Give a credit

Michele Rushworth · 10-24-2005, 06:23 PM

I use an Epson R300 inkjet printer (which costs around $100) at home, with Costco photo paper (costs around $20 for 125 sheets). I use this printer and paper to print thank you cards, notecards for clients, 8x10 printouts for my portfolio, samples of my work to mail to prospective clients, my business cards and photo reference to paint from. In short, it's a real workhorse. The ink isn't cheap (I spend many times more than the cost of the printer on ink over the course of a year) but it's worth it to have complete control over the quality and quantity of what I print.

Joan Breckwoldt · 10-24-2005, 08:08 PM

Dear Michele,

Thank you for that helpful information. We have an 'hp deskjet 5150' that we've tried to print postcard type things on, even with special paper and the special ink catridge, and didn't have good results.

But . . . what you have does sound like a real workhorse, and a reasonable start-up cost, then costs going up as needed. I was thinking of having some postcards printed from modernpostcards but for the cost of 500 cards and envelopes from them, I could have a printer that I can make my own cards on. Honestly, I don't need 500 postcards and if I did, then it would be reasonalbe to have them done at modernpostcards. I'm having a 'show' at our church in January and February so I thought it would be nice to have some postcard sized notecards with my name and number on the back.

How wonderful to be able to print up 10 postcards at a time.

I'm not sure if we have a Costco here in Houston, and if we do I'm not a member. Probably photo paper from the local Office Depot would work. We probably have some around here from our previous failed attempts with this deskjet printer.

Thank you Michele, you are always so helpful and generous with your time.

Can't wait to go out and get a new printer. (Saving my husband more money!

)

Joan

Joan Breckwoldt · 10-24-2005, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michele Rushworth

. . . . photo reference to paint from.

Michele,

I reread your post and hadn't noticed you could even print photo references from the printer. It must be very good quality! Last week and this week alone I've spent almost $40 just on having some 8"x10" prints made at the local CVS for reference photos.

Wow, I'm excited to learn about this printer. Thanks again Michele,

Joan

(If only it would make dinner . . .)

Joan Breckwoldt · 10-24-2005, 08:21 PM

Michele,

I can't find the Epson R300 at the Office Depot website. They have lots of printers but not that model number. Is it a 'stylus color' printer? They just don't have one listed as R300. Would you mind giving me any other info that might be on the printer? I realize that if your printer is more than 3 months old (!) they have probably come out with a new model and I probably can't find the exact same thing. There's an RX100 but that's about the closest I can come.

Sorry to be such a bother but what you have sounds so great.

thanks,
Joan

Joan Breckwoldt · 10-24-2005, 08:52 PM

Looks like I found it. Epson Stylus Photo R300 Inkjet printer. Office Max and Circuit City have it, according to the web.

Thanks again Michele,

Joan

Cynthia Daniel · 10-25-2005, 02:16 PM

I've had good experience doing color prints on HP's glossy brochure paper. I don't know anything about the printer being discussed or it's DPI, but in general, a higher DPI printer should yield better results, provided you've also scanned at a higher DPI.

There are some places on the web where you can get recycled cartridges for much less. Once in a while you'll get one that doesn't work, but I've had pretty good success.

Carol Morimoto · 10-30-2005, 09:28 AM

Hi, Everyone,

Just noticed this thread and wanted to let you all know about 101ink.com. You can save a bundle on inks there and the quality is very high. We use an Epson 785EPX photo printer and have also found the Costco photo papers to be excellent. My husband is a commercial photographer who sends many, many mailings, so he is extremely particular about the quality of the work he is presenting.

Carol

Michele Rushworth · 10-30-2005, 10:32 AM

Thanks for the suggestions about inks, Cynthia and Carol. I will take a look. I do spend a bundle on that stuff. I have had bad luck in the past with third party inks that made a mess of the printer, and have heard about some other brands that contained far less ink as a way of keeping the costs down. I'm ready to take another look at a source for less expensive supplies!

Joan Breckwoldt · 10-30-2005, 02:42 PM

My printer arrived, I got the R300 from epson.com. It was $125 with free shipping. It's still in the box downstairs, now I need to get it set up.

Next I need to head over to OfficeMax or Office Depot and find some suitable paper to send out a few notecards. I don't belong to Costco.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynthia Daniel

I've had good experience doing color prints on HP's glossy brochure paper.

Thanks Cynthia for your input. I'll just go take a look at our office supply places and see what they have in the way of glossy paper.

Anybody else have any paper suggestions for notecards?

thanks,

Joan

Terri Ficenec · 10-30-2005, 11:00 PM

Joan--
Avery makes nice note card stock. I've had bad luck with cheaper versions (sometimes they don't fold straight/evenly and just look sloppy).

If you're looking for something a little fancier in terms of card stock, the office supply store near us has a section with printer stationary for weddings. . . Some of the blank wedding invitation stock is very classy looking and reasonably priced.

The HP glossy brochure stock is a little pricey, but worth it! It's heavier than just glossy paper and scored for folds, takes color beautifully.