Best Printer for Text and Photos?

I've been using a Minolta QMS series color laser printer for over 5 years now and have always been pleased with the results on standard copy paper - do not use photo paper. Good luck!

Hello Guest ,

Have a look at Xerox DC-12 series that is quiet old , but very reliable and rugged , they print exceptional quality photos and text and are used for proofing also , it will easily take 28lb grade paper and heavier

The current range of Canon inkjet printers print exceptionally well, and have done for sometime. The Pixma range of a few years ago is even better as the tanks are "Re-loadable", but that might not bother you in a business. Up to 4,800 DPI with the new models....

Mine has been in constant use for over 2 1/2 years, no failures, no replacements, except for ink tanks....

If I come back from holiday and the head is clogged, the cleaning algorithm at worst needs only two goes and the head is clean again, that is the best of ANY inkjet that I have used.....Some clog after only a weekend of not being used and are difficult to get going again....

Look through the tests and watch the ink usage as if you are printing a lot, the ink costs are high with some models.....

Separate tanks for each color are best and a separate print head.....

Agree on the separate colors. I have a number of photos of planes, and use the blue ink about 10x faster than the other colors when I print them. I'd hate to replace the whole range of color for when the others are barely used.

The separate print head, though, is a matter of preference. Having the print head part of the ink cartrige increases the cost of the cartrige, but gives you a new print head with each refill. That makes it easier to keep a clean head. Worst case, a new cartrige. With a fixed head, you can go through a LOT of ink cleaning a head that has not been used for a while.

andy if you are the guru that gave the answer on FixYa to the printhead question,

thank you so much. I know its not recommended but I had been trying to get the Printhead off my 240c for two days, when I found your answer that you simply turn the left hand wheel . Whether I succeed in unplugging mine or not, thank you

royerood@verizon.net

I have a good missionary friend in Siegen see ya roy

There are additional factors you have not mentioned that may be considerations. Print speed, cost, archival quality, etc. I have been very impressed with the copy I have seen from recent Epson printers, and their inks are reported to outlast other products.

Thank you for the replies.

In response to Welderman's questions. I will have low volume needs, so speed and cost per page are not primary concerns. The reports will be legal documents that may find their way to court, and so archival quality, and readability are paramount. I am concerned with the lower text quality of inkjets and the fact that the ink bleeds, and can fade after a number of years. I am also on a limited budget, so the high end color laser's are not feasible.

I appreciate your opinions.

Print bleeding is often as a result of using low quality paper.

My Canon is comparable to a good Laser printer with regard to text.....provided "reasonable" quality paper is used......

Lasers are more forgiving on low quality paper and cheaper in the long run with toner, than ink.

BUT!!!!!

Lasers can produce certain poisonous gases, especially if badly built, badly set up or if the "gas-absorber" is full, in large quantities.....always keep a window open near a laser printer, do not have it in the same room as you work in....it is due to the high voltage on the Corotrons. Many years ago I was a printer specialist for a large US company...I know exactly what I am talking about.....

I personally will not have a laser printer in the house.......for simple health reasons......

Ozone is the name of the gas by the way.

Please read the following document for further infos with regard to copiers and laser printers:-

OZONE

Ink jets do deliver laser like text when printed with best mode settings , it is the paper quality as andy pointed out that is related to bleeding and also refillable third party inks . printers from HP , Epson , Canon , lexmark are all good and widely used than lasers , i have certain documents printed on HP 200 series since 14 years and still i don`t see any fading or color change or detorition in quality it as crispy the day it was printed only paper has just shown of its age , i don`t have idea how long you expect the durablity . Another point , lasers are not expensive as it seems , you did not mention budget limits , but there are models catering all the segments some are nearing inkjets on budget terms , You can look for HP , Samsung , Canon entry level to professional level range , or do i suggest to have both one inkjet for color , and laser for text .

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=%22dye+sublimation%22+%2Bprinter&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

Thanks for the link , from past 2/3 years we are dealing with digital printers , solvent , dye / pigment inks , water based , oil based and acid based and UV curing inks ,and dye sublimation , well this dye based inks require a substrate to be printed on and than transfer to concerned media like cloth , ceramic , glass with heat transfer

I am currently using HP ink jets on two computer systems and we have a spare HP printer in the back room (It had a price we couldn't refuse).

The problem I have is that the ink is water soluble... thus a few rain drops or coffee drips or whatever can destroy the print.

I am wondering if going to a laser would take care of this problem? Also I am going to have to print a batch of product manuals. Doing this on the inkjet will take forever and a day. Would laser be better for this? or does anyone have better ideas?

Bill

Laser printers are definetly better than inkjet on this feature , the prints are water resistance , also prints fast , and cost for the print is low

I'm considering purchasing a Canon Pixma Pro9000 to use for proofing as well as generating text documents. I will probably produce twice as many text docs as proofs so I'm concerned about text quality. Given the unit is calibrated correctly and that the media used to print on is above average should I be happy with this purchase?

I've also been looking at the Ebson Stylus 1400 and 1800. Though given the propensity for those products print heads to clog, I'm really considering the Canon.

Andy advice?