Printer Recommendation For Small Size Prints

[JackieTreehorn]

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I’d like to begin making small prints (5x7 or even smaller) on photography stock at home on a daily basis for a journaling project.  I do not own a printer today.  I’m hesitant to make the big leap right now to the + $1,000 printers given some of the technical challenges I’ve read about here.  Ultimately, I’ll get there but for now I want something really simple to use which will produce good quality prints just for my non professional use.

Appreciate any recommendation!

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[charlesphoto99]

Canon Selphy if you're okay sticking to 4X6 prints. I got one for my kids (12 and 16) to print from their cell phones and the quality and ease of use is pretty great. Considering using it myself (my wide format printer won't print anything smaller than 8" wide). 

[rogxwhit]

Yes, I wouldn't rule out dye sub printers (which the Selphy is), though they won't allow the choice of media including 'art' papers that an inkjet will.

Some examples can be seen here (no connection or endorsement);

https://www.dlkphoto.co.uk/printers-media-c5/dye-sub-printers-c330

[jaapv]

But if your ambition is to scale up your prints over time, Epson offers a number of affordable smallish photo printers up to A3+ which print in good quality. There is really no need to spend 1000$+ for anybody but those who chase the last percent of print quality. If your only ambition is to print postcard size the Selphy is indeed a perfect choice.

[Siriusone59]

+1 for the Canon Selphy, fantastic little printer for 4x6.  Plus it's wifi, I can print from Lightroom or direct connect with my iPhone.  Easy to set up and use.  I don't know if the latest model has it but mine(a few years old) will also print from sd cards.

[Jeff S]

My last two Epson printers (3800 and P800) were still going strong when I upgraded models 7-8 years after.  They are still being used AFAIK at the art schools where I donated them. I would consider, as Jaap advises, buying for future needs.  The Selphy won’t even print 5x7, if that’s one of your goals.  

Epson regularly has rebates ($200+ depending on model; check the Epson Rebate Center site), in addition to any dealer discounts, so some due diligence pays off.  My 3800 was discounted $450 in total. Like razors and blades, the manufacturers want to entice you to buy the more profitable ongoing materials.

[JackieTreehorn]

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39 minutes ago, jaapv said:

But if your ambition is to scale up your prints over time, Epson offers a number of affordable smallish photo printers up to A3+ which print in good quality. There is really no need to spend 1000$+ for anybody but those who chase the last percent of print quality. If your only ambition is to print postcard size the Selphy is indeed a perfect choice.

Thank you!  Is there a particular Epson in that smallish range that you would recommend?  I’m leaning toward the Canon Selphy. But,  I agree that over time I will likely scale up and then the Selphy will join my enormous collection of no longer used camera bags in the closet.  I might opt for Epson now if price and ease of use are not too big of a hurdle.

[jaapv]

I use both a compact Epson XP15000 (prosumer level A3+  6 cartridge)  for “real” prints for the wall and normal routine stuff from the computer, and a Selphy for quick durable small prints for my wife 

[Jeff S]

I would consider the P700 13 inch, 10 ink printer, once the next rebate kicks in ($200 just ended 3/31), hopefully without tariff adjustment.  It provides both photo black (gloss/semi-gloss) and matte black inks, with separate channels that don’t require swapping.  I use the 17 inch P900 sister printer, but you don’t need to start there. 

Edited April 14 by Jeff S

[jaapv]

https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/tech/printers/epson-xp-15000-printer-review

https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/reviews/epson-surecolor-sc-p700-review
 

 

[PhotoCruiser]

I have in Zurich a Epson ET 7750 EcoTank Photo A3 printer and i am happy with it but don't use it a lot. I never calibrated the printer and prints come out as i see them on my calibrated/profiled monitor. I had also some photos printed and honestly they where not really better than the ones i printed by my self.
Surprisingly the ink jets don't clog as older models did and refilling the cartridges makes printing cheaper.
If you plan to print a lot then i suggest to get a printer with separate color cartridges as some empty faster than other colours and you can replace/refill the empty ones.
For nice prints the paper is the key and you need to experiment with different brands and types of paper and use the correct one for different photos.
Chris

Edited April 15 by PhotoCruiser