Printing!

[compleks]

I neeeeeeed input, please

How/Where does everyone here get their photos printed?

More specifically, I'm considering getting a printer and would like some advice.
Is it worth while? Is it cheaper to just order prints online?

If you do your own printing, can you recommend a good printer?
I noticed these days you can get A3 printers more readily. Do you think it would be worth while?

What are my basic printer options? How much does it cost you to keep running (buying ink etc...)?

Any help appreciated.

Cheers.

[graciousness]

You've asked a lot of questions which require a lot of answers

First thing first is your budget. If you want good, quality prints and you can't afford a really, really good home printer and maintenance for expensive ink, then use local printers or online. There's a lot of good local pro printers there in Melbourne - go and google.

If you're really pressed on having your own photo printer, go and google again for the top printers out there and you'll find that you will be spending hundreds, if not, over $1K on a decent photo printer. This is the reason I don't have one.

Firstly, though, do you have your monitor calibrated? No point printing anything if you haven't got your monitor calibrated. Your photos will just look wrong in printing if you edited in non-calibrated monitor.

[OsmosisStudios]

Find and develop a relationship with a good lab. Local is best. If you cant, then there are tons of great online sources for it. Mpex and Adorama come to mind.

[compleks]

Thanks guys, appreciate the help. I think I'll save myself the headache and just order prints as I need them.
Cheers

[lerabu]

Hi!

As the guys said, find a local printer whom you like and whose results you like and develop a relationship. After a while you start getting discounts! Weeeeeeee!