How do you print your digital image files?

[Chip Hildreth]

I decided to try this because of another thread with some semi-passionate views being expressed. Since printing choices are frequently made based on the intended use for the prints, it might be helpful to specify why you print what with what. You can select more than one type but I ask that you only select the ones you use regularly.

[Noelf]

I print "lesser" images on an Epson 1280 printer, and then archival images on an Epson R800.

Truthfully the R800 has printed as nice if not nicer images in some cases, than anything I had done by a larger lab.

- Noel

[jeaniesa]

Like Noel, I use an Epson 1280 for prints that I don't need to last very long. Since I got a CIS to use with my 1280, my ink costs have dropped dramatically.

I use an Epson 2200 for my archival prints. I'm a control freak, so I love having control over the entire process. I used an awful lot of ink getting to the point where I know what I see on my screen is going to come out on the printer, but now that I'm at that point I can't imagine printing any other way. Plus, I love all of the paper options!

Jeanie

[Vikki]

I've used quite a few of the printers listed above, and my favorite is the Fuji Frontier. Actually, I'm surprised it isn't a category, as it is used by most online services and places such as Walmart, Sam's Club, and Costco.
Matte and mounted is my favorite finish.

[Juliana Ross]

Any one try the somerset velvet paper on an Epson 9600, looks nice for B&W stuff....and I have too many favs to vote, different stuff for different results

[Chip Hildreth]

This is cool. I've gotta tell you, I've never participated in a forum before and I'm really happy about finding a community of people who share thoughts and ideas on a subject like this... It's just cool. Thank you guys for responding to this poll; digital printing has consumed a lot of my time over the last couple of years and now I'm learning how other people approach it.

Noel, Jeanie,
I like prints from the 2200 just as well as lab prints with the exception of the blacks, I don't get the sort of blacks I used to get in the darkroom.
We use the Media Street G-Chrome inks with a Niagara CIS and it rocks. We've used it for two limited edition printings now and with the exception of some head striking the printer has turned out as many as 80 13"x19" watercolor prints a day when needed. We use it for all kinds of stuff. It paid for itself in about a month, that includes the CIS.
I've had a little trouble with the head parking station and occaisionally, particularly with textured paper, the head will strike the paper and start siphoning. I do have to baby sit it when doing long runs.

Vikki,
I intended the in-store kiosk choice to cover the Fuji Frontier, I probably shouldn't have used the word 'kiosk'... matter of fact, I think I should have used kiosk in conjunction with the dye sub choice instead. I've never used one. An old business partner and friend of mine runs a mini-lab and he really got clobbered when a Wal-mart moved in an his printing business dried up practically overnight. I guess I've harbored a personal predjudice since then but... the Frontier must be good or all that business wouldn't have dried up. I'll probably try it soon just to see for myself.

Juliana,
I use Somerset velvet to print restorations of hand tinted photos. It's really perfect so long as you protect the surface with bulldog or some sort of laquer. We are looking into a Epson 9600 right now for large format exhibit printing which has become an important part of our business. At the moment we rent time on an Epson 10000 at my friend's mini-lab.

This is just cool...

[Noelf]

Noel, Jeanie,
I like prints from the 2200 just as well as lab prints with the exception of the blacks, I don't get the sort of blacks I used to get in the darkroom.

I have to agree it is cool to find people of like minds

I don't use a 2200, I use the new R800. I've just finished printing out a few b/w images that I was definitely satisfied with. Not sure if the 2200 uses the same ink setups or not honestly.

The 1280 definitely doesn't do as nice a job on black and white unfortunately. If I ever did a lot of b/w printing on that system, I would have to look into one of the dedicated b/w ink setups.

- Noel

[jeaniesa]

Chip, Are you using the latest ICC profiles from Epson for the 2200? I just discovered these yesterday (I think they were posted back in Feb) and I have to say they made a huge difference in the quality of my B&W prints!! I'd pretty much given up on trying to get a good B&W and resorted to sepia toning for just about all of my monotone prints. But the new profiles are great - I'm so excited!

Jeanie

[charlotte]

Hi Jeanie
May I ask if you are printing with these profiles from PS -I have not used them yet and was curious - I usually print from Qimage -I am still trying to understand the art of printing and what settings to use and not- it can get confusing.
Charlotte

[jeaniesa]

Charlotte, Yes I'm printing from PS. But the profiles should work with any program that has color management (which the Qimage website says it does).

Jeanie

[slipchuck]

printing

I have a gretagmacbeth eye one display and profile my monitor.
I get almost perfect results from my epson photo 820 but it just costs too much.
for just regular prints I send mine to walmart and I get good results for less then the cost of my paper.
If I am really fussy I print from my 820

slipchuck

[Markendorf]

Charlotte, Yes I'm printing from PS. But the profiles should work with any program that has color management (which the Qimage website says it does).

Jeanie

Well, yes and no.

Will be very difficult to print the best color management pieces outside Adobe universe, I supose that the user dont' have any RIP or custom ICC's to handle color management. Despite was told about native OS CM and the real capacity of non Adobe App, there are many discrepancies about final results.

The best app's that handle well ICC's and RGB/CMY devices, are PS and Indesign CS.

Regards,

Adriano

[prole]

Digital output

Due to lack of high end output devices at home I've been stuck using Xerox docu-color and HP large format at work (free prints ROCK), with a few tektronixs at other jobs and a Alps with positive results. I love the tektronix's saturation, though, I think the docu-color (in the hands of compentant operator) is pretty comparable. I haven't had a chance to try out the iGens yet, any opinions?

[vinniesworld]

I'm using a Epson Stylus Photo 960, seems to be a good inkjet. I usually send off my photos for 4x6 prints to DotPhoto, just can't beat 16 cents a pic.

[Markendorf]

Yes, this printer is good.
But how well will color managed isn't about the printer it self, but instead that, Native file application (PS/Corel/Quark and this Color Manager Modules) RIP'S and/or native printer driver.

Regards,

Adriano