A Canon dealer let me demo the new i9900 printer... I wonder about longevity of the prints vs the epsons. Does anyone know anything about spraying ink jets prints with some type of "sealer" in order to stabalize?
I don't know. I know that some framing shops, like Aaron Brothers, have photo mounting options that mount the photo to a fiber board or MDF, bevel the edges, then apply a protective coating to the photo. Its a neat option to framing. I think the coating helps provide the UV protection glass normally does. But I didn't think to ask if the process helps ink jet prints.
I would call Aaron Brothers or a Michael's. Both have options to spray photos, they might know if they work with ink jet prints, and what benefit it provides.
The one thing I do like about Epson is their large selection of paper compared to Canon and HP. I recently tried their professional luster paper on my R200. I am very, very impressed.
Speaking of, what is the process used by EZ Prints (which does the smugmug prints). I know they use Fuji printers, but that is all I know. Is it a photographic process, or a print process?
Epson response
I emailed Epson about longevity and coating issues with their printers (I especially mentioned the R200):
Longevity without noticeable fading should be around 20 years. We have not done any official tests at this point. Although we do not support spraying prints it is becoming a common practice.
Not reall sure this answers the question about spraying inkjet prints to improve stability, but it was the best answer I got from them.
I emailed Epson about longevity and coating issues with their printers (I especially mentioned the R200):
Longevity without noticeable fading should be around 20 years. We have not done any official tests at this point. Although we do not support spraying prints it is becoming a common practice.
Not reall sure this answers the question about spraying inkjet prints to improve stability, but it was the best answer I got from them.
Thanks Bill. I would love to get my hands on a comparison print from the Epson 4000 to compare with the Canon i9900. I don't think that the longevity issue is really settled. Its hard to get a firm answer from anyone. I think I'll get the lab to print out a print on their Epson 9600 (not sure about the #, anyway the big dog printer and see how they compare. I'll post the results.
Thanks Bill. I would love to get my hands on a comparison print from the Epson 4000 to compare with the Canon i9900. I don't think that the longevity issue is really settled. Its hard to get a firm answer from anyone. I think I'll get the lab to print out a print on their Epson 9600 (not sure about the #, anyway the big dog printer and see how they compare. I'll post the results.
I am sure you are familiar with Wilhelm Research, which is the company usually quoted in regrd to inkjet print longevity. Here is a link to studies for the R4000. As usual, longevity depends precisely on which paper and which ink as well as storage characteristics.
Comments
I don't know. I know that some framing shops, like Aaron Brothers, have photo mounting options that mount the photo to a fiber board or MDF, bevel the edges, then apply a protective coating to the photo. Its a neat option to framing. I think the coating helps provide the UV protection glass normally does. But I didn't think to ask if the process helps ink jet prints.
I would call Aaron Brothers or a Michael's. Both have options to spray photos, they might know if they work with ink jet prints, and what benefit it provides.
The one thing I do like about Epson is their large selection of paper compared to Canon and HP. I recently tried their professional luster paper on my R200. I am very, very impressed.
Speaking of, what is the process used by EZ Prints (which does the smugmug prints). I know they use Fuji printers, but that is all I know. Is it a photographic process, or a print process?
A former sports shooter
Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
My Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mercphoto?ref=hdr_shop_menu
I emailed Epson about longevity and coating issues with their printers (I especially mentioned the R200):
Longevity without noticeable fading should be around 20 years. We have not done any official tests at this point. Although we do not support spraying prints it is becoming a common practice.
Not reall sure this answers the question about spraying inkjet prints to improve stability, but it was the best answer I got from them.
A former sports shooter
Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
My Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mercphoto?ref=hdr_shop_menu
TML Photography
tmlphoto.com
http://www.wilhelm-research.com/
Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin