What's the best A3 photo printer?

Question

Currently studying BTEC photography at college and loving it at the moment. I will start to build my own e-portfolio soon. I'm looking to buy an A3 photo printer and at a reasonable price. Also could you please help me out, I need an A3 portfolio folder for my photography as I am looking on going to further education after college. Serious answer please... many thanks.

Answer 1

I use an Epson R2880 - the print quality is excellent, but its greedy on inks and a set of individual ink cartridges costs around £90, so I've had mine converted to run on a continuous ink system which is far more economical.



I wouldn't say it was fragile or always needing repairs - on the contrary its been very reliable.

Answer 2

I own a hp officejet 7000. Although it is not a 'true' photo printer, the results are absolutely fantastic. Lately I have been doing a lot of photoshop work and, with the right print settings, you can get very crisp, vibrant prints. It even reproduces blacks extremely well which cannot be said about some other A3 printers (of a similar price range).



The cost of running isn't bad if you source a good cartridge supplier. As for it being fragile, mine stays in one place on the desk but even when it has been moved, it has felt very solid.



It's not the quietest machine in the world but it is not loud enough to be irritating on longer print runs.



Overall, for the price, the officejet is a brilliant printer

Answer 3

surely Epson. and purchase as high priced as you could. I at present run a 7+ year previous Epson Stylus Photo1200 then between the best of the selection printers. Ink does high priced nonetheless, i've got by no skill used 0.33 social gathering ink yet while lyson paintings i might desire to provide them a pass.

Answer 4

i have a Canon ix5000, its an incredible bit of kit. bought second hand off ebay for 40 quid. (list price £450) its worked every day for the past two years, and not so much as wrinkled a piece of paper.



the ink is horrendously expensive, SO... i found an ink supplier off ebay who was under 5miles away... he sells me 8sets, (x4 colours magenta cyan yellow black) 32carts for 50 quid. which last about a year.



i have tried other A3 printers, inc lasers, (great until you need to refil the toners) and i buy my A3paper from Germany. (agfa)

Answer 5

They are all very expensive and very fragile. They will spend more time in the repair workshop or in a company's exchange process than with you working.