekite]

MEASEKITE SAID

600 pages a day on two printers? I guess something rated a monthly
volume of 10,000 to 20,000 pages isn't going to the trick then, like a
businessjet 1100 or 2300 series, or heck for the cheap user the hp 1000
series only rated at 6250 pages/month.

Not even a laser? Lasers are typicaly rated at above and beyond 10,000
pages/month.

I agree a printshop is "worth" considering but obviously the person
already has a printer and is happy doing it in house... that's one
reason people buy printers in the first place. Perhaps you should
educate your self on the options that are available. I agree that
consumer inkjets are not the best for this job, but they can do it and
at the very most if they kick the bucket after 5000 pages only add 2
cents/page.

MEASEKITE SAID

 

[friesian]

You can't remove the cartridges from one printer and place them in
another without cleaning out the ink from the previous printer's
printhead. The ink remaining in the printhead will dry (clog) in no time.

I do not leave them empty.Same as just putting in a new one.

I have never heard of a cartridge clogging. Printhead nozzles, yes.
Cartridge? Where in the cartridge is there a narrow opening that would
clog on you?

Not sure if we are using the same terminology. I refer to the tanks as
individual cartridges. And they all go into the printhead. If I am
wrong in that terminology, please let me know. I don't want to use the
terms incorrectly.

As far as clogging, I just know that after a good year of reusing the
tank, it simply doesn't print anymore. Filling them does no good. They
just don't work anymore, and I have to get a new one. When I asked
about it, I was told it was clogged, so I just got a new one and that
solved the problem.

I have never had to replace the printhead, or even remove it from the
printer. Replacing the individual tanks on occasion is the only thing I
have had to do.

 

[Davy]

Get away from clogging and get a Canon.

Davy

 

[friesian]

YOU SHOULD TAKE THESE JOBS TO A PRINTER OR A COPY CENTER THAT >DOES PRINTING. THESE JOBS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR AN INKJET PRINTER. >MAYBE NOT EVEN A LASER.

Why?

Honestly, why should I pay $6 per catalog to print 6 color pages, when
I can print the same thing at home for 30 cents.

I am doing this as a business. I cannot afford to give out free
catalogs if it's going to cost me $6. Sure, printshops have a discount
for higher quantity, but I can print any amount I need, and I can
change them as needed.

And since it is has been working quite well for me for a few years now,
I see no reason to quit doing them, or dramatically increase my costs.

 

[measekite]

Why?

Honestly, why should I pay $6 per catalog to print 6 color pages, when
I can print the same thing at home for 30 cents.

IF YOU HAVE THE TIME AND WANT TO INVEST THE LABOR THEN DO WHAT YOU ARE DOING

 

[measekite]

Taliesyn wrote:



I do not leave them empty.Same as just putting in a new one.






Not sure if we are using the same terminology. I refer to the tanks as
individual cartridges. And they all go into the printhead. If I am
wrong in that terminology, please let me know. I don't want to use the
terms incorrectly.

As far as clogging, I just know that after a good year of reusing the
tank, it simply doesn't print anymore. Filling them does no good. They
just don't work anymore, and I have to get a new one. When I asked
about it, I was told it was clogged, so I just got a new one and that
solved the problem.

I WOULD IMAGINE THE SPONGE IN THE TANK GOT MESSED UP. IT REALLY WAS NOT
MEANT TO BE REFILLED.

 

[friesian]

BUT YOU SHOULD USE OEM INK FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS. AND WHILE I LIKE CANON
IF EPSON PIGMENTED INK DOES IN FACT HAVE GREATER DURABILITY MAYBE THAT
IS WHAT YOU SHOULD USE WHEN SELLING PHOTOGRAPHS.

I do not sell prints made from ANY inkjet printer. I pay a lab to print
from my negatives the normal way, or have them use their much more
expensive printing machine for high quality prints.

As I stated before, I use my printers for flyers, catalogs, proof
sheets, etc. I will print glossy photos for me to use. But I do not
actually sell them to customers as they are not archival quality.

 

[drc023]

I took a look at the web site you referenced and saw that the prefix on
their Canon inks is WJ. This indicates that they are selling Image
Specialists ink which is highly regarded on this newsgroup. Other good bulk
inks are Formulabs available from www.alotofthings.com and HobbiColor ink
from www.hobbicolors.com. I also noticed that you said the only time you buy
Canon OEM cartridges is when you need a new one to use for refilling. Be
sure to take a look at the HobbiColors site. With the refill kit they sell,
you get new empty cartridges with nylon screws for sealing the fill opening.
If you need to order from them, go to eBay and search on HobbiColors or send
them a direct email. This is far less expensive than getting OEM tanks for
the purpose of refilling. Even if you didn't use the ink, it would still be
a huge savings. Also, because of your great comments about the benefits of
refilling I'm sure the troll will add you to the membership roll of what he
calls the Church of Aftermarket Refillers (or something like that). If so,
welcome aboard. Be sure to join the official website of the "church"
www.nifty-stuff.com The site is troll free and has some very interesting
discussions about refilling. While there, take a look at this thread
http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=433 which describes a
homemade setup I made for high volume refillers which makes mass refilling
very easy.

 

[drc023]

Attention All Readers of Measekites rantings. Take immediate action to save
your watches, it's too late for your shoes!!!!!
--
Ron

ONLY IF YOU ARE A VERY HEAVY USER SHOULD YOU TAKE THE RISK OF ANYTHING
OTHER THAN GENUINE INK AND IF THAT IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT JOB TO KNOW
EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE GETTING.

IF YOU GO TO MOST ANY WEBSITE YOU WILL NOT SEE A DESCRIPTION OF THE BRAND
OF INK THE VENDOR SELLS. MOST WILL NOT EVEN DISCLOSE IT OVER THE PHONE.
I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY ONE VENDOR THAT THEY USE A BRAND OF PIGMENTED INK ONLY
TO HAVE PROPONENTS OF THAT VENDOR DISPUTE THAT HERE.

ONE NEVER KNOWS WHAT TO BELIEVE. THE MFG IS THE ONLY SAVE BET.

snipped