Best way to print digital photos?

If looking for highest quality photographs from digital images, what
is the best way to produce prints for hanging etc. Any of the current
inkjet printers, or a professional printing service?

 

With premium paper and OEM dye-based inks, Canon printers are
estimated to produce prints with a display life (framed, matted, under
glass) of 25-27 years. In comparing overall performance and image
quality among the popular manufacturers, I think Canon has a slight
edge. The prints from the i960 and i9900 units are simply superb.

The Epson DuraBrite inks and other pigment-based systems are rated for
3-4 times that, but have a somewhat narrower color gamut (range of
reproduceable colors). However, Epson inkjets that use pigment inks
are widely adopted in the professional arena and have mucho
aftermarket support.

Compare these to standard Kodak color prints (25 years) and Fuji
Crystal Archive (approx 60 years).

When you take your digital files to a photo store, they're either
going to give you dye-sublimation or inkjet prints. Some facilities
have the capability to laser-print digital files to standard process
silver-halide photo paper. Ask your lab which they use.

 

I use a professional printing service. In my opinion is this the best
way to get best quality (kontrast, saturation, tenable etc.) for best
price. I pay 0,60 EUR for a 13x18cm picture, 1,95 EUR for 20x30 and 5,10
EUR for 30x45cm (biggest on my favourite laboratory here in germany). I
setting options (size, white border etc.) and send this online and they
send me the prints to home.

Some other printig services for lower price use the chemicals longer or
in wicked quality. I think this is important for tenable, equal and
forecasting results.

HTH, bye uwe

PS: sorry for my bad english. To write here is my way to traning my
little bit of english ;o)))

To my person: This is my firt posting here. I work as blacksmith and i
photograph sience 4 years digital and analog. I'm 27 Years old and i
come from dresden/germany.

here can you see a few of my panoramas:
http://www.cover-collection.de/hammernocker/panoramas/inhalt.php

 

I got a Canon i9900 and it like Rob Novak said the prints are simply superb!

 

If you want long lasting archival printouts at home the Epson printers don't
suffer from the fading of the Canon printers.

Personally unless you need quick prints, the online print shops can't be
beat!

I got an Epson R800 because I wanted to print on DVD covers and it is the
best quality printer out for under $400.

Also I use www.whcc.com and they can print up to 30" wide by any length
using photographic processes.
They use Frontier printers for wallet to 8x10, Lamda and other printers for
11x14 up to 30" by whatever.

If you want to pay for large prints from large Professional Epson printers
Jumbogiant is good.

http://www.jumbogiant.com/services/pricelist.html

If you like LightJet 5000 prints

http://www.calypsoinc.com

 

The Epson R800 is incredible. The ink is waterproof and won't fade and the
gloss cartridge completely eliminates inkjet bronzing. It produces the
highest quality photos I have seen yet. Unfortunately, it will not do
anything over 8.5" x 11." This printer is hard to find, though, and so are
the ink cartridges, although you can order the cartridges from Staples
online.

 

I got mine locally at COMP USA and they had 6 sitting in boxes and all the
cartridges in stock.

For larger prints the 2200 is very good, but I would expect it will be
replaced shortly with something using the newer gloss cartridge that the
R800 uses.

Here are a couple reviews on these printers.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/printers/epson-r800.shtml

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/printers/Epson2200.shtml

 

Any good printer should be fine, but if you really want excellent prints
I've heard a dye-sublimation printer is the way to go for photo prints.

 

Sure, if you like a more expensive printer, more expensive
consumables, and a display lifetime less than half of the average
dye-based inkjet.

Dye-sub's sole advantage at this point and time (though it is slowly
evaporating) is that it does true continuous tone. With droplet sizes
at the 2 picoliter mark, and improved inks, papers, and color
profiles, there's an ever shrinking margin with regards to color
reproduction.

 

I love http://www.ezprints.com. They make awesome prints; most importantly,
very accurate colors.

Mike

 

Dye-subs can be very good, I used to have one. I just replaced my
dyesub with a Canon i9900 a couple months ago. Prints very well,
prints very fast, and will print 13" x 19" (under 3 minutes).

Mike

 

I use a company called White House Custom Color (www.whcc.com)
.. They make your digital photos in real photographic prints. WHCC has
great prices and free shipping.

Inkjet printing is too expensive for me