What's a good printer for your small card/print business. Be careful where you look to economise

What sort of printer is suitable for starting a small card or print business. Why a cheaper printer may cost you more if you are serious about making money, and why it's rarely the actual printer cost which you should consider.
The test image are available at:
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There are several detailed printer reviews referred to in the video - the reviews also contain links to all videos associated with that particular printer.
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For a full categorised index of all my videos, see:
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I've tested many different paper and printer combinations. See here for videos/articles
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I've many videos about selling prints and the business side of photography in their own play list
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[@kennethdodds2323]

This is good advice. There are more people hoping to sell their photographs than ever before. I did a little of this a few years ago and discovered that people do not beat a path to your door. You must be able to create a market for your prints to sell them, regardless of how good they are.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - I've put most business related videos in their own play list

[@joeguitar4548]

I have learned so much watching you videos This is exactly what i have been doing with my Canon pro 300 It is still a hobby although I do sell to my neighbour.

[@KeithCooper]

Excellent - glad it was of interest!

[@EvelyneJackman]

Thanks for this video. I am a crafter, and I do use white cardstock that weighs 216gsm for scrapbooking, so it has to be borderless; and, watercolor paper cold press 300gsm. I also print on vellum paper occasionally. I usually go to a printer but I am looking for a printer o printers that can handle my needs. Thank you for your help and time.

[@KeithCooper]

Glad it was helpful

[@PaulaFi]

That was a great summary! The best printers are usually sizes A3+ or more, so they are quite heavy - the lightiest ones I guess ca 10 kg - and bulky. A4 inkjet printers are seldom over 5 kg and they are considerably smaller.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - I've some smaller printers on the way and will be returning to this subject...

[@wtlloyd6039]

I've always wanted to print up a few runs of cards, for personal use and as gift packs of 10 or so. I've never printed borderless as I've always thought that at some point there will be a mess to deal with and possible staining of paper from the overspray. I use the Epson Surecolor series printers, I've had a 4000, 4800 and now the P5000 (these are US model numbers) The thing that has kept me from trials of card printing is that these large format printers have a minimum sheet size of 8"x10" (again, US sizing) and while I have though of printing larger and cutting the sheets down to card size, this would keep me from the convenience of pre-creased cards with matching envelopes. And of course, if you can't find a way toward low cost consumables, then you might as well not start if you're looking to make some money off it. The printer I have does use quite large ink cartridges and have roll paper capacity, I just wish it would handle smaller sizes in it's paper cassette, then I would be more eager to give it a go.

[@KeithCooper]

I've tested pre-creased A4 [A5 cards] in the P5000 but it's the margins which cause issues.

[@PositiveSpeaking]

Hi Thank you for the information/reviews you provide. After a long period away from printing photo's I concluded I needed to move back into printing to help me improve my hobby and outputs. After much research and generally having been a Canon Printer user I listened to your reviews (some others) and concluded an Epson was probably a better fit for my ambitions. I therefore bought a Epson SC-P900. So far I have no regrets, was well prepared by the information you share and getting well into managing profiles and getting predictable results. I am looking forward to this journey and hope you will continue to express your experience and views, which is so helpful. Would appreciate some insights in matching paper styles with pigment printing to photo styles.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks I've a few videos about paper selections, but it's a very personal thing. There is however the minor difficulty of finding two people ascribing the same meaning to a 'photo style' ;-)

[@allanosantiago5955]

Hi Keith, truly appreciate your advise on sourcing for a printer related to the type of printing business one is considering. May I kindly request your thoughts for a future video about how you manage the packaging of your prints as you send it out either for delivery or pick-up by a courier. How do you protect your prints or if they are to be framed, what materials do use to ensure their safety from transport and hangling. More power to your channel.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks! Unlikely for a video since print sales is a relatively small part of our actual business. Most of our big prints tend to be for businesses and are taken to a framer, who then delivers/fits locally For shipping Big prints are interleaved with archival tissue, rolled up, put in a long plastic bag [the ones that rolls of paper have round them] then a layer of thin bubble wrap and then into a large shipping tube. All followed by a walk to the local post office. Smaller prints just get the tissue paper/bag and a smaller tube. We don't ship often enough to have much of a 'process' beyond that

[@oneeyedphotographer]

I have a cheapish printer, a used P600. It might need some puppy walking, but I see it chiefly as an educational exercise. That said, I would like to earn _some_ money. My photography club has exhibitions sometimes, and that would be an opportunity to sell some (and keep the printer exercised). I plan to start with small prints, the printer came with almost 50 sheets of A3+ paper, quite a few A4 and a handful of 8x6". I intend t go to the shop that sold the printer to the bloke who sold it to me, and ask about card stock for it, and about rolls of paper. I am glad you mentioned cutting, it was one of my questions. There are quite a few workforce printers, some take bottled ink. I imagine they are good for printing business documents including photos, say realestate flyers, but I have never seen them suggested by photographers to photographers. It might be a snob issue....

[@KeithCooper]

Ah, see my WF office printer testing - the people at epson had never seen it used that way ;-) Four inks work well with the right media and colour management (and suitable image)

[@victorboucher675]

The old false economy trap. Jolly good, thank you, well done.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks

[@ColzoArt]

Hey Keith! Thanks for another informative video! I’ve started making stickers using my Epson eco tank et 2080, I can print an image on the glossy sticker paper and it looks as stunningly bright as I’ve make the image but then I’ve used matte inkjet sticker paper and the results are horrendous so I’ve stopped selling matte stickers!

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - gloss really helps with this. BTW I've a short video tomorrow specifically about printing brightly coloured text.

[@ColzoArt]

@@KeithCooper ooo I’ll keep an eye out for that one thanks!

[@maryhardman4325]

Brilliant thank you so much

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - I've recently completed a full index of all my 500+ videos if you're curious www.northlight-images.co.uk/keith-cooper-photography-videos-index/

[@RealCheeseOnly]

I’ve watched many of your videos today trying to decide on a printer for my new home art prints business. I mainly want to print my fine art (paintings, watercolors, b&w pencil and ink drawings) in various sizes including A3 and down to small prints and greeting cards. I am planning on both selling on Etsy (where I could print individually upon sale) and some art markets throughout the year (where I would need to print a small pile of each work to have ready to sell.) Trying to decide between the canon pro 200 and the Epson eco tank 8550. I like that the eco tank has the refillable large ink carts. I am not sure which one would be better for my needs. I would love to be able to print many at a time and just set in the paper and let it go and I also want to make sure it has the excellent color accuracy (which I know often depends on presets for specific paper, etc.) They seem so similar though outside the ink tanks, so I am not sure which I should get! Feeling overwhelmed by the decision a bit, to be honest. Any advice or recommendations? Thank you so much!

[@KeithCooper]

Look at the main [written] review of the 8550. See the important bit about paper choices, especially the results when the black pigment ink is used, and the different papers I tested [and produced icc profiles] www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/ Remember, my articles are always where the detail goes...

[@RealCheeseOnly]

@@KeithCooper Thanks I read that part again specifically as you mentioned. So what I am gleaning is that perhaps you’d instead recommend the canon 200 since the 8550 has some fiddly trouble with matte paper and the limited presets to get the range of blacks right. And that overall you wouldn’t use it to sell prints. Does the canon 200 do a better job printing on matte paper than the epson 8550? And would you use it to sell prints?

[@KeithCooper]

Somewhat the opposite - use the VFA media setting to ensure that the Mk pigment ink is used - it is not remotely fiddly ;-) With care and icc profiles the 8550 is quite versatile. Now that could be because I experiment - but see all the profiles I made As to selling - neither, but that's because I'm looking for 'fine art' pigment prints. I don't usually make recommendations though ;-) @@RealCheeseOnly

[@RealCheeseOnly]

@@KeithCooper Thank you, Keith. I appreciate it! Glad I asked bc apparently my deduction skills didn’t work. lol! Thanks again.

[@oneeyedphotographer]

I have also been thinking about business cards. I know that as far as business cards go, they will be bloody expensive. But I might only need a sheet or two, and I could well justify different cards for different occasions.

[@KeithCooper]

For business cards, it's always a larger sheet and the cutter for me - the problem is getting really good inkjet card, stiff enough to feel good as a card to give out.

[@oneeyedphotographer]

@@KeithCooper That is what I expected. Before I got the printer, I wondered what the local Officeworks would do in printing on suitable sheets of card.

[@hannahr.n.5791]

Great video! Thank-u:)

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks

[@fixit3108]

Thanks for all your effort. I have one question, can you suggest a printer that will be good for trading cards or football match attack cards.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks None of the printers I've looked at... the print/media is just not robust enough for handling. Few print double sided with accuracy/quality. There are good reasons these are produced by specialist commercial printers on large sheets and chopped to size. I'm assuming these get handled, since I've not come personally across such stuff since I was at school in the 1970's ;-) There may be possible solutions with smaller printers and specialist inks but this is miles away from anything I get to test.

[@cecilysaunders]

Thank you for your work, I am learning a lot from your videos! I'm an artist and am going to start (seriously} selling my art through greetings cards. I'm in the process of deciding whether to print them myself or outsource to professionals so I am yet to buy a printer...hence my binge watching of your very informative videos. I am wanting to print on cards made from recycled materials, between 280-300gsm, and the size 140x140. Could you tell me if the printers you are recommending would support this kind of paper, and if so, is there one that would be best? Thank you Keith

[@KeithCooper]

Ah,... Recycled materials and inkjet media - not happening yet That means that unless you can find media specified for inkjet use, the results are likely less than optimal I've yet to see any recycled media perform well on any printer I've tested. That may just reflect the limited range of media I've seen though...

[@cecilysaunders]

Thank I’ll for your quick response. That’s really helpful - I did have my reservations. Maybe it’s best I start with a professional printers to ensure quality. Again, thank you for your help, you’ve saved me a lot of time and money!!

[@poocky100]

I purchased the xp 15000 and getting different information about thick cardstock online. Can I use the rear feeder for thick cardstock? Thanks 😊

[@KeithCooper]

What is 'cardstock'? Every time I see the term used it usually signifies difficulties when printing with inkjet... The printer will handle 350gsm card, but it needs to be card meant for inkjet use. See what I tested here www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-xp-15000-printer-review/ Yes - 'cardstock' is one of my red flag warning words when I'm asked questions... ;-) :-)

[@poocky100]

@@KeithCooper thank you so much for the testing info! And the response. Ty 😊

[@johnvaleanbaily246]

Sound words, as always.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks again!