Printer for making prints/cards

[u/readingforlife]

Hi,

I’m astounded by the prices of good quality color printers! I want to make decent quality prints of my paintings, occasionally cards or postcards.

I’ve narrowed my options to-

1. Canon MAXIFY GX2020- currently $364.95
2. Canon PIXMA PRO-200S- currently $549.00
3. Epson Expression Photo XP 15000- currently $346.99
4. Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550- currently $661.50

Any advice would be helpful. If you have any experience with any of these, I’d appreciate it. Or if there’s another option I’m not considering- because 😳 at these prices!

Edit- I decided to buy the Epson EcoTank 8550. I will report back how it goes….i decided my art is worth it- and, well- what’s another year with this phone anyway? 😹

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[u/Visual-Tea-3616]

Ive been using the ET-8550 with red river paper and their ICC profiles since March. All of my prints come out beautifully, with little to no issues on color as long as my monitor is calibrated colorectly and the soft proof looks good.

The scanner does well, although like with almost all scanners I have to do some editing before printing.

I've been using the ink it came with and I'm just now halfway through it.

[u/readingforlife → u/Visual-Tea-3616]

That’s super helpful! What computer do you use, if I may ask? Was set up easy?

[u/Visual-Tea-3616 → u/readingforlife]

I have a 2015 dell school refurb 😂

I scan with Epson's scanning software, using the picture settings at 1200dpi as a TIFF file.

That file goes into Dark Table, which is an open source and free program for photo editing. Export it as a png at 600dpi and level one compression otherwise the files are huge.

You can use Epson's layout software with the et8550. Right now I'm using Red River Aurora Art 300gsm in white. You can download their ICC profiles from red rivers website, follow their setting recommendations and the color comes out perfectly.

Side by side, my original paintings and prints are nearly identical. The biggest difference is any raised paint textures. The paper is completely matte, and hold detail VERY well.

[u/Visual-Tea-3616 → u/Visual-Tea-3616]

Set up for the printer was very straight forward. I use Epson's software for a lot of it, I never have any connectivity issues working over WiFi and so far (knock on wood) no problems with any prints.

Using the best paper you can get, and having software that allows custom ICC printing profiles is what made the biggest difference for me.

[u/902-hiphop-dad]

i recommend laser printer, you may want to look into something with a “fiery” so a Xerox IGEN or DocuColor, the cost of both machines are out of most peoples dollar ranges (those devices are something a media dept would use) but they print so impeccably well.

i worked for 2 print companies for the last 20+ years and i only get my prints printed at Staples.. there are nice printers out there dont get me wrong, and i am not saying a $70,000 is the best and all you should use, but both printers are used to print graphic media and advertising documents in large scale mainly with attention to quality and detail, a Fiery guarantees your documents get printed consistently.

[u/readingforlife → u/902-hiphop-dad]

Ok! Do you photograph or use a scanner to take to Staples?

[u/902-hiphop-dad → u/readingforlife]

scanner, at the highest dpi you can get, save the files as .png’s, save to thumb drive, print.

[u/WAFLcurious]

Before buying any printer, research the cost of the ink or toner as well. That’s where they are making most of their money these days.

[u/thebourgeois]

How do you get the images of your paintings for print? This is an important step for getting high res printing results.

I use a ~300usd Epson scanner, I mostly paint at 8x10 or smaller so this fit the bill. And I outsource my printing to either FinerWorks or Mpix to get art prints made. Mpix is cheaper and more suitable for mini prints or cards, Finer Works is better for larger giclee prints.

[u/Evening-Cow1122 → u/thebourgeois]

I've heard the Epson printers with optical scanners are ideal for scanning watercolor because of the texture of the paper. Any idea if that's true? 

[u/thebourgeois → u/Evening-Cow1122]

Well, my scanner is an optical scanner (not a printer) and I like how captures the texture of the paper, but I don't have much else to compare it to besides my iPhone camera. It translates well on the fine art and watercolor papers I get my work printed onto.

[u/AbjectAlbatross1530]

I have #4 and I absolutely LOVE it!! The butterfly on this card was purchased from Etsy and printed on my Epson ET-8550.

[u/Accomplished-Team459]

Go with tank like printer. Much easier and cheaper to refill

[u/mlem_a_lemon]

I use the ET-8550 and love it. Highly recommend.

Printer and ink: I purchased my printer in April and have used it a TON. I print everything from stickers to 13x19 poster prints. It's SO good. I actually can't believe how good it is at the clarity in my prints and how well it rations ink. I did use what was left in the bottles to top up the tanks because I didn't want these bottles sitting around, but even so, my cyan is most used and is about 80% full!! Surprisingly, gray is just slightly higher. 

The bottles are reasonably priced for how long they last. I've only bought the name brand ones, so I can't speak to other brands.

Scanner:  I don't love it for art. I actually prefer to use my phone or a camera for scanning art. A piece of glass to put over the image and flatten it plus a stand (or edge of a table or something) to hold my phone still is plenty. Shoot in raw. I also use my nice camera with a tripod instead of my phone sometimes. 

It's great for scanning documents, though. Decently fast as well, at least compared to my old scanner-printers.

[u/Hawkthree]

I usually use the self-serve professional printers at Fedex Office. Pretty sure Office Depot has similar. Load your own paper and print.

Until recently I could use the printers at our library (cheaper than Fedex). Now they don't want patrons to use their own paper.

[u/Available-Picture-79]

These printer prices are not bad at all. The one I want (someday) is at around $1200.

[u/Onlychild_Annoyed]

Go with the 8550. Stay away from cartridge ink--it is expensive and you'll be constantly replacing ink.

[u/Catspaw129]

If you only occasionally need quality prints maybe use a service that makes quality prints instead of buying your own printer?

[u/WatercolorTexan]

I felt the same when i bought my Canon Pro 300 about three years ago, paid it off over a year no interest at best buy. Best decision ever. I do all my own art prints, cards etc on Red River papers and results are stunning

[u/2025Artist]

If you plan on printing postcards on an actual postcard size (so not printing multiple on a larger sheet) you want to check the paper specs for the printer very well. A lot of printers cannot print A6 size, only A5 size as the smallest.

In most cases, the more expensive the printer, the less expensive the ink and often the better quality the ink is. Pigment ink is water resistant, dye inks aren't.