Do Inkjets Make Sense Anymore?

[El Castor]

I just retired my second inkjet in a row due to a clogged head. (Ok, I
admit I refill.) I bought my last inkjet, a Canon i860, to among other
things, print digital photos. It worked ok for that, but I think most
of us would secretly admit that it can sometimes be a hassle. I
replaced the Canon with a cheap laser that does superior B&W that
doesn't smear when I grab it too quickly or get it wet. I can take an
SD chip or CD into Walgreens or Costco and print 4X6's for the wife in
a flash compared to a home inkjet, and I think those prints cost less
-- 17 to 29 cents each, and I don't have to pay for the paper and ink.

So with under $100 lasers and 17 cent 4X6's, do inkjets continue to
make sense for most people in the home market?

Jeff

 

[Vaskenos]

I just retired my second inkjet in a row due to a clogged head. (Ok, I
admit I refill.) I bought my last inkjet, a Canon i860, to among other
things, print digital photos. It worked ok for that, but I think most
of us would secretly admit that it can sometimes be a hassle. I
replaced the Canon with a cheap laser that does superior B&W that
doesn't smear when I grab it too quickly or get it wet. I can take an
SD chip or CD into Walgreens or Costco and print 4X6's for the wife in
a flash compared to a home inkjet, and I think those prints cost less
-- 17 to 29 cents each, and I don't have to pay for the paper and ink.

So with under $100 lasers and 17 cent 4X6's, do inkjets continue to
make sense for most people in the home market?

Jeff

Well, at home, you can print on different paper size or quality...

 

[SMS]

So with under $100 lasers and 17 cent 4X6's, do inkjets continue to
make sense for most people in the home market?

Not really. Note that you do not have to take your memory card in to
either Walgreen's or Costco, you can upload the photos to either of
those places, and choose where your photos come down to be printed.

In some areas of the country, Walgreen's is almost as ubiquitous as
Starbucks. I will send prints to a Walgreen's across the country for a
relative to pick up, and in an hour the prints are ready, though either
fortunately or unfortunately, there is no way to pre-pay for the prints.

Costco is sometimes more of a hassle because for most people it's not in
their neighborhood, but their prices are better, especially for the
larger prints.

I read somewhere that one of the most expensive fluids in the world is
inkjet printer ink.

HP is none too happy about the proliferation of sub-20¢ digital prints.

 

[Rover]

It depends what your objective is. I am an amateur photographer. I
print on different kinds of papers and non standard sizes. It is
cheaper and easier to use Walgreens for the 4x6 family / vacation photos
but not a good option if your into serious stuff.

Jim

 

[Taliesyn]

I just retired my second inkjet in a row due to a clogged head. (Ok, I
admit I refill.) I bought my last inkjet, a Canon i860, to among other
things, print digital photos. It worked ok for that, but I think most
of us would secretly admit that it can sometimes be a hassle.

Far less to do with refilling and more to do with how often you used it.
I refill for various friends and in every case of a clog (not that many,
really) the person told me they hadn't used it in a while. Naturally, I
reprimanded them and explained that all inks are quick drying and
will dry (clog) in the most likely place - their printhead. The i860 is
not a very good printer, by the way. I retired mine. The iP4000 and
iP5000 are far better (I have both). I can afford to run several since
a bulk refill only costs me about $5 to refill 5 cartridges. That's a
savings of about $100 CAD every time I refill. If I put that money in
a jar every time, Measekite (an admitted miser) would drool at the
mounds of cash left over after every year of bulk use . . .

-Taliesyn

 

[zakezuke]

So with under $100 lasers and 17 cent 4X6's, do

inkjets continue to make sense for most people in the
home market?

Some of those $100 lasers cost more per page than inkjets. I know it's
odd and hard to believe but check it out the next time you buy.

I print from home because my printer does a decent enough job and I can
have it "now". much of the stuff i've been doing lately are jewel case
covers. If I could get those at 17 cent/each i'd jump on it.

Economicly it makes little sense in most cases unless you go for 3rd
party ink solution, which would apeal to those who don't have the money
or space for a photolab.

 

[measekite]

Some of those $100 lasers cost more per page than inkjets. I know it's
odd and hard to believe but check it out the next time you buy.

I print from home because my printer does a decent enough job and I can
have it "now". much of the stuff i've been doing lately are jewel case
covers. If I could get those at 17 cent/each i'd jump on it.

Economicly it makes little sense in most cases unless you go for 3rd
party ink solution, which would apeal to those who don't have the money
or space for a photolab.

ECONOMICALLY IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO PRINT AT HOME USING OEM INK THEN
YOU SHOULD GO TO WALLGREENS OR COSTCO ETC..

SOUNDS TO ME LIKE YOU CANNOT AFFORD IT

 

[Dewi]

ECONOMICALLY IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO PRINT AT HOME USING OEM INK THEN
YOU SHOULD GO TO WALLGREENS OR COSTCO ETC..

SOUNDS TO ME LIKE YOU CANNOT AFFORD IT

You need a new keyboard, the caps lock key is stuck....

 

[Jim]

I just retired my second inkjet in a row due to a clogged head. (Ok, I
admit I refill.) I bought my last inkjet, a Canon i860, to among other
things, print digital photos. It worked ok for that, but I think most
of us would secretly admit that it can sometimes be a hassle. I
replaced the Canon with a cheap laser that does superior B&W that
doesn't smear when I grab it too quickly or get it wet. I can take an
SD chip or CD into Walgreens or Costco and print 4X6's for the wife in
a flash compared to a home inkjet, and I think those prints cost less
-- 17 to 29 cents each, and I don't have to pay for the paper and ink.

So with under $100 lasers and 17 cent 4X6's, do inkjets continue to
make sense for most people in the home market?

Jeff

I can't say as I seldom make 4x6 prints. My usual size is 8x10. Now, if
they were to offer 8x10, 11x14 or 11x17, I might be interested.
Jim

 

[Gary Tait]

I read somewhere that one of the most expensive fluids in the world is
inkjet printer ink.

Considering the small quantities (and ergo small containers), and the fact
some cartridges have printheads built in, kinda true. When you buy bulk
ink, there are usually savings associated with that.

 

[Taliesyn]

@typhoon.sonic.net:




Considering the small quantities (and ergo small containers), and the fact
some cartridges have printheads built in, kinda true. When you buy bulk
ink, there are usually savings associated with that.

More than just savings, like hitting the lottery.

If I refill my own cartridges the cost is approximately $5 CAD (for
the 5 of them).

If I buy the individual Canon OEM cartridges at a Wal-Mart or Staples,
we're talking around $125 CAD.

The difference in cost is ridiculous; the difference in printouts is
ridiculously minuscule.

I don't mind keeping about $120 CAD every time I refill, would you? .

Sure I'd like to buy Canon OEM cartridges, but not on their terms. If
they don't sell them at $5 CAD a piece, I feel I'm being ripped off.
And I'm sure a lot of people feel the same way. Especially the 20%, or
so, of the aftermarket ink users.

-Taliesyn

 

[Frank]

You need a new keyboard, the caps lock key is stuck....

It's not his keyboard that's stuck...it's his brain that is
stuck-on-stupid. Unfortunately new brains are not available.
Frank

 

[zakezuke]

It's not his keyboard that's stuck...it's his brain that is

stuck-on-stupid.

Well... i'm not sure what my cost per print actually is using MIS ink
but it's pretty dang low, on par with costco low when taking cost of
low cost paper into account. I'm not sure if they are using dye subs
or some sort of silver halide solution as i've never used their
service. But as I said and yes our resident troll didn't get it...
such places don't do odd sizes like 5x5.

 

[Burt]

Well... i'm not sure what my cost per print actually is using MIS ink
but it's pretty dang low, on par with costco low when taking cost of
low cost paper into account. I'm not sure if they are using dye subs
or some sort of silver halide solution as i've never used their
service. But as I said and yes our resident troll didn't get it...
such places don't do odd sizes like 5x5.

At about five cents per 4x6 sheet of Costco glossy photo paper and a few
pennies for MIS ink these prints are easily under ten cents US. BTW, the
new packaging of Costco glossy paper in 4x6 format is labeled (branded?)
exactly the same as the 8.5x11 paper --- EXCEPT that it is actually a
different product! 4x6 paper has a more ivory color and skin tones are
therefore slightly more warm. 4x6 is made in the US and 8.5x11 is made in
Switzerland. I actually like the 8.5x11 paper better as is is a more pure
white and therefore more neutral as a "palate" for color photos.

So much for Measekite's reverence for the Kirkland brand/label. Does he
really think that there is a Kirkland factory pumping out cashmere sweaters,
sox and underwear, glossy photo paper, jelly-belly jelly beans, alkaline
batteries, etc???? Is Kirkland a brand? Label? It is only sold in one
chain of stores and is not manufactured by the vendor (Costco). The
manufacturer is not identified. Is Measekite now going to avoid these
stores because of their unbranded merchandise? I'll never know because I
have him killfiled and don't have to read his drivel. Much less do I care
where he shops as he is clueless about most everything (including civility,
honesty, and common decency).

 

[Arthur Entlich]

Not is your main use is unadulterated 4 x 6" snapshots.

For people producing larger prints, for people making artwork, labels,
signage, greeting cards, and hundreds of other types of color output,
for people who need color proofs, who work in Photoshop and alter the
images, for people working with text, adverting layout and so on, yes,
they still make sense. And finally, for people who get enjoyment out of
printing their images at home on an inkjet printer, they still make sense.

However, your make a fair point, and for people who echo your
circumstances, yes, black and white laser, and use of a photo lab, may
be more logical a solution.

Art

 

[zakezuke]

Well... i'm not sure what my cost per print actually is using MIS ink

At about five cents per 4x6 sheet of Costco glossy photo paper and a
few pennies for MIS ink these prints are easily under ten cents US

Assuming 450 print [there and abouts] per 2oz of ink @ 5 each (photo so
only $20) And a refillable tank set at another $20 we're talking 8.8c
each, but given one only has to buy a refillable set once for at least
a few refills or re-use their canon ones, let's call it a plum nickle
for the ink. This is a vague estimate of ink at 50% yield, 280p 5%
yield on OEM and 2oz is 4x OEM there and abouts.

So a nickle for the paper and a nickle for the ink = 10c which could be
higher or lower depending on reality, such as how often one actually
has to replace the tanks, if one buys OEM canon tanks and refills them,
or gets a lower cost. Also the paper may or may not be kirkland. So
while i'll agree odds are the MIS stuff we use is likely to be lower in
cost... i'd still class it on par with costco printing or other sub 20c
solutions. Why? Cause you shelled out at least $100 for that
printer.. and even at 5000 4x6s that's at least a couple of cents, a
number I loosly base on canon's product life estimate.

Average photo printing... odds are the mis solution is less by about
30% to 50% based on my ballpark estimates.

Photos of gothic churches at night..."might" be more.

 

[Jeff]

You need a new keyboard, the caps lock key is stuck....

Don't tell him that!!! That's how I can rapidly know it's him and ignore
what he writes. He's a troll.

Jeff

 

[measekite]

At about five cents per 4x6 sheet of Costco glossy photo paper and a few
pennies for MIS ink

OEM INK IS THE BEST AND YOUR CHANCE OF A PRINT CLOG ARE LESS

these prints are easily under ten cents US. BTW, the
new packaging of Costco glossy paper in 4x6 format is labeled (branded?)
exactly the same as the 8.5x11 paper --- EXCEPT that it is actually a
different product! 4x6 paper has a more ivory color and skin tones are
therefore slightly more warm. 4x6 is made in the US and 8.5x11 is made in
Switzerland. I actually like the 8.5x11 paper better as is is a more pure
white and therefore more neutral as a "palate" for color photos.

So much for Measekite's reverence for the Kirkland brand/label.

KIRKLAND IS A COSTCO STORE LABEL. COSTCO DOES NOT MAKE PAPER. MOST
LIKELY IT IS MADE BY ILFORD. BECAUSE OF ITS SIZE SOME CAN CONSIDER IT A
LARGE CORPORATE BRAND. IN SOME CASES COSTCO PACKAGES THE EXACT SAME
PRODUCTS UNDER THE KIRKLAND LABEL. IN A FEW CASES THE ACTUAL FACTORY
BRAND NAME AND THE KIRKLAND NAME HAVE EXISTING ON THE PACKAGE AND IN
OTHER CASES A PRDOUCT SPECIFIED BY COSTCO BUT MFG BY A KNOWN COMPANY IN
SOLD UNDER THE KIRKLAND NAME AND IS NOT THE SAME AS THE FACTORY BRANDED
PRODUCT.

Does he
really think that there is a Kirkland factory pumping out cashmere sweaters,
sox and underwear, glossy photo paper, jelly-belly jelly beans, alkaline
batteries, etc????

NEVER SAID THAT

HAPPY TYPING

Is Kirkland a brand? Label? It is only sold in one
chain of stores and is not manufactured by the vendor (Costco). The
manufacturer is not identified. Is Measekite now going to avoid these
stores because of their unbranded merchandise? I'll never know because I
have him killfiled

THAT IS GREAT. HOPE YOU NEVER ANSWER

and don't have to read his drivel.

YOU DO JUST LIKE THE OTHERS WHO CLAIM THEY DON'T/

IN THE INDY 500 YOU DO NOT GET THE POLE POSITION.

Much less do I care
where he shops as he is clueless about most everything (including civility,
honesty, and common decency).

STOP TALKING ABOUT YOURSELF

 

[measekite]

Well... i'm not sure what my cost per print actually is using MIS ink
but it's pretty dang low,

CAN YOU AFFORD TO USE OEM

 

[measekite]

It's not his keyboard that's stuck...it's his brain that is
stuck-on-stupid. Unfortunately new brains are not available.
Frank

his brain that is stuck-on-stupid. Unfortunately new brains are not
available.