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Q. Postcard printers
Asked by stefan streefkerk (K=113) on 3/11/2007

I have a question about printing postcards. Does anyone print professional postcards on a home-based printer? And what printer can u recommend? I have a HP PSC 2170 All-in One but i'm not sure if this is a good one for printing thick card stock paper. There's so many printers to choose from and i need one of good quality that's not too expensive. I have a question about printing postcards. Does anyone print professional postcards on a home-based printer? And what printer can u recommend? I have a HP PSC 2170 All-in One but i'm not sure if this is a good one for printing thick card stock paper. There's so many printers to choose from and i need one of good quality that's not too expensive. Also what's the big difference between the machines printing companies use (printing press) and a regular printer? I would appreciate your help very much. Thanks in advance.

Joe Johnson (K=7893) - Comment Date 3/12/2007

You can use oil based ink on various papers. For the water-based, your inkjet, it may require something more specific. But some of those glossy sheets that the printer manufacturers label are pretty thick. In addition, you could always use a cold laminator like the scrapbookers use to build up the paper with other sheets before cutting with a good shear. Never done it, but if I had to start somewhere . . .

I like the ip4300 from Canon, basically because they're giving it away on ebay. The shipping costs more than the printer. And the results, on Canon photo glossy, even matte, are excellent. And the printer has both a small physical footprint and a small installation overhead. It's a little noisy, but there is a 'quiet mode'. And just bracing the printer, after that, maybe with a foam 'pillow' against your monitor, should take care of the rest.

stefan streefkerk (K=113) - Comment Date 3/12/2007

Thanks for your advice Joe :)

Roger Jefferson (K=277) - Comment Date 8/4/2007

If you're not going to need to print hundreds at a time you might look into one of the Sony or Kodak 4x6 dye-subs. I use a Sony DPP-FP30 and have found that the print quality and durability are excellent and very hard to rip or mangle. The paper actually has the standard postcard setup on the back complete with the spot to put a postage stamp.

These printers aren't for mass production. I use mine for creating personalized postcards when on vacation or when I shoot something I find particularly appropriate for using as a postcard.

Good luck.
Roger

Dave Arnold

(K=55654) - Comment Date 10/15/2007

Are you looking at mass producing post cards? (and I don't mean by the thousands, maybe 25 at a time?)

I have yet to buy from these people but a place on the web called Vistaprint.com custom makes them... their normal price is 100 post cards (standard size) for $24.99 but since I signed on with them, they constantly are sending me offers for less.

The only drawback is that you may not have the ability to control the back of the card, i.e. give a description of the photo and photographer credit.

They also sell biz cards, greeting cards, note cards, etc. It was the best prices I could find on the web.

Since my photos went into a gallery for sale last month, I'm finding it is really cheaper to outsource all kinds of printing instead of printing them on my Epson R1800, including prints/cards etc. Ink will kill you.

Dave

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