Printing photos

[AlexPilot]

Does anyone know a very good desktop printer that does excellent photo prints? Our PR manager wants to print the occasional high quality photo that has good colour. Our standard colour printers are not quite up to the job as they are more industrial with the colours.

[SteveBentley]

For occasional use it's almost always cheaper to just nip to Boots/Asda/Jessops/Max Spielman et al. Especially if it's so occasional that the ink cartridge has dried up in between uses

[soveryapt]

Depends on the size of print. I've used the Epson Stylus Photo machines (use an R300 at home, but that's an old model) and they do great prints, even with compatible cartridges!

If its something smaller, like actual photo sized, the HP Photo Printers are quite nice toys too, but seem expensive on inks and are a one trick pony, but do the one trick well.

Of course the other option, if they are just occassional prints, is to suggest a local photo print shop (Asda / Tesco etc have them in place generally now, as well as the likes of Jessops) as they can do reasonably priced prints ad hoc if you take it down on USB/CD/Flash Memory Cards/etc and don't cost too much, plus they do about the best job you could get done.

Personally I go for the last option when needing prints for PR purposes, that or I design the item and send it to a Print House. Did this for some leavers photos last year and the results we're really quite good, but then if they weren't I'd be a rubbish designer! lol ..

[plexer]

Colour photocopier?

Ben

[BatchFile]

Colour photocopier?

Ben

+1 for that - A3, full colour, looks the dogs

[AlexPilot]

For occasional use it's almost always cheaper to just nip to Boots/Asda/Jessops/Max Spielman et al. Especially if it's so occasional that the ink cartridge has dried up in between uses

Nearest town is 30 miles away, and that doesnt have anything more than a tesco express.

[plexer]

Nearest town is 30 miles away, and that doesnt have anything more than a tesco.

Ok but do they need to have the prints available instantly? with a bit of planning one of the online better print shops could do you a good deal I'm sure?

Ben

[SteveBentley]

with a bit of planning

Good luck with that

[soveryapt]

If you're wanting decent prints I'd avoid the suggestions about a colour copier unless you're going to spend shed loads on it ..

Yes, there are other perks, but even with a colour copier I had at an old job, I still purchased an inkjet for the final shots. Colour copiers are great for doing proofs on or posters, but I'm guessing your PR guy will be wanting that photo glossy finish, and unless you're getting print industry standard kit (£10k start up ish - plus install and the rest) I'd go for the inkjet (given local print shops are out) or forward planning (as suggested in the thread) and use of online printers such as Jessops.

[tom_newton]

photobox.co.uk
Just ordered 50ish 6x4s of various family weddings for me gran, cost me less than 8 quid, did it sunday night, and had the images in my mangled claws this morning.

[Jax]

You could always try Colab too they are great for the online stuff with good delivery speeds too. I used them for loads of wedding stuff and the quality was excellent.