Minimum Pigment Inkject Printer for low volume home use

[Einst_Stein]

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I have never reached the volume to make sense of a home printer, and yet I always want one. This is going to be another run. Right or wrong, this time I aimed at Epson Pigment printers: WF-7310 or P700

7310 seems not a true photo printer, it is more for office document or at most for graphics. The printer costs ~$150, but I guess the majir cost would be in ink anyway. Rated 2500page per month. P700 is more likely a true photo printer (up to 13"). 

Can anyone give an advise:

1: Should 7310 be considered at all, for its photo quality, given its only mission will be printing photos.

2: If answer to 1 is no, what volume  can justify P700?

I plan to use this printer for my major print out. For the rare good stuffs that worth a better print, I will send to professional print shop. 

FYI, currently, I use 4K TV for display.  

 

[wda]

Unless you would use it  every day or so, you would use quite a lot of ink cleaning and clearing blocked nozzles. All of my printing is done commercially.  It is much cheaper  and more consistent. 

[david strachan]

Yes, more usage is conventional wisdom.

But my Epson R3000 hasn't been used for over 3 months.  I've just printed 2  4x6" B&W and they are perfect.

I did a "Nozzle Check" first, which used only enough ink to print a check grid.  Now put back to sleep.

 

I must admit and agree the inks are outrageously expensive.

But I do like the control of how my prints turn out, just as I did in my Darkroom.

 

All best, and good luck.

[Jeff S]

Epson printers are regularly discounted through the Epson Rebate Center website, and sometimes through additional dealer promos (like razors/razor blades; the goal is to sell you inks).  So, one can typically buy a new, discounted P900 for about the same price as the P700 retail price. My P800 was discounted by $350 or $400 as I recall.  The 17 inch machine has double the ink cartridge capacity, for more economic use, while the size/footprint of the machine is not much different.  I recommend the more flexible 17 inch printer.

Jeff

[Jeff S]

4 hours ago, wda said:

Unless you would use it  every day or so, you would use quite a lot of ink cleaning and clearing blocked nozzles. All of my printing is done commercially.  It is much cheaper  and more consistent. 

I almost never print every day, and a quick nozzle check now and then suffices to prevent any clogs.  Modern Epson printers are much better in this regard than their older machines. (Canon printers run mandatory cleanings due to “ hot firing” nozzles that create residue. Inks will get used for cleanings, whether desired or not, so regular printing is recommended). 

I also have far greater control, efficiency, consistency and flexibility (including paper choices) over my prints than than through outsourcing, which is why I don’t mind the costs. For me, it’s a necessary built-in cost of photography, no different than camera gear, and far cheaper than my past darkroom days.

Different strokes…

Jeff
 

 

Edited October 3, 2023 by Jeff S