Reader's Comments - Index of - Free

Color Printers
We are currently printing images on an Epson Photo EX using the MIS archival
inks, the previous poster seems to have gotten some bad information. It's not quite
as expensive as some believe, we are currently printing a run of 11x15 full color
images (actual image size 9 3/4 x 13 1/2)and getting 25-30 prints from each
cartidge. We probably average $2 per page in ink cost, most of our images are
approximately 30 mb scans and we are using 140 lb. Arches hot press for the
current work. The artists we have worked with have been pleased with the work
both on Arches and Concorde Rag (note the Concorde costs 3x as much). While not
scientific I have had one of the images printed in June '99 hanging in my window
(Houston, TX) and no signs of fading yet.
-- Jeff Measamer, January 18, 2000
Just to be contrary, how often do you care about the archival quality of a printed
color image?
I'd care a *lot* about the lifetime of the media on which image file is recorded
(what is the lifetime of a CD, CD-R or CD-RW?). But for the printed image - well I
can always print out another copy later - possibly on a better printer :).
Clearly if you are going posting your image on an outside wall in the sun, you have
an issue. On the other hand some of our local fast-food joints appear to be selling
blue food...
-- Preston Bannister, April 17, 2000
I have read several of the comments here and I find all of the different points of
view interesting. The one thing I do think is very exciting is the fact that Digital
Photography is evolving into a very "respectable" format to express your art... or
use as an alternative in your commercial applications... or just to show off the kids
to friends and family. I think it is worth reminding folks how far "Photo Quality"
prints have come in just a few years. Especially in the low end market.
I realize that most of the people who leave comments here and debate the
usability and quality of today's printers are Pro or Simi-Pro, and that they are
comparing the printers to high quality photography film and printing processes.
There are a few things that I would like to throw out there for your consideration.
● First - That the quality of the printed image has, in a large part, more to do
with the quality of the digital image source than does the printer. For
example, the digital camera used to take the original image can have a
http://www.photo.net/equipment/digital/printers/primer (24 of 36)7/3/2005 2:20:36 AM