determining suitable printers for 4x6 photo printing
determining suitable printers for 4x6 photo printing
I own an Epson XP-640 inkjet printer. Its main use is printing 4x6 photos, which I only do about a week each year. It also prints documents occasionally, but not daily. The machine tends to sit idle for long periods. Recently it has been having printing issues with missing lines. I tried cleaning it myself, using new cartridges, but nothing changed. Another observation is that it seems to consume ink quickly. I believe this might be because it runs the self-cleaning function automatically.
For most of the year, it isn’t used very often, which is one reason I was considering switching to a laser printer. However, I’m concerned about the quality of 4x6 photos printed on it. It’s not necessary for professional results, but still needs to look decent. We take pictures with Santa, so I wonder how much of a difference there really is in quality. Can you compare photos printed from each type? Are there laser printers that work well with glossy 4x6 paper?
The main drawback of a laser printer is the cost. After researching online, the cheapest color laser seems to be around $500. I wasn’t planning to spend that much, but it might be worth considering in the long term. Some suggest opting for an Epson ecotank inkjet, but since it isn’t used much, that option feels less appealing. I’m unsure if I could print once a week or so, which makes it hard to remember. It’s really confusing what to decide. Would it be okay to test a laser printer with a 4x6 photo? Are any stores open to that?
Consider purchasing a medium quality inkjet printer. Utilize it during the holiday season. After completion, perform a few cleaning cycles, take out the carts, and store it until the following year. Alternatively, replace it with a new one or fresh carts next year. For daily tasks, opt for a laser printer. Based on my experience, there isn't a single printer that fully satisfies all your requirements. A color laser under $500 is possible. I own a Brother MFC-L3770CDW, which cost me around $400 last year. It produces acceptable color prints, enough for my annual holiday cards, but it wouldn't be suitable for a customer paying for the service.
Sort of, but not quite as effective as good inkjet.
I've used a variety of both.
Inkjets perform better than lasers when it comes to photos.
Inkjets cost more per print.
For this rare photo need, consider an online service or OfficeMax (or your local option), and a budget-friendly laser for regular use.
Consider purchasing a medium quality inkjet printer. Utilize it during the holiday season. After completion, perform a few cleaning cycles, take out the carts, and store it until the following year. Alternatively, replace it with a new one or fresh carts next year. For daily tasks, opt for a laser printer. Based on my experience, there isn't a single printer that fully satisfies all your requirements. A color laser under $500 is feasible. I own a Brother MFC-L3770CDW, which cost me around $400 last year. It produces acceptable color prints, enough for my annual holiday cards. However, it wouldn't be suitable for a customer paying for the service.