I have noticed that there is a general thought process that indicates that higher end printers will yield better pictures. I have also noticed that there are users who have upgraded from say a 5 tank Canon to a Pro9000 or something similar. I suspect that it was done to get better pictures and not just the larger size.
I do not want to rain on anyone's parade BUT unfortunately the potential of many of these lower end printers are hardly touched before they are given up for higher end printers. It is somewhat similar to entering a camera store and asking how to get better pictures. They will all ask how much is your budget and you're walking out with more hardware..no mention of technique. Hardly anyone talks about technique which is probably more critical most times.
Well a similar thing could be happening in printerland.
If someone wanted to get better printed pictures and was thinking of upgrading their printer, I'd ask them to think again. The first question I would pose is whether or not they had taken the time to try and use profiles. Now much photoediting software does not support color management but knowing how to use it can allow the simple printers to print much better than most ever expected.
This is likely where the stumbling block lies. Even if the user were to obtain proper printer profile, their software would not support it. In researching this stumbling block I have come to the conclusion that the least expensive way to have color management is to acquire either a used version of Photoshop Elements Ver 6 ( some folks give these away for free as this is frequently bundled with hardware the purchaser already has the full phjotoshop Free to $79)and newer or purchase Qimage ( $35). Both these software packages come with free trial periods that will allow users to "test" their printers to see if it can offer the quality they want before upgrading.
I favor Qimage if the user is already comfortable with an existing photoediting package.
Having owned numerous printers, and having gone through the ropes I will offer what I have learned in a somewhat basic way. Learning color management in a basic form is likely the most important quality improvement you will achieve and will surpasses buying better printers. After you have exhausted the potential of your current printer, then think about a printer upgrade which will yield possibly only a slight improvement over what color management had offered.
I do not want to rain on anyone's parade BUT unfortunately the potential of many of these lower end printers are hardly touched before they are given up for higher end printers. It is somewhat similar to entering a camera store and asking how to get better pictures. They will all ask how much is your budget and you're walking out with more hardware..no mention of technique. Hardly anyone talks about technique which is probably more critical most times.
Well a similar thing could be happening in printerland.
If someone wanted to get better printed pictures and was thinking of upgrading their printer, I'd ask them to think again. The first question I would pose is whether or not they had taken the time to try and use profiles. Now much photoediting software does not support color management but knowing how to use it can allow the simple printers to print much better than most ever expected.
This is likely where the stumbling block lies. Even if the user were to obtain proper printer profile, their software would not support it. In researching this stumbling block I have come to the conclusion that the least expensive way to have color management is to acquire either a used version of Photoshop Elements Ver 6 ( some folks give these away for free as this is frequently bundled with hardware the purchaser already has the full phjotoshop Free to $79)and newer or purchase Qimage ( $35). Both these software packages come with free trial periods that will allow users to "test" their printers to see if it can offer the quality they want before upgrading.
I favor Qimage if the user is already comfortable with an existing photoediting package.
Having owned numerous printers, and having gone through the ropes I will offer what I have learned in a somewhat basic way. Learning color management in a basic form is likely the most important quality improvement you will achieve and will surpasses buying better printers. After you have exhausted the potential of your current printer, then think about a printer upgrade which will yield possibly only a slight improvement over what color management had offered.
