I'm looking at getting a Printer for making mock ups, wondering if any of you have used one that you love, and gives you hardly any problems. my price range would be under $800 and would like something that could print a little larger then standard size paper...
thanks in advanced!
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I love all of HP's printers, especially this one:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/printers/inkjets_office/1/storefronts/C8157A%2523A2L
It's $299 and doesn't do 11x17 (goes up to 8.5 x 14) but I can use it with my PC and Mac with no hassles. Just the occasional ink cartridge change.
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Powerpoint is not a design application.
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Dirt and Rust
I'm an HP fan also, they have a good selection of stuff, a good way to save money is to buy a refurbished model, that's what i almost always do when it comes to printers, they're just as new, most of the time it's just a box that was opened and returned and they had to call it a refurb...
with that said, i've used canon and xerox's in the past. wasn't sold on either too too much, both seemed to have hard times handling blue's for some reason. as for lexmark and the others, nothing of theirs has ever really impressed me enough to even try them.
best of luck finding something that fits your needs :D
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Architectural Technician - Multimedia Designer
www.ArchMedia.us
I will give HP a closer look! I've always had good feelings about them as well.. thanks guys!
Like you, I wanted large format capacity. It prints up to 18 x 20 flat sheets, or "banner" size from a roll. In the two years I've had it, I've gotten maybe 5 decent prints out of it and have had to replace all 7 ink cartridges at least once, some of them twice. I forget what I paid for it, but it was a lot. HUGE mistake.
Mara
I've always hated Epson because of their buggy software/drivers. Ever tried to stop an Epson print job? Argh. :)
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Powerpoint is not a design application.
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Dirt and Rust
...I wish I'd realized earlier that the model was just a lemon. I understand Epson admitted as much and replaced a lot of them with something better -- "better" being relative, of course -- about a year after I plunked down whatever I paid for mine. It's actually been behaving better lately, so maybe a better driver downloaded for me in the background when I wasn't looking. It's the absolutely worst professional equipment purchase I ever made.
What do you use?
Mara
Canon or HP.
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Powerpoint is not a design application.
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Dirt and Rust
it's all in one, but it does a great job for my needs. I used to have a different one that was a bit better and did large format prints, but I've cut back big time on printing. None the less, I print off my fiancées headshots and Zed-Cards (comp cards) all the time and they look GREAT!
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Architectural Technician - Multimedia Designer
www.ArchMedia.us
I have the Epson 2200 as well. It's not bad, but I wouldn't buy it again (I paid $700). It's rather moody in how well it prints and it says you're out of ink before you really are (there was a class action lawsuit against Epson for this). It also doesn't work with CS2 so I have to keep Photoshop CS installed. Yeah, ok, it really isn't a good printer with all these problems, but I've learned how to trick it into working for me! Once you can manipulate it, it does print very clear, bright photos, but is it worth you time?
I had a friend in design school who had the printer that was one level below the 2200 and it was great. He loved it and it created bright, beautiful prints. I don't remember the model number tho :/ I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to research.
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The Blog: Creative Curio
The Portfolio: LaurenMarie.net
Hey man, I've worked with the old version of the Pro9000 printer when it only had 6 colors (C, M, Y, K, PhC, PhM). This new one has 8, they've added Red and Green to make those two colors pop out a bit more.
I thought it would be very hard to improve on the old 6 ink version, but they must have when they warranted bringing two new inks into the mix. I couldn't imagine the quality of those prints.
Another thing to think about when printing proofs is your type of paper. I've used Ilford papers before in that Canon printer (then called the i9900 if memory serves), and they came out nearly flawless. Good papers are a bit pricier, but the quality of print shows. We were using the Ilfords for photos, and they looked like they were right from the developer.
I won't buy any other brand of printer myself...I've had such great results with Canons. Considering this PIXMA Pro9000 is only 499USD, you've got some spare change to pick up some really nice paper. Or you could step it up a notch to the PIXMA Pro9500 for 850USD...which uses the professional grade Canon Lucia Ink that you'll find in the pro graphic arts large scale printers.
Hah, talking about this has made me want one even more...soon, Jess, soon.
Good luck on your hunt.
I hate hp, with a passion (but who doesn't hate something, right?)
I use the Epson 2200. It has been replaced with newer models, but i love it. It does 13 x 19 paper, rolls, cutting - you name it. The colors are fantastic and the clarity is amazing.
life is great; without it, you'd be dead.
I used to do all my greyscale proofs on an Apple Laserwriter 8500 that I only sold last month and the rest I just sent to one of my multiple company print departments and billed it to my expense account. ;o)
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