Large Format Printer Help

[margaritaraven]

Ok, so I am looking into buying a large format printer after the first of the year. I would like to be able to print up to a 16x20 at home. I have seen a few, but I have no idea about any of them. If anyone has one that they recommend I would love to hear about it. Thank you !!!

[J R WEEMS]

EPSON- hands down would be my choice. I just got a 810 for up to 8X10 and couldn't be happier with it. For my larger prints, up to 30X40, I use M-PIX

LINK:

Mpix.com - Home

They are best of quality, and packaging, and at your door step in a week. I also have used FOTO TIME, but you may not want to join them. here is a link if you do. I store photos there and have for 5 years now.

SEE - FotoTime


Larger photos take a LOT of ink, and by the time you buy larger paper and all the ink, I am not all that sure it is cost effective to create the larger prints at home. JMHO

If you have them printed you will want them to be at least 250 DPI - photos for the WEB are fine at 72, but that will not work for printing of larger photos.

GOOD LUCK!!

I have about 15 coming for Christmas presents.

[Digidave]

Let me just add that I would agree with J R WEEMS. I had a couple of 12x18's printed at MPix recently & they came out fantastic.

[margaritaraven]

thanks guys!!



I am looking at an Epson stylus photo 1400 and a Epson Stylus Photo R2880 Ink Jet Printer
(at the moment) .. anyone know anything about these??

[beatles2]

I have been using that for about a year now ,,, ebson 1400,, very happy with.it. i like being able to print 11x14 and 12x 12. prints

[margaritaraven]

thanks beatles2 !

[autofocus]

I think what many are saying here is to use a lab for your enlargements. When you consider the cost of the printer, the ink tanks, and the paper used, most would agree that it's cheaper in the long run to go the photo lab route. (unless you have a particularly special reason to own one??)

[margaritaraven]

Originally Posted by autofocus

go the photo lab route. (unless you have a particularly special reason to own one??)

Well, I plan on having a small in home studio set up after the first of the year. I would like to have a nice printer to be able to print items myself. Guess it is really just the satisfaction of taking the art from the very start to the very finish. Even down to boxing or framing, whichever is desired. I just want to make sure before purchasing one because it is for sure an investment. Google and reviews really only say so much. Nothing like hearing it straight from people that either use a large format printer or have used in the past.
I have however, bookmarked the printing sites mentioned.

The more I research, the more I am leaning toward the Epson R2880

[Car2n]

Epson 3880
***Large ink cartridges.**
17x22 printing means 16x20's
You can't get 16x20's out of Epsons lesser models meaning 11x14 is the largest common size.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by margaritaraven

Well, I plan on having a small in home studio set up after the first of the year. I would like to have a nice printer to be able to print items myself. Guess it is really just the satisfaction of taking the art from the very start to the very finish. Even down to boxing or framing, whichever is desired. I just want to make sure before purchasing one because it is for sure an investment. Google and reviews really only say so much. Nothing like hearing it straight from people that either use a large format printer or have used in the past.
I have however, bookmarked the printing sites mentioned.

The more I research, the more I am leaning toward the Epson R2880

You can buy a lot of enlargements for what that printer is going to set you back...plus the lab will correct images for you if you so choose. It's like buying one of those high powered push leaf blowers that'll run nearly 600-700 dollars. You use it once a year, and the rest of the time it sits in your shed collecting dust. Needless to say, I rent one when I need it Do the math..maybe you'll have a need to do 15 -20 16x20 images a year (most people shy away from them not only for the image cost, but also for the matting and framing costs...most of our clients rarely go above 11x14's) Let's say your lab charges ~$15 for a 16x20...at 20 per year your cost is $300 bucks. If you buy a $3000 printer, it'll take you 10 years before you're ahead (not to mention the cost of paper and ink not included in this little exercise) ...it'll be obsolete or broken by that time too! Hey...just food for thought