Printing photographs at home from a digital camera has become commonplace and
everyone from the kids up to professional photographers enjoy making prints right at
home. For the family, it is easy to create photo albums and share pictures with
relatives and friends. Many new photo software packages make this process much
easier and less daunting than it used to be. For amateur and professional
photographers, the control and final look of the print can be managed right from
their desktop computer. Not more going to the lab or having multiple prints done to
see which one looks best.
What has opened the possibilities for quality home printing is the developments in
both inkjet and dye sublimation printers. Each technology has its advantages and
disadvantages. Since I use both technologies for my printing, I will share my
experiences and preferences.
Inkjet Printers. These printers have significantly improved over the last few years.
In the not too distant past, a color inkjet printer often used a tri-color cartridge with
a separate black ink tank. Now you can use models with separate ink tanks for each
color and even 8 or more color cartridges. The down side to consumer level inkjet
printers is the cost of the ink. Most smaller cartridges have an ink cost of $1 or
more per ml of ink. The advantage to a more expensive prosumer level of printer is
the cost savings in ink because this class of printer has a larger capacity tank and
the cost per ml goes down.
Today's printers come in models that can print on 8", 13", 17", 24" and higher paper
sizes. This is an important consideration since the width of the printer's ability will
determine the maximum size of the print. For instance, you can print an 8x10 photo
on most printers but you cannot print a 16x20 on a 13" printer.
Please read my review of the HP Z3100 printer here. This is an in-depth look at the
printer I now use. In this article, I discuss what went into my buying decision and
what features I considered important.
Dye Sublimation printers. These printers used to cost thousands of dollars and
were not practical for the home user. Recently, the technology has improved and
the cost has come down and this type of printer is readily available at a very
affordable price. The process does not use ink or lay down dots of ink to create a
photograph. A special ribbon with separate CMY color dye is imbedded in a carrier.
The paper used is specific to the printer and dye. As the paper and ribbon pass over
the print head, each color dye is heated and fused into the paper. Each print head
element heats to a specific temperature that controls how much of the dye is
imbedded in the paper at that point. As the three colors of the ribbon are passed
over the print head, the colors are "mixed" to produce a continuous tone color.
There is no visible dithering. The advantage to this process is the smooth rendition
of elements like skin, sky, and the bokeh or out of focus area of a print. The print
looks much like a wet processed, silver halide print. The printer specifications
usually list the print head as 300 or 314 dpi (dots per inch). It is important to know
that this does not translate into the same resolution as an inkjet printer because the
ink is not laid down as individual color dots. If you want an equivalent resolution, it
would be something over 7000 dpi but really is not the same since it is a continuous
tone device.
Since I now have a large format printer with pigment ink, I only use a Dye Sub
printer for 4x6 photos.
Inkjet Advantages:
1. Large choice of papers and paper sizes.
2. Except for printers that print large (13x19+), the cost of the printer is generally
lower.
3. Printers are light and quiet in operation.
Inkjet Disadvantages:
1. Because of dithering, some smooth areas such as sky or skin, can show a
dithering pattern. This is more noticeable to some people with keen eyesight. It has
gotten much better with new printers.
2. Ink Cost. Very high. With careful shopping, it will cost $10 or more to replace
each cartridge. Each cartridge produces a different number of prints, depending on
color, so it is difficult to figure the actual cost. You may use two light cyan
cartridges to one cyan cartridge.
3. Print stability and ruggedness vary depending on paper, type of ink, and display.
It is very easy to have a print spoiled by water droplets and scratches. There is
much controversy about the life of a print before colors change. On certain papers,
significant color shift can happen in a matter of weeks.
4. Unknown yield of ink cartridges. Because different amounts of ink are laid down
to produce different colors, the life of a cartridge is unknown. Wasted paper and ink
happen if a cartridge runs out in the middle of a print.
Dye Sublimation Advantages:
1. Continuous tone rendition of smooth areas like sky and skin. No dithering patter
visible even at magnification.
2. UV protection overcoat applied to each print that resist damage from water and
fingerprints. The clear coating is a part of the ribbon package.
3. Know and fixed costs. Each print kit will produce the stated number of prints.
Because it is a page printer, the same amount of consumables is available and
designated for each print.
4. My experience is an 8x10 or 8x12 is $1.50. Using a smaller format printer for
4x6 photos, the cost varies from .30 to .40. For an inkjet, it is $2.00 for an 8x10.
5. The final print has the look and feel of a wet processed silver halide print from a
photo lab.
Dye Sublimation Disadvantages:
1. Limited paper selection. Paper and ribbon come in a kit provided by the printer
manufacturer. There is generally a choice of glossy or matte finishes. Kits from one
manufacturer will not work in another manufacturer's printer. Matte finishes can
lose much of the contrast.
2. Size limitations. The largest print available is 8x12. Inkjets can produce 13x19
or larger prints.
3. Slightly less color gamut. I do not find this to be an issue or a problem.
4. Printers are large, heavy, and noisy.