[svlug] fun with printers

[John Conover]

Akkana Peck writes:
> Bill Ward writes:
> > I do not understand why anyone would print photographs on an inkjet.
> > Water-based ink compared to a real photo printer at Walgreens or
> > Costco or wherever is no comparison.  I mean, if you print a photo you
> > want it to last a long time right?
> 
> The new(ish) pigment-based inks are supposed to last a lot longer.
> I've only been using them a couple of years, long enough to know
> that they're a lot more fade-resistant than the old dye-based inks,
> but not long enough to report on real longevity.
> 
> Certainly I agree that if you want something to put in a photo album
> to show your grandkids, an inkjet isn't the right solution.
> On the other hand, they're terrific for projects like
> - greeting cards customized for each recipient
> - quickie business cards
> - glossy club flyers, nametags and other handouts
> - one-off stickers (like a "Powered by Linux" sticker to put on
>   my laptop's lid)
> - other one-off specialty items like t-shirt transfers, mouse pads,
>   temporary tattoos (though admittedly most of those aren't great)
> - quickie prints to show something to non-techie friends who aren't
>   comfortable with email
> 
> Anyway, you get the idea -- there lots of fun, quickie projects
> that are easy if you have your own printer handy for testing, but
> a big hassle if you have to package it up and take it to a print
> shop and hope it comes out okay.
>

Oh, sure, Akkana. I think everyone agrees with that.

The new Epson paper, (ColorLife, or Photo Glossy,) with their inks
will last a long time-much longer than a projected/developed photo,
(like via the Internet to Walgreens, etc.,) without UV fading, (albeit
pricy-the premium longevity papers are about 2 bucks a page, plus
ink.)  Although not indelible, they are water resistant after about a
day, too.

But it is quite a bit cheaper-for photos-to http them to Walgreens,
etc., and then pick them up. (Its not a big deal if you don't print
many photos, but a buck savings each adds up to real change for a
camera bug.)

     John

-- 

John Conover, conover at rahul.net, http://www.johncon.com/