Event Printer

I have been using my epson Artisan 837 printer for printing 4x6 prints at charity events. Well, it isn't working too well, the heads keep getting clogged and each time I've had to switch to my back-up printer, which is another 837...

I would like to know what printers people are using to print at events. I don't do these events for money, so buying dye subs is out of the question...Any input would be greatly appreciated.

the new shinko colorstream cs2 is only 1000 so it's not as expensive as other dye-subs. if you want reliability then these things are tanks and theyre also small and light. it's been a godsend for me. buy once cry once? i used to use an epson 3880 but that's no cheaper and it's 4-5 times slower. it's also plastic, huge and weighs a lot. i've heard of people using dual canon selfies if you want a really cheap option.

I would love to get a dye sub, just can't justify that much money on a printer that I would only use at free events.

have been using this for a while, work well in the first 2-3 years, now its acting up (5-6 of them)

http://www.sony.net …ndex.html?j-short=snaplab

From what I read the Epson Artisan 837 printer is great for the size, weight and performance. I was going to pick one up... I guess I will wait around to see if there are better recommened brand / model. Thanks for open up this thread Tom!

I was printing off 8x10 sample prints and after 5 prints two of the heads clogged...so frustrating! I was able to unclog them after about 5 cleaning cycles, but I can't afford to have this happen at an event. I found a good deal on a DNP SnapLab so I bought it.

A Friend has an older Artisan and we printed 100+ 4x6 at weddings Photobooth w. no problem, so far. That is why I am thinking of pick up the 837 as a second/backup.

I used a DNP Snaplab dye sub for the first time and I am SOLD! I'll never go back to inkjets! Not a single hiccup, didn't have to worry about ink or paper...it woked perfectly.

How much did you spent? And, which one did I you buy?

I bought; THIS one, DNP DS-SL10 Snaplab, bought a used one from a store and paid $699, paper was $79 for 400 4x6 prints.

The nice thing is that it has a built in back up if the computer or software fails, it has card readers so you don't need a computer to print.

Can dye-sub printers do lustre?

GarethLeigh wrote in post #16333311
Can dye-sub printers do lustre?

No, most will do glossy or matte on the same paper though.

ShotByTom wrote in post #16333334
No, most will do glossy or matte on the same paper though.

Thanks for the info. How do the matte vs glossy dye-sub prints look? Any preference?

To be honest, they don't look as good as paper I use in my inket (Canon Pro-100), because I prefer lustre paper. But with the dye sub I prefer the glossy finish, it's not a high gloss, it's a very subtle difference over the matte finish.

I use a DNP DS80 for 8x10's & DNP DS40 for 5x7's. No problems, love them both! I do a lot of on-site printing at events and they work flawlessly.