Professional Printing

[hotdrive]

Hi all gurus,

Would like to seek suggestion to get a professional grade printer. Purpose of printer is for printing portraits. Printout to compile into albums.

Max size maybe A3 and budget from 6 to 10k

Thanks in advance :)

[Freaky]

Canon, Epson and HP make good photo printers... too many to choose from and every year they keep coming up with new models...

Anyway, the printer is only part of the solution. Paper quality, ink quality and ICC profiles, calibration of printer, screen and software will also affect final output of pics.

Plus, when you choose, also look into the cost of running the machine... I use an epson 7600 bought 3yrs+ ago but use the 9600 ink cartridges (they stick out a bit) but works out cheaper than getting the correct size, and 1 set of 7 colours cost me 2K++.

If you go for a larger printer ie. 24" rather than A3, you can use roll paper like me, which is much cheaper than buying packs of A3 sized photopaper...

I suggest you read up what these brands have to offer and then look at your needs. If you print alot, go for large format... If not, A3 printer will do.

[hotdrive]

Thanks Freaky for your input and suggestions. Yeah, I read that a lot of factor goes into the final output of pics and ICC profiles and printer calibration will be the next thing I'd like to get in depth with soon.

Just out of curiosity, how much did the epson 7600 cost you 3 yrs ago?
Do you have a good site to read up on ICC?

[Freaky]

no idea what site for calibration as i dun bother too much with that... I leave that for the pro's to do :D... so sorry can't help u with that...

anyhows, most large format printers have ICC profiles provided to you, (epson havev some for downloading also) that matches the inks with the types of paper you using, to get the best out of both.

Regarding cost... i dun remember... arun 13-14K, not sure... now much cheaper...:((

[qqmeng]

i am not sure how is this relevant to your question...but i hv ordered products from Photobook Malaysia (www.photobook.com.my (http://www.photobook.com.my)) and i was very impress with their product, not sure how they printed it tho. maybe you can try asking them or pay them a visit.

[hotdrive]

Thanks Freaky and qqmeng. I'm doing survey which model will suit my needs.

Cheers.

[astroboy]

I am doing a review of the Canon Pro 9000 printer now. So far, initial impressions are very good.

I will post up the review here later when I have time. Meanwhile u can also get a copy of S&P mag June issue to read my review.

[sufian]

I am doing a review of the Canon Pro 9000 printer now. So far, initial impressions are very good.

I will post up the review here later when I have time. Meanwhile u can also get a copy of S&P mag June issue to read my review.

I've got this printer. It's very good, but the main problem is canon is very reluctant to bring in the papers to take advantage of it.

[astroboy]

Sri Computers (2nd flr) Low Yat Plaza sells the Canon A3 Photo paper at RM45 per box of 20pcs.

But if u r referring to the other specialised paper, u may find them in S'pore or order online. Canon recently bought over Hannemuhle (spelling rite?) paper so they shld be more choices now.

I am hoping there will be a double-sided A3 photo paper soon so that I can do photo-books. :)

I've got this printer. It's very good, but the main problem is canon is very reluctant to bring in the papers to take advantage of it.

[sufian]

Sri Computers (2nd flr) Low Yat Plaza sells the Canon A3 Photo paper at RM45 per box of 20pcs.

But if u r referring to the other specialised paper, u may find them in S'pore or order online. Canon recently bought over Hannemuhle (spelling rite?) paper so they shld be more choices now.

I am hoping there will be a double-sided A3 photo paper soon so that I can do photo-books. :)

Canon bought over Hahnemühle? I thought it's just a JV thing. Yeah, I'm looking for their range of art paper; they've got 4 or 5 currently, but can't find any in KL.

I bought my pro9000 at Sri Computers. Seems like they're the only one stocking the printer (aside from Canon store)

[astroboy]

The printer costs only SGD850 w/free Spyder colour calibrator worth SGD199 in S'pore. How much u bought yrs for?


Canon bought over Hahnemühle? I thought it's just a JV thing. Yeah, I'm looking for their range of art paper; they've got 4 or 5 currently, but can't find any in KL.

I bought my pro9000 at Sri Computers. Seems like they're the only one stocking the printer (aside from Canon store)

[sufian]

Yours is probably cheaper. I got mine for RM2400, and I need to get a separate colour calibration software (I'm getting Eye One Display)