Colour Laser Printers

[JSR]

Hmm, a brand new forum. Think I'll find a patch of beach with no footprints in the sand and make my mark...

I recently had to replace my colour laser printer and, while researching, realised that there's very little info around about them. Everyone seems very dismissive when it comes to printing a photo on a CLP (even this forum is called "ink jet photo printers") despite the fact that modern lasers are well up to the task of printing photo-quality images. Their only downside seems to be the inability to handle photo-weight papers and the lack of gloss. Oh, and less tweaking available for the pros.

Does anyone have any experience with colour lasers, or are the terms "photo printing" and "laser" still deemed to be mutually exclusive?

JSR

[Ian]

Re: Colour Laser Printers

Hmm, a brand new forum. Think I'll find a patch of beach with no footprints in the sand and make my mark...

I recently had to replace my colour laser printer and, while researching, realised that there's very little info around about them. Everyone seems very dismissive when it comes to printing a photo on a CLP (even this forum is called "ink jet photo printers") despite the fact that modern lasers are well up to the task of printing photo-quality images. Their only downside seems to be the inability to handle photo-weight papers and the lack of gloss. Oh, and less tweaking available for the pros.

Does anyone have any experience with colour lasers, or are the terms "photo printing" and "laser" still deemed to be mutually exclusive?

JSR

Hi JSR - welcome to the new place!

HP and Xerox are trialling retail kit for in-store photo album printing using specially modified laser printers, but the quality still lacks the polish of a 'real' photo.

Part of the problem is the coarse dot screen that colour laser printers produce and the colour gamut looks poor as well. Ink jet is way ahead in all these respects.

Have you got your new laser? How do you think it rates as a photo printer? Some manufacturers now fit their lasers with PictBridge USB ports for direct photo printing from cameras.

Ian

[JSR]

[Bob Ross]

Re: Colour Laser Printers

Hi JSR,
A few years ago I had some conversations with a friend who is the secretary for an association with about 800 members and he produced the news letter. He said laser printing was the only way to go for him and the pictures at the size in the publication were very good. He did use his LP for personal photo printing and was quite happy. He told me things that I never knew, so I hope you continue your input here. Folks who do any volume printing or maybe avoid it with inkjets, would be interested.
Bob

[JSR]

[JSR]

Re: Colour Laser Printers

Just a quick follow-up to this. When I was on the lookout for a colour laser a month ago, I asked around for print samples. Only Konica-Minolta replied promptly.

Today, I've just received print samples and brochures from Xerox. Sadly, regardles of that I think of their prints, they're about three weeks late.

Oh well...