How many of you print you images, and if so how?

[olakiril]

Ny favourite paper was Ilford Galerie Gold Fibre Silk, but it's been discontinued. Pinnacle Premium Silk Baryta seems identical. If you buy an Epson printer, its Premium Semigloss is actually very good, and is what I use as my everyday paper.

You'll find yourself using tons more ink than expected, as loads are used for self-cleaning, and to fix clogs - quite frequent if the printer isn't used regularly! Not a deal breaker, just something to bear in mind - good idea to always have a good store of spare cartridges as you will run out just when that crucial print is needed (ask me how I know!). Amazon and eBay often have cheap deals on ink and paper. I check eBay regularly and stock up on bargains!

The printers aren't too bad re. cost and last if looked after. My Epson 2880 was bought about 2010 and is still going strong. The print quality holds up to modern printers, and I have no intention of replacing it until it dies! Also, despite its age, no problem getting original ink cartridges, So, for upfront costs, consider you may have well over a decade of use.

Appreciate it Rich!

Found a review of the Pinnacle Premium Silk Baryta, and it looks pretty good indeed. http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/paper-review-pinnacle-warmtone-baryta-310/
Unfortunately, I don't seem to find the available here, the only Baryta variety is from Hahnemuhle.

That Hahnemuhle Baryta paper seems excellent but it is very expensive at 5 euros/A3+ !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6Rvxzh_0HU&t=654s

I was planning to start with Canon Pro premium Luster/matte. Any other good but not too expensive papers?

If I go with the Pro300 I can use the cartridges from the Pro1000 to refill so that will bring down the ink cost at least.

 

[Dogman]

olakiril, let me make one suggestion before you begin printing so that you may enjoy the process to the maximum. Never compute the cost of printing pictures. There's no way to monetarily justify the cost. But there's no way to justify the cost of our cameras, lenses, computers, etc., either. Especially when you consider the frequent updates many make in gear. These are pursuits of personal satisfaction and self-gratification--unless you're actually selling your photos. If it brings you pleasure and creative fulfillment, that's all that matters. Can't put a dollar value on that.

 

[olakiril]

olakiril, let me make one suggestion before you begin printing so that you may enjoy the process to the maximum. Never compute the cost of printing pictures. There's no way to monetarily justify the cost. But there's no way to justify the cost of our cameras, lenses, computers, etc., either. Especially when you consider the frequent updates many make in gear. These are pursuits of personal satisfaction and self-gratification--unless you're actually selling your photos. If it brings you pleasure and creative fulfillment, that's all that matters. Can't put a dollar value on that.

Yep, I agree with you. When I was younger I didn't think about it much. Now with children I could always justify cameras and lenses (both to me and to my wife) because I am capturing fleeting moments. Up to a point of course, cause things can get crazy really fast. While printing in the film days was a necessity, now with digital not so much any more.

 

[Calzone]

Sorry Cal, I knew it was one of them. I have been trying to use Piezo for long enough that it has changed about 20 times. An advantage in Australia is that our competition regulator forces Epson to make the printers work with third party carts and to honour the warranty when they are used.

I still find the most disheartening thing about inkjet printing is throwing out media that has problems or deconstructing it for test prints. So much waste. They are selling us crap media (paper mostly, but transparency too).

Marty

Marty,

No apology require, I was more or less providing an update.

For savings I take advantage of sales a Ink Jet Mall (Jon Cone's site). When I decided to get serious about becoming a fine art printer, granted, limited to B&W, I ordered $10K worth of ink and paper one year.

Partly this was smart, but I had to discard some K-7 inks that had shelf lifed. This was mostly because Piezography Pro was developed and sidetracked me.

At one point I was running two printers doing K7 on my Epson 7800, and PP on my 3880 untill the 3880 gave it up and went to printer heaven.

So to become a good photographer it takes lots of shots, and with printing lots of wasted materials.

Kinda crazy filling a 350 ml cart for a Epson 7800. I bought 700 ml containers of ink (the biggest), after filling the carts which took half the container and doing the initial fill, it would be every other week that I had to refill and top off my carts.

Piezography lays down lots of ink.

Also know that at my rate of printing was not sustainable, so for half a year at a time I would store my printers loaded with Piezoflush as a form of maintenance. This practice really refreshes any printer.

That reminds me that I should do another power clean since my 7800 is in my basement and is in storage mode. Many thanks.

Cal

 

[filmtwit]

Cal,

Here's what I've learned about the Epson 7800 in the last 2 years of ownership, it literally almost always wants to do a power clean and I found you don't always need to do one. Run a nozzle check instead and the printer will do a standard clean (and not waste so much ink). If that doesn't work (IE- you get some speckles left), then do a second nozzle check. Only do a power clean if you've had it sitting literally for months.

Also, you'll burn ink if you keep making poster sized prints. Remember most walls handle 8x10 and at best 11x14 these days just fine. P-)

 

[Mark A. Fisher]

Canon IPF6400 here, 24” width. I have a solo exhibit scheduled for July, will be printing 60 pieces, from (frame size) 20x24, 22x28, and 30x40, all on Hahnemuhle Baryta 315gsm. Working title of the exhibit is “Through a Glass, Darkly”, and is directed toward Climate Change. This Canon printer is consistent in quality, I’ve had virtually no problems in 2 years of use.

Mark

 

[Calzone]

Cal,

Here's what I've learned about the Epson 7800 in the last 2 years of ownership, it literally almost always wants to do a power clean and I found you don't always need to do one. Run a nozzle check instead and the printer will do a standard clean (and not waste so much ink). If that doesn't work (IE- you get some speckles left), then do a second nozzle check. Only do a power clean if you've had it sitting literally for months.

Also, you'll burn ink if you keep making poster sized prints. Remember most walls handle 8x10 and at best 11x14 these days just fine. P-)

F,

I only do power cleans when nozzle checks indicate I should because of a bad nozzle check.

The Piezography Pro tends to not clog at all. I think this is because I use my printer a lot when I have inks loaded, and it never sits unused for more than 2-3 days.

I have been making large books of prints. This is the best way to display my work, and no need for framing.

My "Workbook" is made of 17x22 sheets with a 13.3x18 image size, and on the back of the prints is written in pencil the file number, my Lightroom settings, and other information that would be helpful like a title, subject's name, or location.

Pretty much a one off.

The next level of printing uses and exploits the 7800's roll paper capabilities, and the print size is larger with more impact. 17 inch width, but 25 inches long, with a larger image size.

The image size is increased only a little, but the impact and presentation is much more powerful. This also is the print size for editions that will fit a stock frame size.

Lots of obsessive thinking went into developing what I do to contain costs.

I use linen tape for hinges for the pages, and designed this "Book Of Proofs" to fit in a ready made archival box. I use binding posts so that I can edit.

I made a small 13x19 book that fits in an archival box as a small folio of sorts, but the big impact of course is my Book Of Proofs.

These are all "one-off's" and will be part of my estate. An art dealer mentioned as one-off's that one day they will be worth lots of money, and pretty much are and were the artist's possessions.

Cal

 

[Godfrey]

I print my photos with an Epson P600. I thought about a P800 when I upgraded to the P600 (had an R2400 before this one) but just don't print larger enough to warrant the additional cost and space. The P600, and the R2400 I had before it, produces superb quality photos that are archival on the right paper, and there are plenty of paper choices nowadays.

Never had a clog with either, given reasonable use and an occasional cleaning cycle.

G

 

[JohnWolf]

P800 here, too, with Epson ink and mostly Red River luster and ABW.

I like being able to print on demand for friends and family. I rarely print at the printer's largest size, but got this model because the cartridges are supposedly more economical. Still, at $57 each, it's painful to watch them run out.

John

I have an Epson P800 very pleased with the out put, as I was from the Epson 3880 I had for several years before (it died). Print all sizes up to 17"x22" but most large prints are 13x19. I stick to one paper as it suits my needs (Epson Premium Lustre) and Epson inks.
Had my first chemical darkroom when I was 12 and built several afterwards, but would never go back. I still shoot B&W film and develop myself - then "scan" in with a digital camera.

 

[olakiril]

Ok you all got me convinced. Going for the Canon Pro 300. Off to convince my wife!

 

[shimokita]

For the most part I only outsource and only for enlargements - one or two a year. The one exception is selected project / road trips for the following reason... my friend's mother is 94 and on occasion I prepare a collection of small prints for her to view at her pace. An own printer would be overkill at this volume.

 

[robert blu]

I like to print because I like to have "real print" of selected images. It is a pleasure to have them in the hands!

I print with an Epson P600, planning to upgrade to the new P700 or P900.

I oft print also to make small hand made books or dummy for larger books.
Sometimes I print larger but usually no more than A3+

To have a control of the complete process is a great benefit and helps to improve my photography. And at the end it is a satsfaction 🙂

Preliminary work for a small dummy which later became a Blurb book

Prints for a very limited edition of a hand made book

Hanhemuehle Album home printed

 

[olakiril]

I oft print also to make small hand made books or dummy for larger books.

Thanks Robert, these look great. Making hand made books is one of the reasons that I want to start printing at home.

I am planing for a photo zine with perfect binding. Do you have any experience with this?

 

[Calzone]

I like to print because I like to have "real print" of selected images. It is a pleasure to have them in the hands!

I print with an Epson P600, planning to upgrade to the new P700 or P900.

I oft print also to make small hand made books or dummy for larger books.
Sometimes I print larger but usually no more than A3+

To have a control of the complete process is a great benefit and helps to improve my photography. And at the end it is a satsfaction 🙂

Preliminary work for a small dummy which later became a Blurb book

Prints for a very limited edition of a hand made book

Hanhemuehle Album home printed

Robert made an important point that is profound: Printing can make you into a better photographer.

Also printing can make you into a better editor.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

Very nice Robert. 🙂

 

[Michael Markey]

Very nice Robert.

I rarely print any shots and if I do I send them to Ilford because I like how they do them.

I only have two prints on my wall of my own shots .

I was talked into getting them printed by Stewart (Sparrow).
He asked me if I wanted them a certain way or the way he would print them.
Being totally clueless about such things I opted for the latter .

 

[robert blu]

Thanks John and Michael for your worrds. Michael I Think you must have been very satisfied by Stewart's prints!

I alsoimade minibook from a single A4 sheet of paper:

If interested the process is explained in details here in my blog.

 

[Dogman]

Well #@^!!

My R3000 refused to take paper this morning. I've been online for hours searching for a solution and it appears the solution is a new printer. Now I'm researching the P700 and some are reporting it has problems with paper feeding. So here we go.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Thank you, Robert! Very clever little book. I've looking for something like this. 🙂

 

[Darthfeeble]

Yes I feel you, I have read many horror stories on the internet about Epson printers. Many here use them though so it shouldn't be that bad no? My biggest concern is that I can't refill the cartridges of the modern Epson printers whereas I can do that with the Canon ones.
I would love to get back to darkroom but since I only shoot digitally it is not easy. For the longest time I had an idea of building a CNC printer that I can expose the photo paper from a digital image with high enough resolution. Maybe one day who knows.


FWIW, the X15000 has refillable cartridges. M, Y and C come in 70ml bottles and the black in a 127ml. I have yet to figure usage. I'm WRONG! I looked at the other printer we have. Sorry.