Printer/Image Questions

[Shadowman]

I just printed my first large image 20"x30" and was impressed with the results. The image is a gift for a friend and a test of my camera's (Nikon D5200) capabilities. First off, printed at Walgreen's pharmacy, cost $35.00, uploaded full res. Went looking for a frame and most available were either too large or too small for this format. I purchased a 24"x36" frame and mounting board.

Questions:
1. For those who sell or print large formats, what's the typical size?
2. Printer question: would there be any benefit to purchasing an A2 capable printer even if my average sized image would only be A3, and the A3 size might only be utilized three or four times a year?
3. Epson Imaging devices versus Creative Pro, any opinions not based on price?

I currently have an hp 7660, max output size 8.5" x11.0", printer is about eight years old, still meets my purposes so in no hurry to upgrade, however knobs and dials are starting to fall off.

[royphot]

If you are only going to print A3 size three or four times a year, it would not be worthwhile buying even an A3+ printer, never mind anything bigger. The cheapest of the A3+ Photo printers are in the region of 5 times the price of the average A4 Photo printers. Media and Inks are also much more expensive.

Here in the UK, a reasonable A3+ printer will be around £350, and it is quite possible to get a quality A3 Print from a lab for around £3.

It does not make economic sense to do it yourself, but if printing a lot then speed and control of output can be factored in, and that can make the cold economics look less important.

Roy

[Shadowman]

If you are only going to print A3 size three or four times a year, it would not be worthwhile buying even an A3+ printer, never mind anything bigger. The cheapest of the A3+ Photo printers are in the region of 5 times the price of the average A4 Photo printers. Media and Inks are also much more expensive.

Here in the UK, a reasonable A3+ printer will be around £350, and it is quite possible to get a quality A3 Print from a lab for around £3.

It does not make economic sense to do it yourself, but if printing a lot then speed and control of output can be factored in, and that can make the cold economics look less important.

Roy

Roy,

Thanks for the comments.

[Ady]

Hi John,

Print Sizes: the common sizes I offer prints at are: 20"x30", 30"x40", 30"x45", 40"x60". The primary reason is that those are the common sizes offered by the printers that I use, though I have produced work from 2"x2" up to 4'x16'

I get a custom frame and mount/mat for most work. I do explain very carefully to clients who want a 30"x40" or larger that it's going to get very expensive to mount and frame. My preferred framing is to mount the print onto white mount board, leave a gap of 1/2" to 1" between the print and the inside edge of an off white/cream mat with 4" to the inside edge of the frame, though for a big print 6" or even 8" can look much nicer.

Printer: Unless you are producing a significant quantity of large prints or have requirements for very rapid turn around or odd sizes it's generally more cost effective (and less stressful) to stick with a commercial printer that you can develop a relationship with. I have a 13" printer (A3+ for cut sheet media) that I use for producing proofs and concept work. I seriously considered buying a 44" printer (HP DesignJet Z3200ps) after spending a bit of time with one but the economics just didn't work unless I was going to start producing prints for other people, and that's a load of hassle I can do without. As a result I send all of my regular print work out to a couple of print shops. I use PhotoBox for generic prints (one of the biggest European photographic print companies) and a local specialist for the more exacting or unusual work.

I'm afraid I can't offer any opinions regarding Epson or any other print manufacturer as my personal experience has been with Kodak for dye-sub (in the old days) and HP for inkjet.

HTH.
Cheers,
Ady

[DanK]

John,

I have a printer that goes only to 13 x 19 and will have to send out for anything bigger, although up to the present, I have gone larger only for metal prints.

This is a digression, but if you are going to buy large prints, you can get them done by a professional lab for a similar price, delivered straight to your door. I use Bay Photo for the things I don't print myself and have been consistently pleased with their products and service. Their price for a 20x30 with color correction is $39 on luster paper. It is $25 for their economy (no color correction) service. I have always used the economy service, since I have a color-managed workflow, and the colors have been spot on.

Dan

[Shadowman]

Hi John,

Print Sizes: the common sizes I offer prints at are: 20"x30", 30"x40", 30"x45", 40"x60". The primary reason is that those are the common sizes offered by the printers that I use, though I have produced work from 2"x2" up to 4'x16'

I get a custom frame and mount/mat for most work. I do explain very carefully to clients who want a 30"x40" or larger that it's going to get very expensive to mount and frame. My preferred framing is to mount the print onto white mount board, leave a gap of 1/2" to 1" between the print and the inside edge of an off white/cream mat with 4" to the inside edge of the frame, though for a big print 6" or even 8" can look much nicer.

Printer: Unless you are producing a significant quantity of large prints or have requirements for very rapid turn around or odd sizes it's generally more cost effective (and less stressful) to stick with a commercial printer that you can develop a relationship with. I have a 13" printer (A3+ for cut sheet media) that I use for producing proofs and concept work. I seriously considered buying a 44" printer (HP DesignJet Z3200ps) after spending a bit of time with one but the economics just didn't work unless I was going to start producing prints for other people, and that's a load of hassle I can do without. As a result I send all of my regular print work out to a couple of print shops. I use PhotoBox for generic prints (one of the biggest European photographic print companies) and a local specialist for the more exacting or unusual work.

I'm afraid I can't offer any opinions regarding Epson or any other print manufacturer as my personal experience has been with Kodak for dye-sub (in the old days) and HP for inkjet.

HTH.
Cheers,
Ady

Thanks for the comments Ady. I will be doing my one mounting for this image, back log until January at local art shop. I too will be using a white mounting board and although the task can be tedious, I've done it enough times for small prints to manage.

Regarding the printer, I know I'll have to replace my current soon, just doing some prelim research ahead of time. With cost of ink being the biggest deterrent, why not look into a refill system? I wouldn't do it until the warranty ran out though.

[Shadowman]

John,

I have a printer that goes only to 13 x 19 and will have to send out for anything bigger, although up to the present, I have gone larger only for metal prints.

This is a digression, but if you are going to buy large prints, you can get them done by a professional lab for a similar price, delivered straight to your door. I use Bay Photo for the things I don't print myself and have been consistently pleased with their products and service. Their price for a 20x30 with color correction is $39 on luster paper. It is $25 for their economy (no color correction) service. I have always used the economy service, since I have a color-managed workflow, and the colors have been spot on.

Dan

Hi Dan,

WNY is U.S., the pharmacy is half a block away and was used as a test. I have a local camera shop about two miles away that could do the same job for about $5.00 cheaper. I would do future jobs at at that outlet, unless I can find a reliable source elsewhere, as the pharmacy only offered two surfaces. Thanks for the feedback.