Tips for getting a lab-quality glossy print?

[Photog]

I am looking into buying a high-end photo printer, and I'm testing my
brother's Epson 2200 to decide if I'd like to settle on that one. I've
tried printing a high-resolution file as a 5 x 7 print on Epson
Premium Glossy paper, but the blacks look a little dull to me, which
results in a nice gloss over most of the photo with patches of
matte-looking blacks. Is there something that I'm doing wrong? The ink
cartridges are all full, so I don't think that's an issue. Is it just
not possible to get a high-gloss print like I can at the lab?

Thanks for any advice (and/or suggestions on other printers that I
might be happier with)! I really appreciate it.

Susan

 

[Douglas]

The 2200 is not the best printer for glossy prints! It does great matte
prints.It has a bronzing effect on glossy paper.Also pigment inks are not as
vibrant as dye based inks.Pigment inks are designed for long lasting
prints.There is going to be a replacement for the 2200,probably in the
spring,if not sooner.It should do a much better job on glossy paper.

 

[Tony]

I am looking into buying a high-end photo printer, and I'm testing my
brother's Epson 2200 to decide if I'd like to settle on that one. I've
tried printing a high-resolution file as a 5 x 7 print on Epson
Premium Glossy paper, but the blacks look a little dull to me, which
results in a nice gloss over most of the photo with patches of
matte-looking blacks.

You are dealing with archival and pigmented inks which lead to this panda
effect of shiny white and dull black.
Google for it and you'll find interesting comments such as ...
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/printers/2200-bw.shtml
Tony
--
Inkylink JetTec UK Quality - Wot others wanna-be
Epson C64/ C84 Lighfast pigmented inks. R200/300,
RX500 (all with 30% more free patent chip)
Canon BCI-3 i560 i750 BCI-6 i865 S-820 / S-900 series.
Specialist ink refill kits... http://www.inkylink.co.uk

 

[Anoni Moose]

I am looking into buying a high-end photo printer, and I'm testing my
brother's Epson 2200 to decide if I'd like to settle on that one. I've
tried printing a high-resolution file as a 5 x 7 print on Epson
Premium Glossy paper, but the blacks look a little dull to me, which
results in a nice gloss over most of the photo with patches of
matte-looking blacks. Is there something that I'm doing wrong? The ink
cartridges are all full, so I don't think that's an issue. Is it just
not possible to get a high-gloss print like I can at the lab?

No, you're doing things right. That's just how the 2200 prints
glossy prints. Epson has a new printer (not wide format though)
that adds an "overcoat" cartridge that coats the glossy print making
it glossy. But you're right, the 2200 makes for odd looking glossy
images. I'm told by a friend who has one that it's less obvious
after mounting the print under glass.

The alternative I took is the Canon i9900 printer. Couple hundred
dollars less expensive, prints a great deal faster, and looks
spectacularly good, especially if you like glossy prints whereas
its glossy prints are full gloss. Downside is that the print
longevity (assuming one is using mfgr inks and papers) is shorter
on the Canon. For glossy prints, the Epson 2200 is rated 50
years by Wilhelm while the BCI-6 inks used in the Canon is rated
only 38 years (on a paper that has since been improved in this
regard). For non-glossy prints, the Epson can have even longer
rated prints. For me, the Canon was better overall, but it
depends what you feel best for you.

Mike

Reference for Wilhelm numbers:

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,105461,pg,3,00.asp

 

[CWatters]

I am looking into buying a high-end photo printer, and I'm testing my
brother's Epson 2200 to decide if I'd like to settle on that one. I've
tried printing a high-resolution file as a 5 x 7 print on Epson
Premium Glossy paper, but the blacks look a little dull to me,

I assume he hasn't got a Matte Black cart installed? They provide a special
one with the printer.

which
results in a nice gloss over most of the photo with patches of
matte-looking blacks. Is there something that I'm doing wrong? The ink
cartridges are all full, so I don't think that's an issue. Is it just
not possible to get a high-gloss print like I can at the lab?

I have a 2100 (uk version of the 2200). I get reasonably good results using
TDK PRO Photo Glossy 270g paper (Make sure it says PROFESSIONAL on it - they
also make a regular paper and a "Reference Grade" which sounds like it might
also be worth a try.

I don't believe an inkjet can ever be perfect the glossy layer has to be
porus to let the ink through. Pores = texture = slightly less glossy. I've
read that it's possible to coat the print afterwards with a gloss lacquer
but no idea which make/type works well.

 

[Safetymom123]

If you are only going to print up to 8,5 x11 look at the Epson R800. It
does a much better job on glossy paper than the 2200.

 

[puss]

I am looking into buying a high-end photo printer, and I'm testing my
brother's Epson 2200 to decide if I'd like to settle on that one. I've
tried printing a high-resolution file as a 5 x 7 print on Epson
Premium Glossy paper, but the blacks look a little dull to me, which
results in a nice gloss over most of the photo with patches of
matte-looking blacks. Is there something that I'm doing wrong? The ink
cartridges are all full, so I don't think that's an issue. Is it just
not possible to get a high-gloss print like I can at the lab?

Thanks for any advice (and/or suggestions on other printers that I
might be happier with)! I really appreciate it.

Susan

Get a Dye sub Printer

Here are a few, 48c/us a print I think it states


http://www.steves-digicams.com/2002_reviews/hiti_630ps.html

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/cp200.html


http://www.steves-digicams.com/p330.html


Most firms make then, Panasonic & Sony also..

 

[Arthur Entlich]

Epson has a relatively new printer called the R800 which uses pigmented
inks (I think 7 colors) plus a gloss optimizer, which can coat the image
to create a very glossy print. It is currently only available as a
letter width printer.

I suspect they may expand it into a wider carriage model. Otherwise, in
general, you will find dye based inks will tend to work better for
glossy applications, used on glossy papers. However, you need to find
dye based inks with good fade resistance if you want them to equal
silver photographically produced color prints of today.

This is changing, however, with new specialty inks and papers on their way.

Art

 

[Arthur Entlich]

CWatters wrote:

I don't believe an inkjet can ever be perfect the glossy layer has to be
porus to let the ink through. Pores = texture = slightly less glossy. I've
read that it's possible to coat the print afterwards with a gloss lacquer
but no idea which make/type works well.

Konica makes several papers and several are mirror glossy and looks just
like the gloss from a photo lab (maybe even better). There may be other
similar papers. The Konica paper is actually a micropore design, but
swellable polymer papers don't require any pore.

Art

 

[Jon O'Brien]

Epson has a relatively new printer called the R800 which uses pigmented
inks...
I suspect they may expand it into a wider carriage model.

Next spring, apparently.

Jon.

 

[Photog]

I am looking into buying a high-end photo printer, and I'm testing my
brother's Epson 2200 to decide if I'd like to settle on that one. I've
tried printing a high-resolution file as a 5 x 7 print on Epson
Premium Glossy paper, but the blacks look a little dull to me, which
results in a nice gloss over most of the photo with patches of
matte-looking blacks. Is there something that I'm doing wrong? The ink
cartridges are all full, so I don't think that's an issue. Is it just
not possible to get a high-gloss print like I can at the lab?

Thanks for any advice (and/or suggestions on other printers that I
might be happier with)! I really appreciate it.

Susan

Thanks everyone for all of the replies. This is really great
information. You're all so helpful! I am going to look into the Canon
i9900 and also the Epson R800 for now, and also try out some of the
different papers (on the appropriate printers) that some recommended.
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

Susan