Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Just wanted to ask anybody in here who are doing their own printing business at home.

Is there really a big difference of savings as oppose to having it printed outside (e.q. Walmart, Costco, Blacks..etc). I am thinking of doing my own printing but would need to evaluate this move hence I am asking for TPMG users advise as I always find the comments and tips useful in here...

I mostly get orders of 4X6 or 5X7 prints and a couple of 8X10s here and there....

hope to get tips and advises on the type of printer to purchase ( please not the high end one - budget of $100 - $300, papers, ink cartridges.. etc. ) OR should I forget the home printing if my budget is only around these range?

again...thanks for taking the time to comment and advise..

The output from a home inkjet printer is different and potentially much better than discount/non-pro print labs, provided you colour calibrate your work flow.

Control is the main reason to print for yourself rather than leave things to chance with a lab that may not be properly calibrated or have the operator isn't properly trained. It's a matter of control and not cost savings unless you are spending significantly more then $300 a year on printing.

If you print infrequently then it might not be worthwhile because print heads get clogged and need to be cleaned/cleared = wasted ink = money.

Google 'cost per page inkjet' to find some interesting articles and studies done on the economics of inkjet printing...

@ ken... hmmm... thats a valid point to think about, I did notice that I dont get that much print orders... its more on the digital copy request (which I dont mind, less worry to think about.. )

thanks for the google tip.. I'll browse through the results of it..