Looking for Good, Inexpensive Photo Printer

Updated on September 01, 2008
K.N. asks from Long Beach, NY
11 answers

Can any of you recommend a photo printer that prints good quality photos? I just started thinking of getting one, but I am not looking to spend much money since the technology changes so quickly. I would like to get the most for what I can spend (preferably less than $100, but can spend as much as $150 if it's a great printer that will last a few years).

I am wondering if it's worth it, given that we can get digital prints made up so inexpensively?

Would love to hear about your experience and whether you found it to be worth purchasing a photo printer. Thanks!

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A.F.

answers from New York on

i had a HP Photosmart 550. it is an old model now, but i loved it and the photos that came out of it! i never did the math to see if it was cheaper to print at home or not, but the printer cartridges are expensive and so is the paper. i also found that the quality of paper makes a big difference. don't skimp, get the expensive paper.

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T.D.

answers from New York on

Hi Karissa. I Have the kodak easyshare G600 and it works great (but only makes 4x6 photos). I bought it with the camera so it was a little more expensive than what you want to spend. It is more expence to print pictures at home. I only print pictures that I want right away. and the printer I have is small and conveniet to bring with you if you want. When I first got it I printed pictures all the time. Now I order them online if I don't want them right away (they are .15 online) at kodak or go to the store (CVS, RiteAid. Walmart.. etc) (@.20-.30) When you buy the ink for the printer it comes with the 4x6 photo paper and comes to about .50 a picture. Now I have a new computer from Dell and it came with a photo printer. (very expesive to print pictures with it.) Guess I am trying to say that it is much cheeper to go to the store or buy them online. But it is you decision if you want to have the convenience of printing pictures right away. I just go to the store to do it now cause it was getting to be too much money. Hope this helps you!! By the way just so you know I am a photo nut and takes pictures allll the time so thats why it got expensive also for me.

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B.H.

answers from New York on

hi
i have a little canon printer that prints 4x6 size only, and it's great for snapshots. i don't know how much each print costs, but the printer is about $50, and a pack of paper and ink costs $30-ish and has lasted a while. you might be able to find a $ breakdown online. we've had it for over 2 years and it still works great. i epecially use it to make customized b-day postcards and such!

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A.H.

answers from New York on

I was thinking about buying one a while ago but found that the cost of the ink and paper can add up quickly. I actually use kodak online - you load your pictures to the web and can get them printed out for $0.15 each. They do deals sometimes for $0.10 each. You can have them sent to your house or pick them up at CVS within 2 days. Plus you can share the albums with other people so that they can order their own prints. I know other people that have used snapfish and mpix for the same thing. Good luck!

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F.V.

answers from Binghamton on

Hi Karissa,
I have a set of twin boys that I take pictures of all the time. They are 3 and started pre-school.. I took pics and printed them out for everyone and they were amazed at how nice they looked. I use a HP F2100 printer, scanner, copier and it cost me 34$ and the ink is very reasonable also. NO matter what printer you look at, before you buy it, check the box and price the ink. ALSO, when printing out pics it makes a big difference what program you use. I have Kodak pic downloading on my computer but when I print from the kodak program, My pics don't look as good as they do from the HP printer program. GOSH, I hope I haven't confused you.. If you have any questions, you can email me privately if you would like. ____@____.com

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R.S.

answers from Syracuse on

Ink is very expensive so we use online print services (Snapfish, usually). With ink and paper costs I don't think it is worth it. I also love to make photobooks and gifts online and be able to ship them right to grandparents, etc.

With that said, we do have a very nice Epson all in one (printer/scanner/copier) and a less expensive HP!

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P.N.

answers from Syracuse on

We bought the new Kodak easy Share 5100 all in one printer and it works great! If you buy the photo pack with the thinner photo paper and color ink jet photos work out to about 10 cents apiece. The ink cartridges are much cheaper than an HP. You can print larger photos too, you just put the paper in the normal paper tray, and the photos print out dry. I think it was a about $100 at walmart. Go to the Kodak site and their's a link on the main page for printers. We would have gotten the black model (it's a little more), but they didn't have it in the stores yet when we were shopping for a printer.

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I.C.

answers from New York on

I bought a Canon ip1800 photo printer about 6 months ago and love it. Micro Center had it on sale fo $40. It prints beautiful photos in all sizes. It also prints any documents you need. The software gives you a lot of options for printing. If you wish to supplement your income with a side business that you can do at home, on your own hours, with no boss and have unlimited income potential, call me. I. Collins, Executive Senior Director for Mary Kay, Inc. ###-###-####

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J.G.

answers from New York on

i bought a printer copier scanner for about $150
i do print lots of pictures and iam happy with my printer but the truth is if your like me with picture you get them alot cheaper at walgreens plus u can go on line and get coupons for discounts .. ink is to expense and printijg pictures at home well the ink goes fast .. each ink cost about $30 and up depending on the printer ..

walgreens i order about 150 pictures and i paid about $20 or 25

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A.S.

answers from Syracuse on

I personally use online Snapfish also. I found the quality, price and delivery to be exceptional. I've ordered gifts, mugs, collages, and had them within in a week. Pictures also. I do also have a photo printer, Dell All-in-one. We don't use it, unless we want the picture right away. Even most times, I send them to walmart.com and pick them up at their one hour photo. I don't think with the cost of the printer, cost of the photo paper and the cost of ink, they are good deals anymore. You can get prints almost anywhere for a lot less.

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L.T.

answers from New York on

Hi! I actually have a brand-new HP Photosmart 325 printer that was given to us as a gift. I've heard it's a great printer, but our regular printer is an all-in-one, so we really don't need it. I've been meaning to put in on craig's list, but with a 1 year have, just haven't gotten around to it. I would sell it for $25. It's out of the original box, but never used. It comes with an unopened ink cartridge and an unopened pack of photo paper, user's manual. I'm not sure where you live, but I could mail it to you and then you could mail me a check?? If this is something that you're interested in, let me know.

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