OT - Wide Printer?

I confess I change printers more often that I change calendars; they just don't live very long around here and it's certainly not from heavy work or mistreatment. However . . . on this journey, why don't you check with UPS and Staples and whoever and see what they charge for copies larger than 8.5 wide? It's not like you're going to be needing large paper every Tuesday . . . and maybe, maybe, the copy shop could attain an accuracy that maybe you couldn't without a whole lot of testing. Just a thought. Polly

In message , Bev in TX writes

My sons bought me a Brother DCP6690Cw printer scanner for Christmas last year. It prints A3 size as well as A4. Enlarges from A4 to A3. Also can put camera memory cards in to print photographs off. Not used that function yet. I find it very useful for my family history. Shirley

May I ask what brand(s) of printer had the problems? My DH had a lot of problems with Epson printers recently. He also tried an HP Office Jet, that was mostly DOA. He liked the 2-sided printing on the HP, so he hated returning it (I read a lot of bad things about that machine after he purchased it).

I need a new printer as the one I currently have is very old and has few options on it. I'm finding difficulties with drivers for a non-Windows OS. I have not options what-so-ever -- not even whether I want to print in draft mode. Since ink is the major printer cost, I figure that it is more cost effective to purchase a new printer than to stay with the old one.

Regarding using a copy shop, I live far from a copy center, so I would have to factor in fuel/car costs as well as travel time (1.5 hours just for the round trip). It can be inconvenient to be in the middle of a project and unable to continue because I messed up my last PP printout (and I don't like having to draw them by hand!). I generally print my designs via software or PDF files, so accuracy is not an issue.

I've worked on quite a few projects on which I had to tape sheets of paper together, so I am certain that a wide printer would be useful for other activities in the future.

Thanks, I'll be sure to investigate it.

I have no idea. Usually I am a careful shopper; buy the best, take care of it and keep whatever forever. Except: printers. I wish I could help you choose a fine printer; I've just never met one. Polly

"Bev in TX" May I ask what brand(s) of printer had the problems?

Bev I really miss the HP wide format printer I used to have. Currently I have an Epson 3-in-one color jet and a Brother duplex laser jet hooked up to my computer. I am not happy with the Epson but it sometimes works. Biggest problem is that the print heads tend to clog if you don't print in color a lot. sigh. With the HPs I don't have that problem because the print heads are part of the cartridge (???) or that is what I have been told. Cleaning the heads on the Epson runs through a lot of ink fast, with no guarantee of success.

However, do not put anything on the paper feed tray of your printer, except paper. Having a necklace chain try to go through really messes up the feed rollers! Not to mention ruining the chain. sigh.

Have fun, Pati, in Phx

The HP wide-format Model 5100TN Laserjet Printer or the HP HP Photosmart 8750 Large-Format Professional Photo Printer.

-Irene

Thanks Irene, I'll be sure to investigate those.