Using an old printer

[Ink stained Fingers]

Keith Maxwell's G550 test report shows an image with a pack of Pinnacle papers, just google for 'Pinnacle photo paper' and you get here

https://www.paperspectrum.co.uk/pinnacle-photo-inkjet-paper-15-c.asp
Pinnacle offers you a free profile

that could be a starting point, and you do it again with fotospeed and other companies and get here

https://fotospeed.com/paper.html
and
https://fotospeed.com/fotospeed-photo-test-pack.html

And once you have tested varius papers and know what you can expect you may look for lower cost papers at Ebay or Amazon, you'll find plenty of no-name papers , test them and judge how the papers support your images - not all surfaces look equally good for portrait or landscape prints, it's your learning curve.

 

[raggamuffin]

Thank you for your advice. As it's my birthday soon, I'm going to be getting that printer you recommended in a couple of weeks. I'll look to get that X-Rite EODIS3PL i1Display Pro Plus to coincide with the arrival of the printer too.

It's interesting mentioning a dedicated room for printing etc. As I have visualised this as a requirement for when my skills and business grows. Especially as I intend to eventually work my way up to large format printing and scanning so that I can do my own limited edition prints of my A2 size drawings.

Ed

 

[The Hat]

But I'm sort of going into this a little blind. So I'm not sure if there's some safe options to start off with, before I branch out and explore more?

I don’t like to recommend a printer to anyone, because they have a difference use for them than I, and the same goes for paper, I never buy specialised inkjet papers, because I could get all sorts of samples from the printing industry.

Printing is great to get into but expect to make quite a few mistakes, because as you learn the right way soon grows on you, that’s the nature of the beast, but be careful because the good quality papers can cost you far more than the cost of good inks..

P.S. I bought a Pro 1 because I taught it was the right printer for me, and all dough I like it very much, it didn’t like me one bit, so we had to part and I wasn’t sorry to see it go.. I don’t know if I learned anything, except for being a Feckin eejit..

 

[raggamuffin]

Yeah, I expect there to be a lot of trial and error. But so long as I'm not too hard on myself with mistakes.

The idea of being self-sufficient is the main pull for me. However, I've always been good on computers and that all came from trial, error and being inquisitive. I think printing and Photoshop will be no different. It just feels a little more intimidating as these are professional products.

Mind you, I quickly learnt my way around CRM systems when I worked office jobs - and got to a point where I knew all sorts of shortcuts, and navigating 50/50 with mouse and keyboard (all hail the tab key). So once I'm comfortable with something I end up being able to use and navigate it switfly.

Also, trusting my artwork with strangers has never sat right with me, and where possible - I always try and go with my gut.

Ed

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

If you are considering to upgrade to the A2 format later you may skip A3 altogether, you only find printers with pigment inks in this range - Canon Pro1000 or Epson P900 or P5000.
Another valuable source for printer related reviews can be found on

https://luminous-landscape.com/home/articles/

It's behind a paywall in this case - but affordable with 12$/year, the author puts a different focus on different aspects than Keith is doing, so you can get a broader and more complete view. Just use the search function there to find your way.

 

[The Hat]

So once I'm comfortable with something I end up being able to use and navigate it switfly.

Computer are fine, but don’t ever underestimate Colour Management.. It’s not that forgiving..

 

[raggamuffin]

Found the printer £50 cheaper than Canon site. So that's been bought and will be unboxed on my birthday on the 5th.

I am also, currently the highest bidder on a used, but unopened colour calibrator. Listing ends in 24 hours, so fingers crossed.

Ed

 

[The Hat]

Found the printer £50 cheaper than Canon site. So that's been bought and will be unboxed on my birthday on the 5th.

I am also, currently the highest bidder on a used, but unopened colour calibrator. Listing ends in 24 hours, so fingers crossed.

Now remember to walk and use patience as your guide, and don’t go running in the school yard..

 

[raggamuffin]

Saved £75 on the colour calibrator. Won the eBay listing/bidding.

Happy times.

Ed

 

[websnail]

Saved £75 on the colour calibrator. Won the eBay listing/bidding.

I was just going to say that it's well worth getting sample paper packs from suppliers and trying out the results with a test image that covers a lot of the colours and gradients you want to see in your images. I use online paper company myself (believe they're now owned by Permajet?) but I believe Purely Paper may also be a potential source.

Oh and top tip with sample packs... take the time to go through and mark the back of each with the paper type/weight.etc... BEFORE you use them. That way you can identify the ruddy things later on. Most of the papers are not marked in this way and I've been caught out too many times to find it funny..

Good luck!