I find myself printing maybe 10 full D size sheets a month and the closest print shop was 30 miles away, so I ended up buying a Canon iPF 670 a little over a year ago and so far so good. No problems whatsoever, prints in color?ÿand the prints seems to be very good quality.
I replaced my 14 year old HP100 with a T120. I've had it almost 2 years.?ÿ
I'm pleased with the printer. Granted, I don't print very often.
I think it was around $675. I later purchased an extra roll spindle so I don't have to switch out for paper type.
A friend bought the comparable Canon printer and had major problems with it.
?ÿ
Jim,
My local Office Max/Office Depot charges about $5 for B/W, $7 for color on 24"x36"?ÿbond paper. They use ink jets.
They can print on photo paper and they charge fees in the range you mention.
I use a dedicated print shop for Mylar and I think the fees were about what your Kinkos is charging for paper.
Good luck with your choice.
JA, PLS SoCal
It looks like Office Depot might be the best deal available to me for service bureau printing.?ÿ I tried a local mom-and-pop shop, and they did a great job with B&W prints at only $1.25 a sheet for 24"x36", but they want $18 for color.?ÿ I haven't give up on the 450C yet, I have a line on some NOS cartridges (thanks, Charles!) that may allow me to limp along for awhile printing in-house.?ÿ It's hard to beat that for convenience.
I bought an HP500 in 2001 and I am still using it. I bought a continuous ink system for it. I just buy bulk ink and keep feeding it as the levels get low. I've had very few problems with it. Mainly the belt will wear out every 6-10 years. I've replaced it three times. Pretty simple fix.
With the continuous ink system the cost per print in minimal.
I bought my first plotter last year. A Canon IPF670e. It's pretty slow but the quality is good and it was less than $1000.
Gregg
It turns out that the best deal available to me was the offer from Charles Dowdell.?ÿ The cartridges I bought from him at a very reasonable price have me plotting in color again.?ÿ It's not a long-term solution, but I'm happy to put the decision off for another year or so.?ÿ Thanks, Charles!
Looks like the 450C has several places to buy cheap ink cartridges. Cartridges for the newer Plotters can cost more than the plotter.
I'd nurse that 450C as long as you can. It doesn't get any cheaper than that.
