[Dabhand16]

Five years ago I thought I'd never, well, hardly ever, print another photograph. I embraced the digital environment and used to get 700+ pictures on a 125mb card in my 3.1 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 885! I used to view them on a computer, or a TV. No more carefully stored boxes of prints and transparencies that never get seen because it is too much hassel to get to them. I was as happy as Larry.

Gradually, things change, as they do, and with the birth of my first Grand-child, I'm finding that I'm printing a lot more than I ever imagined I would. Now I know that for general purpose stuff the commercial printers will produce great results for very little cash, and it is not really economical to print your own. I do use Costco at 20p for a 9 x 7, but sometimes I want to print something NOW, or just fiddle around with an image and see the results quickly.

Now, at last, the point of this post, for those of you who have not nodded off........ I use a Canon i560 printer, and Canon inks. I'm still a bit wary of third party ink, but maybe you know better. I also use Costco (£12.50 for 125 A4 sheets glossy) and Kodak (£14-ish at Costco for two 6 x 4 75 sheet packs) paper for general purpose use.

Do any of you use an on-line supplier for ink and paper? I'm sure the ink could be got cheaper than where I get it now, and there must be some good suppliers who hold a good range of papers. Any pointers would be appreciated.

[Chris_Mitton]

I use 7day shop, but only for Canon inks.

I also use Olmec paper from 7 day shop too.

[stepheno]

Hi Graham - a good question and one I think you've put into context very well with your first couple of paragraphs. Unfortunately there is, IMO, no definitive answer but there will be thousands of views and opinions. The number of variables in home printing is great - calibration, printer, profiles, ink, paper etc, and what combination is good for one is not likely to be good for another.

I pretty much identify with your reasoning for printing, for batches I use a commercial company but for one off's I print at home on a Canon Pixma iP4000. Now to the answer, at least my opinion of the answer - I have tried any number of combinations of paper, ink etc, etc and with my kit I've got it down to using Canon Compatibles from Choicestationery.com but I use Canon Original PhotoPaper Plus, the latter I get from Ebay, sealed boxes, often BOGOF. That gives me more than acceptable prints. Hope that helps.

[stupot]

i use INKPROVIDER.COM the cheapest i've found online for genuine Epson inks, they do canon inks so check them out.

[Dabhand16]

Thanks for the replies, Peeps. Given me something to think about. I'll check out the on-line sellers. So far, for the ink, it looks like very near half of High St prices. (Hopefully not fake).

I've been pleased with the Costco own-brand paper. Around £12.50 for 125 sheets 255 g/m2 A4 glossy. Costco only do HP and Epson ink, though.

[silkstone]

stepheno - Do you use the Think+ cartridges for your printer? I've seen them advertised but have always been reluctant to move away from genuine Canon ones.

[stepheno]

Silkstone - yes I do use Think. I know I'm never going to get perfection when printing my own but I'm pleased with Think when I do.