BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Colored Laser printers

ok...could someone please tell me if you can get a GREAT photograph printed from a colored laser printer? If so which do I need to purchase in order for the qaulity to be compatible with the Epson 2200 (I hear such good things about!)

I've read that laser printers are cheaper to operate than inkjet. (toners lasting longer than ink cartridges).

I have a nice inkjet now and have to replace my ink cartridges each month and I do not even print off pictures with it yet.

To love this question, log in above
June 06, 2005

To love this comment, log in above
June 07, 2005

I have every book the library had on the subject of digital photography and each book only spoke of "inkjets". I thought it may have been just outdated information until I came upon Jeff Wignall's brand new book and he never mentioned laser printers. (I gotta buy this book! hahaha)

I thought the more expensive (laser) printer would be better because it actually puts the image into the paper where as inkjet sprays it on....

this very reason could be why laser is not the best for photo printing.

so those "continous inking systems" you mentioned are like bottles of seperate inks you poor in?

I have an (office) HP 4 in 1 printer that I use now and beyond sticking the colored or Black cartridge in I have no idea....

Thanks so much
Deb

To love this comment, log in above
June 07, 2005

Color saturation:
Basically, the color calibration of laser printer is based on common paper (80~100 gsm) before delivery. If increase paper thickness such as the paper of conventional development system is over 180 gsm, the color saturation will be reduced. How to increase both of paper thickness and color saturation at same time?

Printing speed:
Slow down printing speed can take more time for toner transfer, avoid paper jam and increase color saturation. In the market, there are different types such as 4~5 ppm (pages per minute), 16 ppm and over 20 ppm. Fortunately, printing speed is possible to be controlled by selection icon of paper material. Recommend the setting of laser printer is 106~163 gsm to slow down printing speed!

Paper polarity:
Thank to the toner is negative polarity of almost laser printers. Use the paper with positive polarity for laser printing and it is possible to conduct more toner and increase color saturation as well.

Thermal stress:
Many people recommend inkject glossy photo paper or premium paper for laser photographic printing. Be careful! The heating temperature of fuser can rise up to 200 degree C during printing. The potential risk of thermal stress is possible to melt-down the coating material of paper surface or crack happening. Particular, printing is operating at low speed. Thickness again! The thickness of those products is over 80~100 gsm.

Moisture:
Moisture tends to make pulp fibre expansion, raising paper thickness and uneven roughness. Coating skill perhaps is one of solutions to isolate moisture in air. Apply synthetic paper to replace pulp paper is a good alternative to resist moisture completely.

Resolution:
Due to toner is dry powder in natural, the paper has no connection with resolution. The image resolution is decided by printer engine and printing language. 600 x 600 dpi can offer remarkable picture image quality. 1200 x 1200 and 2400 x 2400 dpi also increase more grades of gray level and improve better cubic effect.

Glossy:
Keep in mind! Toner is dry powder. Whatever your paper is high glossy or brightness, the surface of photo paper is covered by toner after printing. If it can present glossy, that means the toner density is not enough and the color of printing quality is very light. Actually, toner embraces wax inside and it can offer brightness after printer.

Testing:
The testing had done with HP CLJ 2500/2550/5500, EPSON Aculaser C900/C1100/ 1900/C3000/C4000 and Konica Minolta magicolor 23xx.

Norman Chen

To love this comment, log in above
June 27, 2005

After your testing using the different HP and Epson's...what is your favorite for great photo printing?

I really appreciate all the time it took to answer the above question.

THanks
Deb

To love this comment, log in above
June 27, 2005

I heard joke that is the printer starts to ask money for consumables such as ink, toner and paper till to this printer die since plugging the power cord with power supply. My work is going to improve photo paper and print photography by laser printer because this is market niche.

The most challenge is how to develop a universal photo paper to meet difference designing of future printers such as the positive voltage between OPC drum and paper, heating temperature, printing speed etc.

It is very difficulty to comment in public. Somehow, in North America, you can not find EPSON laser printers. The price of HP 2550L is reasonable at this moment corresponding to 600 x 600 dpi with PCL 6 printing language to enhance gray level of low end printer. Meanwhile we can get cheap consumables from recycling cartridge & refilling toner companies.

Best Regards.

Norman Chen

To love this comment, log in above
June 27, 2005