The best printer for your fine art prints and photos - what marketing can't tell you

Keith is regularly asked about the 'best' printer.
The problem is it depends on what you want, you need and can afford...
Yes, in general, more expensive and more inks make for a better printer.
The real problem is that as printers get better, there are many other factors come in to play.
Much like cameras, just buying a better printer will likely not help your printing unless you know how to get the best out of what the new one can do.
How many inks for you need? - see Keith's recent look at the subject
• How many inks do you r...
Looking for a bigger printer? see:
• So, you want a large p...

[@sl2608]

Again, a big, brilliant dose of REALITY. Thank you, Keith. So refreshing. "What's the best printer? The one you know how to use properly." And . . . "It actually means you can get perfectly good results out of cheaper printers." SO TRUE. Keith, I started getting serious about photography, out of sheer love for it, about 50 years ago when I got my first 35mm SLR camera and learned black & white film (Zone System, how to properly expose when shooting, darkroom printing, then Cibachrome, etc.) Then 20 years ago I learned to use a DSLR and learned even more about shooting, editing. More recently I began to learn about and do some color printing. And I keep learning and learning. Which is why I love your discussions and sound advice. When I decided to "try" printing at home, I didn't invest a fortune. I got a Canon iP8720 and I applied all the years of photography and editing skills I had to the process. Many photographer friends kept telling me, "You really need a better printer, you really need a pigment printer if you're serious and you want good prints -- or you at LEAST need a Canon PRO 200." They laughed when I said the 8720 was a dedicated photo printer and bashed it even more calling it an "office copier/printer". Ummm, no, it doesn't "copy" or "scan" and is not an "office printer." I began to think perhaps I'd made a mistake and should have invested in the more "pro" models. Then I saw some reviews on KZbin and elsewhere, of professional photographers churning out beautiful images with the 8720. And I was turning out very good images myself with the printer. In fact, I told a Canon rep, I couldn't be more pleased with what I'm getting from the 8720 and can't imagine getting anything better from a Pro 200. So you are very right in saying that taking the time to learn and develop the skills required to make good prints (and good photos) is far more important than going out and purchasing "the best printer". Really enjoyed this video. Love your "rants"!

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - I appreciate your taking time to make this comment! This was one of the reasons I reviewed the little Canon G500 - a bit of a challenge to apply my skills to ;-)

[@jeffreyb.1657]

I am goint this way now as a trial...one cannot argue with the lower costs all around - and will focus on my skills to make it work well. To this replier, thank you. Nice to learn about this...was looking at way more costly options with chips and all sorts of issues....this will let me buy good paper and have funds in the bank. Again, thank you.

[@fred5968]

This was another interesting video, Kieth. Your wisdom and willingness to tell it like it is, is appreciated. I also commend you on the amazingly thorough reviews you offer on your web page. Thank you!

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks for that - maybe I won't take up selling printers ;-)

[@Belchdragon]

I love this video. You highlight the exact subjects that needs to addressed before youeven start sending images to a printer let alone printing yourself.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks!

[@dalelewis62]

Keith, Thank you, again you hit the nail on the head. You can be a hack, photographer, image editor & print maker and it won’t be too surprising that your printed images don’t shine. I try to approach each of the three areas as a separate skill set and devote time every week to improving each a little bit. Having all three aligned perfectly on an image for me only happens a handful of times every year. I print with two old printers, the Epson 3800 setup with Matte ink and the Epson 4880 for Photo Black. When I “nail it” both printers will still give outstanding results.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - both those two printers are still very good, I've detailed reviews of both in the past (long before I started my videos)

[@johnlewis4398]

Points well made. To a degree, it's not what you've got, it's what you do with it. Also, be careful what you wish for! Have to say that your videos are very helpful and inspirational. Can't beat common sense!

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks!

[@vmax9167]

This apply and relate to everything we do. Ensure you get to that level first that you can really utilise the best, understand that you need better & then go for it. Thank you for the video

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks!

[@RasTuft]

Another great video! Thanks Keith.

[@KeithCooper]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@animedreammachine7123]

I love my Canon Pixma Pro 200. Pro luster paper prints great, I use a calibration monitor too. Fine art and photography is what I print mainly, 19in by 13 in

[@KeithCooper]

Yes - it's currently the best dye based printer I've tested

[@raulslorencis158]

The best advice! Thanks! 😉👍

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - glad it was of interest!

[@black-and-light]

Great Real-Talk. That’s how it is. Thank you

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - glad it was of interest

[@765934]

Excellent advice.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks

[@pmcbMadeInIreland]

Wise words, thank you.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks!

[@dunnymonster]

People often think the solution to any problem is to throw money at it and assume it will fix itself. Money no object and all things being equal ( which they never are ) often proves that the more you pay the better you get. This assumes that you know what you are doing in the first place. Selling my Honda Civic and purchasing a Formula 1 race car won't make me into an amazing driver! 😋 Even with the very best knowledge and unlimited budget the issue of diminishing returns comes to play too. Some state they can hear the improvement a £100,000 Hi Fi can make over a more modest set up, but can you?. Most folk these days believe cellphones take pictures as good as any professional. I personally don't subscribe to that but ultimately it doesn't matter what I believe, it changes nothing regards the perception others have. There are simply too many variables and subjective opinions to state categorically that anything is really the best at anything ☺️

[@KeithCooper]

Exactly. One of the reasons I point to improvements in usability of newer printers is that they make it a bit easier to gain the expertise, but that doesn't change the need for some expertise... I'm always happy to help people who want to know more, it's the ones who insist they shouldn't need to think about such stuff who I have more difficulty with - they are the ones who I suggest buy in the expertise, but then they want it for nothing ;-)

[@LaurieEMiller]

What an excellent point, that you need the skill level it takes to get the most out of whatever printer you have. What I know is tea, and relative beginners get obsessed with getting the ultimate teapots that will give them the results that actual Tea Masters get, because they don't understand it's the knowledge and skill that does it. There's no point in handing a beginner a specialized pot because they haven't got the skills to access the attributes that it can bring.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - that's the bit often missed ;-)

[@jbairdexp]

You're absolutely right. Again. 🙂 👍

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks

[@bwitek]

Thank You Keith! As always on point! Have you ever considered an instructional video for beginners - from bringing the good printer home through assembly, connection, callibration, paper choice/papper profiling, proofing - to producing a good quality prints?

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks and thanks for the suggestion, but I'm afraid I tend to dislike 'instructional' style videos - The problem is that making anything sufficiently detailed to be useful makes it very specific and limits the audience. So for example, I don't have a windows pc in the house - which rules out a lot of potential viewers. Then, I dislike Lightroom, which rules out some perfectly good software some would like to use... I'm afraid my emphasis is always on principles and showing 'why', not 'how' other than in relatively general terms.

[@bwitek]

@@KeithCooper Thank You Keith for your speedy reply and explanation. I understand.

[@chico11mbit]

Epson SC-P9500 with EFI Fiery XF 7.3 . No discussions. And you are right. Without a skilled operator and skilled prepared files, every printer is a bad printer. I see this every day in my fineArt printshop.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - I'm always wary when someone includes the word 'just' in any enquiry... ;-)

[@AZJack]

Thanks for all of your help, Keith. Just received my et-8550, very happy and satisfied with it. Question, shouldI try to avoid borderless printing? I don’t mind adding a 50 pixel stroke if it would keep the printer happy.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - it's something I'd personally keep for occasional use - I do have a video about the cleaning.

[@parey555]

Looking at buying my first printer. You are the print thanos I see lol. I subbed I’m sure I’m about to learn a lot . Thank you

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - if you don't know it, there is a full categorised index of my videos is at www.northlight-images.co.uk/keith-cooper-photography-videos-index/

[@parey555]

@@KeithCooper much appreciated sir

[@ddsdss256]

My recent purchase of an Epson P900 was based in part on your recommendations, and I've been quite happy with it so far (helped I'm sure by your great advice). It pairs quite well with my Benq PD3200U, which is factory calibrated and what I see on the screen is generally very close to the print (depending on lighting of course, and following processing with a DxO-based workflow). That hardware combination is well under US$2,000 and can produce beautiful, museum-quality, archival prints--IF, as you point out, you put in the work. There is of course a learning curve (as there will always be with any hardware or software) and that curve never truly ends. Thanks again for helping anyone savvy enough to watch your channel (and check out your website) to up their game! As you've probably pointed out, doing your own printing will definitely improve your photographic skills (in the field as well as on-screen) as you become much more aware of the "minor" details that make the difference between an "OK" image and a transcendent one. It starts with previsualization and ends with displaying the print (point/shoot/post does not a photograph make). It's also a great feeling when you see that print emerge!

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - glad to have contributed to the process!

[@willherondale6367]

Point/shoot/post does indeed a photograph make. Just because its displayed on a screen using pixels rather than a paper using pigments, the photograph remains the same quality, with similar power to affect people.

[@ddsdss256]

@@willherondale6367 In most cases, only in theory. As Ansel once said, "I believe there is nothing more disturbing than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept!" and there are of course many images that are technically "substandard" yet powerful. However, there's a world of difference between viewing a snapshot on a phone--especially if the shot was also taken on a phone--and seeing an image of the same scene well-shot on a dedicated camera, processed, and printed. For somer images, It is in fact critical to get things "just right" or they just don't work nearly as well (or maybe at all). It's a lot like cooking--comparing box mac and cheese to the real thing--not even close! Phones have their uses (to a fault), but using them to capture or view images is not among their strengths (better than nothing if you don't have a real camera). Ask Keith about projected vs printed images. Some of my Instagram images look "off" on some phones--Instagram "dumbs them down" and every screen on every device is different, so you can't control things like HSL and contrast--there's a reason we spend a lot of time and money to post-process and print--it enables us to produce better results. "Good enough" simply is not always good enough!

[@rangersmith4652]

I'm looking for a printer to make my own 11x17" (essentially A3) prints, mostly black and white, for decorating my home office and home pub, but I'm a complete noob to the task. This is helpful.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - glad to help

[@photogol]

Thanks for your useful video. Is there an important difference in quality between the results of dye based and pigment based inkjet printers that you could discuss about?

[@KeithCooper]

This? kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5vak5J8e6ykmqc

[@tundrusphoto4312]

Thank you for this video. Printing is a highly technical process which makes it impractical to own a printer unless the volume of prints justifies the outlay. Having watched many of the KZbin videos by Jose Rodriguez, it become apparent that understanding the mechanical aspects of a printer (ink consumption, printer cleaning, replacement of parts, etc.) is also crucial. Given the overall complexity, it seems the best option for someone who only prints occasionally is to find a local fine art print shop and develop a relationship with the staff. This will help you get the best results. The cost may be higher, but as one of the fine art print shops in my area advertises, "its cheaper than disappointment".

[@KeithCooper]

Ah, printing 'can' be highly technical, but IMHO doesn't have to be. Similarly - ink consumption, 'cleaning and replacement of parts' are to my mind relatively minor aspects of owning a printer. - well perhaps, if you really are trying to do things 'on the cheap'. I'm inclined to think it's not as bad as you suggest. There is so much to be gained from learning to print, that I know many regard it as a cost worth paying for the benefits it brings all their photography. But it is a cost... Now that cost needs to be considered for anyone, but to my mind, offloading printing to a third party is not a way I'd usually suggest. However, people do need to consider what works for them...

[@gosman949]

Nonsense Tundra! I love printing and like Keith says below, not as hard as you may think. And Jose is not the best guru to be following as he uses off brand inks and is stumped by the new Epson printers.

[@tundrusphoto4312]

@@KeithCooper I don't disagree with the learning aspect.. However, the cost of the printer, ink, paper, and your time, are personal decisions to be weighed. My prints - when I make them - are too large for me to buy a printer. The return on the investment won't make it worth while. I've come to rely on a local printer.

[@tundrusphoto4312]

@@gosman949 There are videos from Jose that speak to the need to use a printer regularly and to consider various factors in the cost/benefit ratio. I know that he is currently interested in non-manufacturer inks and modifying the printer to use these. But he still has some interesting points about the machines themselves and that's why I watch his videos on occasion.

[@KeithCooper]

That's fair enough - all I ever hope is that people actually give the process some thought as to what is relevant to them...

[@hansholck5982]

Hi Keith. Thanks for the great videos :D I started out with an used Canon Pixma Pro-200, and was deeply impresed by the ease of use af quality once I firgured out to turn off the compensations-options in the driver, as I thought everything would be fine, as long as I used ICC-profiles :) Then a got a GREAT offer of an Canon Imageprograf 1000 (actually cheaper than my Pro-200)... I have found that Ilford Smooth Pearl is, in my eyes, a great paper when I comes down to value. I thinking of trying Hahnemühles Photo Pearl, as I this cheeper in rolls for panorams pictures. But I have caught my self thinking - What about the "baryta" papers? Again a great thanks to you for the videoes - "Start with OEM paper", print test-images for reference, use ICC-profiles to other paper... But I'm still asking my self - "I'm I doing it right"? Could I get even better prints? So could you do a series with tips on editing for printing and so forth :)

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks I will be doing some more edit related videos with the P5000 and some new [innova] papers I've got to test. I have one later today about my choices for monitor setup...

[@guysingleton3908]

Love your videos, very informative. Could I ask your opinion on the following please. We use our printer for craftwork, tags invites etc on 300gsm card. At present we have an ET2750 that has done the job but we have never liked the colour, it is never vibrant and colour matching is terrible. We are looking to purchase either a ET8500 or Cannon G6050, which would you consider to be best suited for this line of printing ie colour accuracy and able to handle the media. Thank you in advance.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks Colour accuracy in this respect is about colour management and media choice I suspect your current printer would be just fine in a colour managed workflow and with a suitable card specifically coated for aqueous inkjet use See, for example, my WF-8680 review (it has links to all related videos) www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-wf-c8690-printer-review/ Without fixing this, I'm minded to suggest any new printer is likely to disappoint...

[@Barbifam]

Thanks!

[@KeithCooper]

Thank you!

[@davidbrighten2572]

What is the best KZbin Channel about printers and printing? Top 3: Keith Cooper, Keith Cooper and Keith Cooper.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - I'll take that ;-)

[@ashstubbings2603]

Thanks Keith. You can always be relied on for your honesty. In fact, "What is the best printer?" is a pretty ambiguous question to be honest. How long is a piece of string? Ok, right.. I'm going to ask you a much simpler question. I want to start printing my own images. I'm a complete beginner as regards printing, and I have a pretty low budget of about £500. I can't see me wanting to print anything larger than A3.. What is the best printer? 😂😂

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks Unfortunately, I have a near 20 year policy of never answering that question... First up, I don't track prices ;-) One thing I would say is that there are no higher quality A4 printers - you need to look at A3+ or 13" The Canon PRO-200 is currently the best dye based printer I've looked at

[@ashstubbings2603]

@@KeithCooper Thank you for answering.

[@jondonnelly4831]

Low budget means low running costs, so that means epson ecotank or similar. You are gonna make a lot of mistakes while learning.

[@eoslove2022]

Right on! Good results on any printer means you must commit to learning how to manage all the variables. How many of us want to put in the time? Asking experts: “What is the best printer” indicates you have not put in the time.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - my default 'best I've tested' response is currently the P7500 and note that's because they didn't include price or size in the specifications ;-)

[@dcarbs2979]

It's much the same in music too. You can buy something for a thousand times the price of a different model that does the same thing (samplers, compressors, microphonesetc) - if you don't know how to get the best out of it, the cheaper model may get you better results if you know how to use it.

[@KeithCooper]

Very true...

[@1stWorldProblemsSolved]

Would love to see videos on the P20000.

[@KeithCooper]

Not happening I'm afraid - this is my actual [written] P20000 review: www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-sc-p20000-printer-review/

[@stans6582]

Oh, Keith I think that question along with what is the best anything, should be avoided at all costs.People that asked that don't want spend the time/effort to reseach and find out themselves,and whatever your answer is you will upset half the people....... thanks as alway I appreciate your time and patience........take care

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks for appreciating that ;-) Of course it's also what some who sell printers would like to tell people, but then again they want to sell printers ;-)

[@marysianash1596]

Very informative keith as are al your articles and videos. Quick question - I'm having to replace my Epson P600 - choice is down to Canon 200 & 300. I print black &white and more muted colours, mostly on matt papers (usually Hahnemulle Fine Art). I appreciate all you've said about experimentation with different papers, calibration etc etc so there is no absolute answer, but from what I've read and seen on your website I'm guessing there's not much between the 200 & 300 and 200 might even give me deeper blacks on the matt paper, but if I wanted to use baryta more I might be better off with 300. Is that a fair generalisation in a much as you can generalise?? Regards. David

[@KeithCooper]

Yes, the baryta is definitely a weaker area for the 200. However the 'deeper blacks' are a fairly minor aspect I'd say. The PRO-200 needs good profiles for B&W, whilst the PRO-300 B&W print mode works well with minor adjustments. If I had both on my desk... I'd use the PRO-300 for B&W BTW, for anyone else reading this, I have two specialist articles about B&W on the 200 and 300 www.northlight-images.co.uk/black-and-white-printing-with-the-pro-200/ www.northlight-images.co.uk/black-and-white-printing-with-the-pro-300/

[@marysianash1596]

Keith - thanks Keith for such a quick reply and helpful info. I have a 200 on order from Wex but not too late to exchange for a 300 wex have here in edinburgh.....

[@KeithCooper]

Excellent - if you need any of the profiles for papers mentioned in the [written] review, just email me.

[@borderlands6606]

My output is photobooks, produced by one of the online print-on-demand companies. While the product isn't Steidl finest duotone standard, they are very good and excellent value, especially with rolling price promotions such businesses offer. What is noticeable, is the colours are always accurate to the file on screen. It's a standard resolution 19" screen, uncalibrated, and across a range of camera brands and formats, colour print rendition is virtually perfect. I assume this is because the print house (I suspect multiple European firms use the same factory in the Netherlands) has state of the art industrial machines capable of reproducing what we send them. The devil is in the detail, as ever, but when I see the lengths people go to get a decent print, it's curious that commercial printing companies manage colour accuracy repeatedly. I purchase 39 x 29 cm books, which might not look big on a wall but is large in a hardbound book.

[@KeithCooper]

Ah, colour management (and QA/process control) in commercial press is vastly more sophisticated, precise and complex than what most people ever come across in home printing (or even most working photographers for that matter). There is a lot of work goes into dealing with the vagaries of what they get sent ;-) For my own work, I've always thought of a colour managed workflow being about getting things right first time more often, not some notion of 'correct' ;-) That said - good colour accuracy from an uncalibrated monitor is good luck, nothing to do with the process at the printers ;-)

[@AudiobookLibrary24-7]

You're not wrong.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks

[@7pulkit]

@Keith well this is a very cogent way to answer,how ever need little advice for my particular situation, i have been using a hp inkjet for photos, now want to upgrade. My budget is around 1000-1200$ weight and size is not an issue as it will be in office. Want to print images, black and white and colour documents a4 and a3 sizes on normal printer paper, and want to try different paper for images. Want to keep the cost of per print down and documents are printed on daily basis but images will be printed say 1-2 per 1 or 2 week. Can you suggest me any good options Thank you :)

[@KeithCooper]

Not really - I don't keep track of prices and never look at document printing capabilities, beyond confirming they exist ;-) I would imagine on of the larger ink-tank style printers would serve you well - but remember that I look at printers almost entirely from an art/photo printing POV

[@Cammboz]

Hi Keith, I’ve been running an HP 9180 for many years now but the time has come to replace it. Pondering the Canon Pro 300 but I’m not in a rush and wondering if you know about any new version of this printer planned by Canon which I would be happy to wait for. Thanks for your great videos.

[@KeithCooper]

Look at how long printers take between model iterations - these are not mobile phones! I might expect a pro-300 replacement in 4-5 years...

[@Cammboz]

@@KeithCooper thanks Keith, appreciated

[@robertjwilliams3532]

On and on these videos go. I like most of them. However, the more I watch the more confused I become! Here is my question - - I need to print up to 11"X17" on good quality paper for mostly B&W (graphite) drawings. Would like for the printer to have a good scanner. Will print color work only now and then. What printer is best for this job?

[@KeithCooper]

Great printers do not have scanners - scanners are a home office/consumer feature... The one possible exception to this is th ET-855 see all the info (and videos) in my main [written] review at www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/

[@tommypaterson]

Sorry for being a pest, could you recommend an A3 printer for mostly B=W photos, how much should I expect to spend to get good results, thanks keep up the good work.

[@KeithCooper]

No idea about costs, but my minimum would be a Canon PRO-300 or perhaps the Epson ET-8550 BUT see the B&W sections of the [main written] reviews for details It all depends on your definition of 'good results' ;-) Cheap printers don't do B&W very well www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/ www.northlight-images.co.uk/canon-pro-300-printer-review/ www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-sc-p700-printer-review/

[@rbdriftin]

Recognised Leicester straight away.

[@KeithCooper]

Indeed - one of my 'signature' images ;-)

[@brett_ghost]

Hello Keith. I'm an illustrator/cartoonist that is looking into getting a printer but I feel very lost in all the options. I'd like to begin selling both colour and black & white prints of my artwork which are usually around 11 by 14 inches. I'd like the option of printing both smaller and larger (possibly posters), and my budget would be for a mid to high priced printer. I'd also like it to be able to use paper for stickers, pins/buttons, cardstock and thicker papers. Also one that is relatively fast at printing, has a good amount of ink colours, and where the inks wouldn't cost a huge amount. I already have a scanner so I wouldn't need a scanner as part of the printer. Are there a few printers you could suggest I look at?

[@KeithCooper]

You have quite a range of requirements... that and 'mid to high' actually says nothing about real budget... or print volumes ;-) Stickers/card stock are all dependent on getting suitable media for the inks - not a trivial matter. Larger printers don't like small paper, so you will need to take care of cutting All I can suggest is to look at the reviews of printers I've done and get a better idea of what you want. Start with the P5300 www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-sc-p5300-printer-review/ Then decide if it is too much or not enough... Then see my other reviews here www.northlight-images.co.uk/photography-articles-and-reviews/printing-paper-reviews-articles/

[@shawnieleaf2277]

I get that this sets you off on a rant, but what’s implicit in the question is the context. What is the best printer for someone who is transitioning from hobbyist to paraprofessional? What’s the best printer for someone that wants it in their home and has 2-3k? What’s the best printer for someone starting a printing business.

[@KeithCooper]

Ah 'paraprofessional' - that's an entirely new one on me :-) There is no such thing as 'best' - as I believe I point out several times in the video! Far far more info is needed to even make a short-list... The important things to know in this instance are about the business. Technical aspects of the printer are well down the list in this process.

[@LynTreloar]

Hi Keith, I ‘was’ keen on using giclee paper on the A3 epson Eco-Tank ET-7750 However, it only scans to A4. I am also a digital artist as well as painter. Any recommendations

[@LynTreloar]

For approx $1,000

[@KeithCooper]

Ah 'giclee' - this is simply a marketing term, it doesn't actually mean anything ;-) Any inkjet print on any inkjet paper can be called 'Giclee'... I test quite a range of papers for most reviews. The et-8550 has a slightly bigger scanner [nothing has anything larger] See the main [written] review for a discussion of paper types and scanning artwork www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/

[@peggyrussell1728]

I have an Epson ET 2400 it does decent prints of my art but how do I go about making my prints better with this printer is there an ICC profile for this printer

[@KeithCooper]

You nay be able to get profiles [one per paper] from some paper suppliers, but profiles are less widely available for lower end printers

[@MonicaHolly143]

I'm new to printing, is canvass paper the same as the canvass sheets ? Can u stretch the canvass print paper ?

[@KeithCooper]

I've heard the term 'canvas paper' used in two ways - one was a paper with a textured surface like canvas - the other was just sheets of canvas, but with a coating where it would work with inkjet printers. This distinguishes it from canvas meant for paints The key, if using any canvas [which should be stretchable] is to make sure it's one meant for inkjet printing

[@mekosmowski]

Are there better types of printers for occaisional saleable printmaking? Would an LED print be less prone to clogging after a period of disuse? Thank you

[@KeithCooper]

What sort of 'saleable' ? - that covers a vast range of options... LED printers tend to be for office use - not the sort of printers I test I'm afraid. No inkjet printer likes being left longer periods of time [months]

[@mekosmowski]

@@KeithCooper I'm looking to try doing some fine art photography, but I'm disabled and don't know what my consistency / demand would be.

[@KeithCooper]

Just make sure you use it every few weeks - even a nozzle check on plain paper is fine@@mekosmowski

[@BuffshopDanmark]

Hello Keith, I just bought a Canon printer more specific PIXMA IX6850 for photography printing as I am coming from the older Canon PIXMA Pro 9500 mark ii and didn't wish to spend much as I am printing lesser than before. It hasn't arrived yet. What is your honest thoughts?

[@KeithCooper]

It's not a printer I know I'm afraid. My only personal concern is that as a Mac user many of the current smaller Canon printers are hamstrung by having only the Airprint driver - obviously not an issue for PC users, but I only have Macs here for testing.

[@BuffshopDanmark]

@@KeithCooper thank you sir. I'm a PC/Windows user. Some say it's a good printer, but many reviews are focused on art print, printing stickers, screen printing. My reason for my decision was must a software issue as the Pro 9500 series are no longer supported on windows 11 😩

[@alphonsotate2982]

The best 4x5 inch printer is the Cannon Selphy closest thing to a real photo uses dye sublimation tech like my 8x10 inch DMP pro Snap lab printer

[@KeithCooper]

Yes, great for a certain type of print, in certain limited sizes, at a cost...

[@richardpenhardt6100]

THANK YOU!!! from a neophyte

[@KeithCooper]

Glad to help!

[@petitogredebarback72]

I'm looking for comprise ink tank (cost cheap ink) and quite good color accuracy and borderless prints, I don't find any good informations about that, can someone help me ? I was thinking on Epson, Canon and maybe HP ? And I have a budget around 200 to 400 € / $ Maybe Canon G650 ? What do you think about that guys ? It's difficult to find color accuracy information on internet (or color delta E). I'm lost ! Thanks for helping me all !

[@KeithCooper]

What size printer? What type of media? What sorts of images? More than anything define "quite good" ?? See here for G5/6xx info www.northlight-images.co.uk/canon-g550-printer-review/

[@petitogredebarback72]

@@KeithCooper I sent you an email with lot of informations :p But I can give you them here (sorry I'm French and my English is very bad, almost ugly ^^). I do photography with A7IV I plan to print A4 (because A3 is too high budget ... :( ) I want to print many different pictures : landscape, lot of portraits, color and BW. I need BW good for cyanotype prints on TRANSPARENT paper. I wish I can use great heavy paper too (maybe 300gr/m ?) Quite good I mea good color accuracy, good black and white. But good for me, beginner with printers, because I never print my photos ... Always share them on social networks or keep them on computer, TV screen. But if possible I want a printer you think is good for you, I think it will be good for me because I know nothing bout printers.

[@petitogredebarback72]

Of course if I can print sometimes flyers, visit cards and stickers, it's great too. But it's not the main use

[@KeithCooper]

Nothing springs to mind in your price bracket Printing large negatives needs pigment inks - good B&W - needs pigment inks The Canon PUO-300 is about the cheapest that will do all you ask...

[@kim-cj4hr]

hi whats the best size to print fine art photos

[@KeithCooper]

'Best'? As long as a piece of string... ;-) The size your market wants. I was talking to a gallery owner at a small coastal town, and A4 sold best, then A3 and then A3+ - people don't have space for many big prints. If I'm showing pictures then a minimum of A2 but more likely A1 or A0 ['A' sizes used for indicative purposes - I don't print A1 or A2]

[@kim-cj4hr]

@@KeithCooper thank you Keith four your reply i have dune fine art photos and print them and thats the best part about photography the final results once again thank you.

[@thomaseriksson6256]

That is a reason not to get the latest camera all the time. I keep to cameras that I have learnt to use and only are small upgrades from the first camera that I got used to as D300, D700 and now D800E and I hate spending time on the camera during an assignment. I have a camera Fuji X-T1 that I have difficult with and therefore I hate to use it.

[@KeithCooper]

I wait until there is a big enough increment to really feel the difference, then I take time to learn the new camera (I read the entire manual!)

[@thomaseriksson6256]

@@KeithCooper As an Engineer I never read a manual. We learn that during the first year. If I have to I quickly get bored and can’t finish the manual so it takes forever to learn a new camera...

[@KeithCooper]

You learned very differently to me - effective manual reading is IMHO a skill ;-)

[@thomaseriksson6256]

@@KeithCooper I can't claim that I was a top student or is a top class engineer.

[@KeithCooper]

OK, manual reading is perhaps one of my more peculiar skills ;-) :-)

[@bifcake]

I think a more pertinent question would be: Why buy a printer in the first place unless printing becomes a hobby in and of itself. How many pictures do you REALLY need to print? I think that most people would REALLY need to print a few images per year (I'm talking about photographic images, not art work or card stock, calendars or any of that stuff.) If you need, I would say fewer than 500 prints a year, there's absolutely no reason to buy a printer and get involved in the expense, the time spent learning how to print, experimenting with papers and so on. One would be much better off just having a quality lab print your work and use the money and the time that you would have spent printing to actually spend photographing and developing not just your skills, but your vision as well. My 2 cents

[@KeithCooper]

Yes - that might be a reasonable POV for some... It will come as no surprise that I generally disagree, since I feel skills and vision develop together in any study of printing and that does not need to be at the expense of spending time actually taking photos. 500 prints a year is ~10 a week which is definitely more than many people with printers do. However, my articles and videos are unashamedly aimed at promoting printing as 'a good thing' ;-) I don't sell printers, paper or ink, but am definitely selling the idea of doing your own printing...

[@bifcake]

@@KeithCooper What do you do with all of those prints? Most likely, you're going to either put them in a box never to be seen again or you're just going to throw them out. So, whatever your keeper rate is, it's much more cost and time effective to let a lab print it. I do understand gaining the printing skills and making that as a separate skill set. However, I don't think that printing necessarily makes you a better photographer. Many of the well known, well regarded photographers have never printed their work. They worked with the custom labs to translate their vision to paper. The labs served as technicians. If one spends too much of their time becoming a technician, there will be that much less time devoted to becoming a visionary, less time devoted to originality and less time devoted to creating images that actually say something. This is not to say that learning how to print is necessarily a bad thing, it's just that I don't think I would advise spending too much time and money learning how to do it unless that's an integral part of your business.

[@KeithCooper]

From that POV it sounds a waste of time - I generally don't agree. It's fair to note that 'time and cost effective' rarely enter into some people's printing - owning a bigger printer is a bit like owning a classic car. You do it because you want to, not for driving to the office or to save money. However... Bringing in 'famous' photographers has little to do with it IMHO. Few people who might want to think about printing these days have the opportunity to work with the sort of labs where any form of discussion or creative dialogue takes place. Where it does, it's also an expensive process - I know from how much I charge to do occasional specialist print work for exhibitions and collections. There are precious few such labs anywhere in my region and they are likely well out of the reach of someone wanting to just get started. My aim is to help people who want to print, to get more from it. It's principally about their own enjoyment and success in the process. As part of that, the economics definitely need considering, and I'm well aware it's not for everyone...

[@bifcake]

@@KeithCooper You're definitely doing a great service, I didn't mean to suggest that it's a waste of time. I think the classic car analogy is right on the money. It makes little practical sense to own one, but you do it for reasons other than practical. The point being that I don't think you have to be a good printer to be a good photographer. If I said "famous", I really meant "accomplished". I think these are two, very distinct skill sets. Any competent photographer's files should be printable. BTW, I had a few gallery exhibitions back when I lived in New York and I used the custom labs, who worked with me and printed my work to my specifications. They made their suggestions as well and they were usually good ones. It was expensive, but not horribly so. Framing was an absolute killer! Framing sucked all the money out and made it impossible to make any money out of the sales. (Framing for the exhibition, not the sold prints).

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - there just aren't any high end printers locally. _[that I know of - Leicester UK - if anyone has suggestions, let me know, I get asked about this quite often]_ For a couple of exhibitions I found a wholesale frame maker locally - that and a desktop matt cutter at a clearance sale. It's a lot of hassle though...

[@dexon555]

The true test of skill is creating a great print from a great image on an old printer. (Canon PRO-100) 😂

[@KeithCooper]

It's _a_ test, but only one of many... ;-)

[@dexon555]

@@KeithCooper Very true.

[@jondonnelly4831]

Garbage In, Garbage Out. Applies to most things.

[@KeithCooper]

Certainly does... ;-)

[@c-note4146]

You want a question you can use to go on a rant about? I’ve got a good one: what makes you more money, 24/4 or 18/10?

[@KeithCooper]

Sorry you will have to explain what this means first?

[@teresakarr8328]

I am going to RAspect your opinion, How many more inks? Paper is the secret to fine prints? 🤙 Calibrate😢what?

[@KeithCooper]

A few more words please? I'm not sure what it is you are asking?

[@messylaura]

the answer is in the question, no information no point in answering it.

[@KeithCooper]

Maybe, but still people keep asking me ;-)

[@messylaura]

@@KeithCooper i get the same thing with lenses, "which is the best lens", you can go through the whole which lens is the best for what scenario etc and five mins later same question again only so many times you can say "for what, what do you want to shoot, what conditions are you working in, budget. the other aspect of the best printer is work flow, i would love to get the pixma 200 but i know i don't have the workflow to keep it in decent condition, its not something you can use for a couple of weeks then leave it 4 months+

[@KeithCooper]

set a diary reminder - a nozzle test on plain paper is enough...

[@AdaptingCamera]

Thank you for another excellent video. I think another way of seeing which is the "best" ...camera, printer, car or whatever else is that the best is what you can afford (need, want or ready to pay for) and have access to when you need it or want to use it. By that I mean, it is totally irrelevant if the Pxxxx is miles ahead and much better than the ET-8500, which is the printer I have. It is also no help if the Z9 I don't have is better than my Z7 or a cell phone if I left the Z7 at home and all I have with me is a small P&S or my phone and the landscape is one of the most amazing at this very moment. At that moment, if I decide to take a picture I take it with what I have, which is the best at that moment. I also like your definition of "best photo printer" also. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGHOmWl-ma2qm6c "In general, the more expensive the printer is, and the more inks it has, the better printer is". ...but you also point out that rubbish in = rubbish out. On photo forums, like DPR, a lot of people blame the gear and don't realize that simple fact, so they constantly buy newer and better gear, but forget to invest in their own skills, so while they may get lucky more easily with the latest and the greatest camera, they refuse to accept the fact that they could take even better, or just as good images with their older gear if they improved their skills instead. BTW, I also hang on to my Z7 which hits the four year mark soon, but it still does what I need the camera for, and as you say regarding your own camera, I also don't feel the need for the next iteration, not yet anyway.

[@seabud6408]

Thanks. However I just want a printer which doesn’t give a coloured tint to the solely black and white (& shades of gray) prints I would like to produce. I’ve yet to find that and let’s face it .. it’s not too much to ask of any printer 🖨️

[@KeithCooper]

A reasonable request - although actually, good B&W is more difficult to get right from a technical POV That said, I've tested several printers which produce excellent B&W - depends on the papers you want to use and your budget.