Ink Jet or Dye Sub?

Folks . . . I could use some printing advice. I haven't provided clients with prints that I created myself since I dismantled and sold off my darkroom. I tried doing personal photo prints (scanned from drug store colour prints) on an inkjet back in '95, and while the results were okay, I didn't like the fact that one drop of water could ruin a print.

I'm now using a little dye sub Selphy for personal snapshots, and I'm thrilled with the little thing (except for the part where the blacks aren't always black enough). I have a Brother inkjet (cheap, garbage, but works fine for documents http://www.brother.ca …/productdetail/​mfcj6710dw), which I would never try to print photos on.

I'm now in the position where I've become frustrated relying on others for my prints. Right now this is just to make life easier for me (my volume is presently low), but over the next few years printing will become a larger part of my business: through sports tournaments, photobooths, and custom order print packages.

I'm thinking that a 6" dye sub would be the way to go for events (I'm specifically looking at the Shinko Color Stream CS2 6" Printer), but that won't allow me to do larger prints: 8x10, 8x12, etc.

I could go with an ink jet for larger prints . . . but I'm pretty concerned about what happens when an ink jet print meets with liquids. The Epson Stylus Pro 4900 appeals to me, as it will takes rolls as well as cut sheets.

I could really use some direction.

if worrying about water is all it is, why not coat the prints? or put them behind glass in a frame?

boerewors wrote in post #16698706
if worrying about water is all it is, why not coat the prints? or put them behind glass in a frame?

Because until you mentioned coating inkjet prints, I didn't know it was something that was done. I'll do some digging on Google to find out more about the process.

My photo printing knowledge is practically Jurassic.

DNP makes a great pair of printers that are great for the things you mentioned, portable and great quality. A bit pricey, but they are great printers....

DNP DS40 4x6 & 5x7
DNP DS80 8x10

ShotByTom wrote in post #16698981
DNP makes a great pair of printers that are great for the things you mentioned, portable and great quality. A bit pricey, but they are great printers....

DNP DS40 4x6 & 5x7
DNP DS80 8x10

Hmm. It looks like the only DNP printer that I have access to locally is the DNP SnapLab Digital Photo Printer. It does 4″x6″, 5″x7″, 4″x8″. But, it is at the store I prefer to frequent.

Another local shop carries several Shinko dye sub printers, but that shop is the Devil to deal with.

I'll have to chat with the company that sells us our large format plotters (for my "day job") to see if they carry anything.

neacail wrote in post #16698649
Folks . . . I could use some printing advice. I haven't provided clients with prints that I created myself since I dismantled and sold off my darkroom. I tried doing personal photo prints (scanned from drug store colour prints) on an inkjet back in '95, and while the results were okay, I didn't like the fact that one drop of water could ruin a print.

I'm now using a little dye sub Selphy for personal snapshots, and I'm thrilled with the little thing (except for the part where the blacks aren't always black enough). I have a Brother inkjet (cheap, garbage, but works fine for documents http://www.brother.ca …/productdetail/​mfcj6710dw), which I would never try to print photos on.

I'm now in the position where I've become frustrated relying on others for my prints. Right now this is just to make life easier for me (my volume is presently low), but over the next few years printing will become a larger part of my business: through sports tournaments, photobooths, and custom order print packages.

I'm thinking that a 6" dye sub would be the way to go for events (I'm specifically looking at the Shinko Color Stream CS2 6" Printer), but that won't allow me to do larger prints: 8x10, 8x12, etc.

I could go with an ink jet for larger prints . . . but I'm pretty concerned about what happens when an ink jet print meets with liquids. The Epson Stylus Pro 4900 appeals to me, as it will takes rolls as well as cut sheets.

I could really use some direction.

Among the best dye sublimation photo printers is the Olympus P-400, which is an older model.

Canon still makes some very good inkjet photo printers, which shine when you use them with Canon 's photo glossy paper.

If you worry about getting prints wet, it's hard to think of any sort of print or paper that will ease your concerns. When I was selling prints on demand, I put the prints in an office sheet protector before presenting them to a customer.

I use the DNP Snaplab printer for events and it works great. It also has a built-in back up, it has card readers built in to it. The only problem is that it was discontinued by DNP in January, so I don't know how that will effect the media supplies..

DC Fan wrote in post #16699053
If you worry about getting prints wet, it's hard to think of any sort of print or paper that will ease your concerns. When I was selling prints on demand, I put the prints in an office sheet protector before presenting them to a customer.

I check out everything you've mentioned. Thank you.

I dumped a glass of water on one my of my Sephy prints last night, and I was really pleased with what happened when I quickly dried the water up: nothing.

When I dunked the print in a glass of water, and then pulled it out and quickly dried it, the top film did start to lift on the edges. The print was a bit worse for wear this morning by the time it had completely dried, but it held up pretty well considering what I did to it.

I'm actually really pleased with the abuse that the print from the Sephy took.

Now I just have to see about coating an inkjet print to see what kind of abuse it can take.

ShotByTom wrote in post #16699073
I use the DNP Snaplab printer for events and it works great. It also has a built-in back up, it has card readers built in to it. The only problem is that it was discontinued by DNP in January, so I don't know how that will effect the media supplies..

On the DNP website, it indicates that they're re-introducing it. http://www.dnpphoto.co​m/event-photography/snaplab/ Maybe they received a lot of flack for discontinuing it, or maybe their website hasn't been updated?

neacail wrote in post #16699094
I check out everything you've mentioned. Thank you.

I dumped a glass of water on one my of my Sephy prints last night, and I was really pleased with what happened when I quickly dried the water up: nothing.

When I dunked the print in a glass of water, and then pulled it out and quickly dried it, the top film did start to lift on the edges. The print was a bit worse for wear this morning by the time it had completely dried, but it held up pretty well considering what I did to it.

I'm actually really pleased with the abuse that the print from the Sephy took.

Now I just have to see about coating an inkjet print to see what kind of abuse it can take.


On the DNP website, it indicates that they're re-introducing it. http://www.dnpphoto.co​m/event-photography/snaplab/ Maybe they received a lot of flack for discontinuing it, or maybe their website hasn't been updated?

Unfortunately it hasn't been updated. They bought Sony Dye Subs and re-introduced the Sony Snaplab, which was a very popular printer. The other bad thing about the Snaplab is that DNP refuses to create a Mac print driver, so you can only use it on Windows based computers..