Laser VS Inkjet

On Mon, 18 Dec 2006 13:09:54 -0800, Clint S. wrote
(in article <4m0eo2d7bshhnm9bspj6tpopn9mldaatum.TakeThisOut@4ax.com>):

> Hi Folks,
>
> I know we've all had this discussion before but, I have a friend that wants
> to print-out his pictures taken with his Nikon D2X. He's leaning in the
> direction of a 9 color inkjet but I think he should consider a color
> laser.(For cost reasons) I would appreciate any and all comments and
> direction you can send my way to help him in his decision.

I use both. Laser printers can do very good work, but they cannot equal a
good dye printer. They are also much more limited in the kinds of paper they
will accept. Laser printers can be damaged by coated papers. On the other
hand, they are a lot cheaper to operate, no question.

So: brochures, newsletters, flyers, etc., you use the laser printer.
Individual photo prints, fine art, and so on, you use a dye printer or take
it to a commercial printer.
 >> Stay informed about: Laser VS Inkjet 

And lo, Skip <shadowcatcher.DeleteThis@cox.net> emerged from the ether
and spake thus:
> "Aaron" <aaron.DeleteThis@fisheyegallery.com> wrote in message
> news:slrneoftb6.hmr.aaron@thebailiwick.com...
>>
>> Let me also recommend White House Custom Color (www.whcc.com). Their
>> prices are second-to-none and their customer service is tops. They
>> serve a slightly more professional audience than most of the digital
>> shops online (AdoramaPix, Shutterfly, etc. come to mind). Your friend
>> might consider all of the above. I warn that Shutterfly has never
>> shown me superb output, although AdoramaPix has.
>>
>
> I'd second that. We just used them for the first time for some client
> images, and they were great. And an improvement over Mpix, as far as ease
> of use.

I should add that I just received my first *real* order from them
today. I had only seen their five free test prints until now. I
ordered three 16x20 prints finished on 1/8" masonite (a dense particle
board for those who are unfamiliar), and the results are *stunning*.
Very accurate color reproduction and a spotless, clean finishing job.
Just what you would expect from a professional shop.

I have also inquired on some custom jobs, such as finishing on board
to a square layout, and their customer support is very willing to help
you get whatever you need, within their capabilities.

Their "ROES" java-based, cross-platform tool for putting in orders is
a really great, interactive, and fast way to send in your work. It
helps to see with your own eyes that you are ordering the correct
aspect ratio prints, or if you are purposefully providing blank areas,
how they fall on the page.

My friend recently received a few of his prints that were improperly
packed with tape ON the image itself. This was a jarring discovery for
he and I both. Fortunately the prints were fine after careful removal
of the tape, but he called them to complain about it, anyway. The gal
he spoke with quickly offered to reprint them all and ship them *at no
cost*. It doesn't get much better than that. Other than doing it right
the first time, of course, but my prints had no such issues; I suspect
it was a new employee or uncommon fluke.

I can't sing their praises enough.

--
Aaron
http://www.fisheyegallery.com
http://www.singleservingphoto.com
 >> Stay informed about: Laser VS Inkjet 

The new HP color laser printers when used with the supported photo paper
print almost the same quality as the inkjet version. We have a 3550 and new
4600 HP and both of them print nicely with the edge in quality of photo on
the 4600. I also have a 3210 HP photosmart inkjet and it's the best
all-in-one device I've ever owned. Prints excellent photographic copies and
scans with higher quality than any scanner i've owned before as well. And
it's very easy to use. You basically press a button on the front of the
printer and the computer links and starts up the programs automatically.
Very nice indeed.

Steve

<Clint S.> wrote in message
news:4m0eo2d7bshhnm9bspj6tpopn9mldaatum@4ax.com...
> Hi Folks,
>
> I know we've all had this discussion before but, I have a friend that
> wants
> to print-out his pictures taken with his Nikon D2X. He's leaning in the
> direction of a 9 color inkjet but I think he should consider a color
> laser.(For cost reasons) I would appreciate any and all comments and
> direction you can send my way to help him in his decision.
>
> Thanks Much!!
>
> Clint
>
> Your Portion Of Light
>
> Whether you are a brilliant flame or
> but a tiny spark matters not-for the world
> needs whatever portion of light is yours to give.
 >> Stay informed about: Laser VS Inkjet 

I just bought a Samsung color laser copier.
I made some test with HP Laser Photo and Imaging Paper ( 4.1 mil, 32 lb, 103
brightness)
The emulation is 100% and very good. However it is not like having prints
made at the photo lab.
The photo lab prints are produced on thicker and glossier paper.

"Steve m..." <Stevem5215.DeleteThis@PLEASEno_spam_.com> wrote in message
news:52jjh.1704$kD4.1359@trndny06...
> The new HP color laser printers when used with the supported photo paper
> print almost the same quality as the inkjet version. We have a 3550 and
> new 4600 HP and both of them print nicely with the edge in quality of
> photo on the 4600. I also have a 3210 HP photosmart inkjet and it's the
> best all-in-one device I've ever owned. Prints excellent photographic
> copies and scans with higher quality than any scanner i've owned before as
> well. And it's very easy to use. You basically press a button on the
> front of the printer and the computer links and starts up the programs
> automatically. Very nice indeed.
>
> Steve
>
> <Clint S.> wrote in message
> news:4m0eo2d7bshhnm9bspj6tpopn9mldaatum@4ax.com...
>> Hi Folks,
>>
>> I know we've all had this discussion before but, I have a friend that
>> wants
>> to print-out his pictures taken with his Nikon D2X. He's leaning in the
>> direction of a 9 color inkjet but I think he should consider a color
>> laser.(For cost reasons) I would appreciate any and all comments and
>> direction you can send my way to help him in his decision.
>>
>> Thanks Much!!
>>
>> Clint
>>
>> Your Portion Of Light
>>
>> Whether you are a brilliant flame or
>> but a tiny spark matters not-for the world
>> needs whatever portion of light is yours to give.
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Laser VS Inkjet 

Aaron wrote:

<heavily edited, for brevity>

> 1. Always use your printer's branded ink. Third-party inks are a waste
> of time and money. It may appear to be a cost savings, and they
> will claim their performance is comparable, but they're full of
> @#$*.

Hello, Aaron:

I have an Epson Stylus Photo 825, and I've been refilling both its own,
bundled black and color cartridges, and "Insten" branded ones, using a
Stratitec EIR500S "Premium Series Black & Color Photo-Certified Inkjet
Refill Kit."

To these untrained eyes, anyhow, there's very little (if any) difference
between Stratitec's ink and Epson's.

> 2. By sticking with Canon/Epson, your friend will be able to
> experiment with third-party artistic inkjet papers tested for those
> major brands and available from such fine shops as Red River Paper
> Company (www.redrivercatalog.com). I have used their papers for
> years and have always been satisfied. They do not test their papers
> for other brands of printers.

Once, again, I employ third-party photo paper, and it looks great. I've
only printed a few 4"x6" prints (nothing bigger), but at a minimum,
they're definitely as good as anything I've ever gotten from Wal-Mart.

> 3. A six- or nine-color inkjet is somewhat more cost-effective than a
> color laser because you can replace 1/6 or 1/9 of your ink at a
> time, running each individual tank to its absolute terminus. Color
> laser printers almost exclusively use quad-cartridge CMYK systems
> (although some throw in a fifth color). This somehow translates
> into a cost savings, but I'm not a mathematician.
>
> I actually can't think of any reasons your friend should consider
> color laser if what he wants are photographic prints.

I heartily concur, on color lasers being totally unsuitable for serious
photography.


Cordially,
John Turco <jtur.DeleteThis@concentric.net>
 >> Stay informed about: Laser VS Inkjet 

<Clint S.> wrote in message
news:4m0eo2d7bshhnm9bspj6tpopn9mldaatum@4ax.com...
> Hi Folks,
>
> I know we've all had this discussion before but, I have a friend that
> wants
> to print-out his pictures taken with his Nikon D2X. He's leaning in the
> direction of a 9 color inkjet but I think he should consider a color
> laser.(For cost reasons) I would appreciate any and all comments and
> direction you can send my way to help him in his decision.
>
> Thanks Much!!
>
> Clint

I doubt there's a direct cost savings per page advantage with laser if both
types are running fine. But if you care to factor in spoilage and the mean
time before failure, I say the laser will beat out the inkjet.
9 crayons are better than 4 crayons.Underneath plastic or glass and some
passing time it's hard to say whether anyone would notice or care.
 >> Stay informed about: Laser VS Inkjet