Studio printer recommendation time
Alex (397 pencils) | Tue, 2012-07-10 15:17It's that time again when the ol' trusty printer clogs (for the last time) and stutters its final line down the page.
I usually work from my small, one-man, studio and am looking for a printer to handle everything from rough proofing to presentable artwork (and the occasional marketing piece). I'm more-or-less paperless, business-wise so don't need to print accounts, spreadsheets, etc.
Photo-quality printing is essential.
The ability to run archival quality inks/paper through it would be a very nice to have, though not an essential (I illustrate and find it unfeasible to run out very short runs commercially).
A3 would also be the ideal size, though a good A4 would do the job at a push.
Wireless printing is also a nice-to-have rather than an essential (it is a small studio).
The problem I'm finding is that the market seems saturated with 'all in one' models - which do three things badly rather than one thing well - and with slight variants of the same model.
I'm looking to find out which office/studio printers other people here use, and whether you'd recommend them. And any tips for finding the right one would be very handy!
Thanks for any advice, tips (or ink-price horror stories) you can give.
Commenting on this Forum topic will be automatically closed on September 4, 2012.
In my little one man studio I have the Epson Workforce 615 which was only $49 with my Apple computer purchase. It works fairly well, but I have yet to figure out how to get a "photo-quality" print from it. It prints photos very nice on photo paper - but it leaves rather annoying white hairlines throughout the image. I played with it for a couple days and couldn't figure out how to clear it up - then I just gave up. Color reproduction is not a high priority for me and I know people with top end equipment when I get in a fix anyway - so not worth the effort imho.
Most of my work - however - still goes thru my old black and white laserwriter - the Apple LW8500. The thing is a beast that simply won't die. Might be the best piece of equipment I've ever bought.
I use an Epson Workforce too -- I'm not noticing any "many-in-one" shortcomings, and it is wireless ready. I forget the model number of mine, but it's fairly low-end, IIRC. It's awfully nice; narturally, your paper selection will have a lot to do with the outcome. I bought it to replace an Epson Artisan 725, which was even better, frankly, but which didn't do so well wirelessly for me after upgrading to Lion. Never could get a driver to overcome the problem. Also, the Workforce has a slightly smaller footprint, which suited me fine. It was very cheap, even before the rebate. Got it at Staples. When I need something larger, or of better quality (though not Chromalin or Iris quality!), I just have the Staples print shop handle it.
Mara
Iris! OMG - please warn us if you plan on dredging up horrific memories!
I know right? Ugh.
Mara
Thanks for the responses - the Workforce seems to get good reviews all round. I think that, or something like it might be my best bet, and then work with local printers or copy shops for good and/or bulk requirements.
Thanks!