Pigment printers any good?

[Chillybean]

My OH is interested in art and says she would like to buy a pigment printer, we already have a newish (<12months) canon dye printer. Before she mentioned it, I had never heard of pigment printers so what is the big advantage? and are they expensive to run on ink.?

 

[wmrcomputers]

Pigment is completely different to dye, but some printers can use either types of ink. Yes pigment is more expensive.

Pigment - longer lasting, more resistant to fading. Better for transparencies. NEGATIVE - colours not as bright as dye.
Dye - doesn't last as long, so not suited to archival as much. POSITIVE - brighter colours (when fresh). NEGATIVE - a drop of water makes it run.

My general advice - if printing photo's that won't be overly exposed to sunlight or that don't need to last forever - CHOOSE DYE.
If you want to print on unusual media types such as transparencies, or you want to print things like a contract that you wish to have a good life - CHOOSE PIGMENT.

If you need to always do a mixture of everything, stick with dye every time.

 

[Chillybean]

I kind off assumed that the pigment ink would run as well hence the reason why my OH wanted one for her art work. Having just checked the price of the printers and replacement ink I suspect my OH will want to think a little more about buying one. Thanks for the excellent information it's much appreciated.

 

[Ecker]

If your Oh is planning on selling his/her art work, folk are far more
attracted to pigment based images because of their longevity;
in some cases up to 100 years (known as Archival quality prints).

If however s/he plans on going for the cheaper / more vibrant
colour produced on dye based printers, the buyer should be
advised to hang the prints out of direct sunlight or in an album,
away from UV light.