Printer suggestions

[ANNE E.]

My (2005) Lexmark inkjet printer is not working. I wanted to print a label for my Sott's HST Quilt but it's not going to happen. . I will be hand writing one. I am not sure if I should stay with an inkjet printer or switch to a laser printer. I have spent up to $80.00 total for the color and black and white cartridge's . We live in a very semi-arid climate and the cartridge's often dry out, I don't do a lot of printing except during tax season. I read laser printer's don't do well printing on fusible web, but there ink does not dry out? just wondering if any you have any ideas or tips to share?? Thankx

Terry

[Margo C.]

Terry, I also got tired of paying the big bucks for printer ink! I tried to use some of the cheaper generic ink but my printer didn't do well with it, so several years ago I went to my local Staples store and purchased a new ink-jet Kodak "all in one" (print/copy/fax) for about $150 (?) because I was told that the replacement ink was much less expensive than what I was using. The ink is still not cheap, but it is less than what I was paying, and the printer works fine for my purposes. If you switch to a laser printer, the ink will not be permanent if you print on fabric for labels.

[Rita C.]

$80? Try €96!! And my printer keeps telling me that some of the cartridges are 'out of date' so it won't print until I change them! How the heck could printer ink be out of date? And I can't believe how quickly it uses up some of the cartridges - about 10 colour photos and it's gone again. :roll: If there is one thing that makes me mad it's how much they charge for these ink cartridges. I dread when the kids are doing a project that involves lots of colour photos!

[Rita C.]

I hope you are all aware that you can print on economode or 300 pixels etc...and save ink for regular items including colour photos for kids' projects.
Check the preferences section of your print instruction box and you should find something...including a draft mode which is quite good for labels.
cheers from very rainny Nova Scotia
Jeanine

[Rita C.]

Thanks all for your reply's, and comments. Hoping my inkjet will keep working with a good cleaning. Want to keep it for quilting.
Thinking I will invest in a mid-range laser printer for documents and pics.

Margo, you are a early bird- that gets the worm!!

Hope everyone getting their HST quilt's done. I am sewing the binding down, and finishing the label, how many hrs left :?: :?: :?: :?:

Terry in Montana

[Rita C.]

If you are planning on using your printer for fabric projects, rethink the Kodak printer. I have one, and it is great for paper, but fabric printing is a total disaster. The paper backed fabric jams everytime. THEN I did some research (typical of me) and discovered that the ink used by Kodak is not fadeproof for fabric.

After a little late research I have since bought a basic HP inkjet that I use for fabric printing. Go for one that is a direct feed instead of one that curves the paper through the machine. There is less chance for jamming.
Brother also is highly recommended for fabric printing because of the ink pigments used in their cartridges.

[Rita C.]

Epson Durabrite inks are also excellent for printing on fabrics, they don't need a mordant like BubbleJet, just leave them for 24 hrs to dry then they are colour fast.

[Rita C.]

Thanks for doing the research for me Rosemary. I am just about to get a new printer as the one I have is driving me insane with insisting that the cartridges are out of date and a full set of colours costs almost €100!

[Lotti D.]

Perfect timing for me as well, brought a small inkjer printer from the office home to test, but will be buying one soon... thank you ladies

[Margo C.]

Thanks for the info Beanie!

[Norma H.]

Epson with DuraBrite ink is very good. Watch the class on printing on fabric so you know what more to do:

learn/classrooms/

This class helped me a lot

[Diane F.]

I agree that Epson DuraBrite ink is good (pigment.) I took a photo-editing class with Jeanie and she had a large sample book, which showed the results of different printer inks, fabrics, etc. Based upon her advice, I chose a simple printer (not a multifunction and not wireless.) I was able to get a LARGE format business printer (EPSON Workforce) for $130. I don't know what the prices are like today.

[Diane F.]

Thanks for all the great information and posting the link I thought there was a show about printers.

My printer is a lexmark and I have problems with alignment. I put in a new black ink cartridge, it's

sort of working???

Again TQS rocks along with the Forums.

Have a good week

[Rita C.]

I just bought the cheapest HP inkjet printer I could find - HP Deskjet 1000. It is a direct feed one - no curving around the rollers. Only two ink cartridges - one colour and one black. It is just a printer. No scanner, photo-copier, tea-maker etc. It cost me €29. Now to try Margo's wonderful method of printing onto fabric with freezer paper. I did this before on my Canon but the colour faded after time. It will be interesting to see what happens with this one.

[Margo C.]

I just bought the cheapest HP inkjet printer I could find - HP Deskjet 1000. It is a direct feed one - no curving around the rollers. Only two ink cartridges - one colour and one black. It is just a printer. No scanner, photo-copier, tea-maker etc. It cost me €29. Now to try Margo's wonderful method of printing onto fabric with freezer paper. I did this before on my Canon but the colour faded after time. It will be interesting to see what happens with this one.

Have fun, Rita! Be sure to let us know how the new printer works out!

To review the directions for printing labels onto fabric, check here: http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/image...ects/10069.pdf