Printing questions!

[Former_Member]

I've been doing a lot of research into printing our cards and prints at home. We've worked a bit with a local print shop, but there's really nothing in our area that is really working for us. We're happy with what we have right now, but we're also wanting to do something a bit more unique and use paper that is something our local printer (and probably anyone online) isn't able to provide.

Do any of you have experience with doing prints (preferably design prints) at home with either the Epson ARTISAN 1430 or the Canon PIXMA ix6520 or do you have a large format printer you'd recommend? We're looking at printing on a matte stock with some speckling (100% recycled woo!) and I'm excited and thinking this will be gorgeous, but I also don't want to screw it up because it's not cheap. I'm just having a hard time trusting anyone else to do the prints for me. Any designers understand this? Any suggestions at all would be SO very appreciated!

[Former_Member]

I so wish I could help! I've been struggling with the same thing. I'm currently printing with an Epson 400 series because I can't find anything else with a back feed tray that I'm satisfied with. It works for small runs on heavy recycled card stock, slowly but surely. And I'm in the same boat as you I don't really want to outsource my printing.

I can only contribute that both of the printers you mentioned are on my radar, in my research they've been the most highly recommended for what we want to do.

[Former_Member]

Hey Lena! I missed your reply yesterday. Anyway, yesterday we decided to invest in the Epson Artisan 1430, and it is wonderful so far. It exceeds everything we've received through outsourcing by leaps and bounds!

Now we just have to figure out where we can get the paper we'd like (French Paper Co. Madero Beach, yummy!) in Canada. That's turning out to be a pain in the butt.

[Former_Member]

Congrats! I know how exciting new hardware can be. :) What kind of print speeds are you getting on the 1430? I'm going to have to make the leap eventually but I'm taking my time deciding which way to go!

[TomRyansStudio]

I think that's a good choice. I have an Epson 1400 now for... over 10 years? Ive had it for awhile. And its still working amazing. I love the quality it prints and would always recommend Epson for printing.

[LionheartGraphics1]

I recently invested in a Canon Pixma Pro-100, and I was blown away by the quality! Matte and Semi-gloss photo papers look beautiful, and it prints up to 13x19". Not sure how it takes heavier papers, as I haven't gotten the opportunity to try yet. What are the favorite papers you guys have tried?

[ShawnCarneyArt]

I'm using an Epson Stylus Pro 3880 and I love it. It prints gallery-quality color and black-and-white up to 17" x 22" using archival inks. It has three different feed trays for flat board printing, heavy art paper printing and standard printing. It's an investment, but Epson is always running sales and rebates, so keep an eye out and save yourself $200-400. Good luck!