Re: Color laser printer

[CDTobie@aol.com]

In a message dated 5/24/02 8:34:10 AM, guiking@xs4all.nl writes:

>I remember that some time ago someone on this list said that
>
>colorprinting was better on inkjets than on laserjets, because of the
>
>'wet' nature of inkjet printing. But maybe my memory serves me not
>
>well...
>
>Anyway, here in the Netherlands is a special offer: an Epson AcuLaser
>
>C1000 color laserprinter for about $ 880 (excl. VAT), where the MRP is
>
>about 50% higher.
>
>To what extent is this printer better / worse / equal / different,
>
>compared to printers like the C80, 895 etc. (I deliberatedly mention
>
>only the A4 printers, because the C1000 has this paper format).
>
>In plain text it will be superb, but what about the photo quality?

Lasers that can come close to the color quality of an Epson inkjet tend to 
cost several times as much as the amount you mention. Low cost lasers tend to 
offer far less smooth color gradiants, less open shadows, and less consistant 
color. Without the expensive unit's large, humidity controlled enclosure, the 
color on a laser changes with the weather. Reprofiling for accurate color 
oputput can become a daily event. But they have their place as a network 
printer, can use low cost paper, and be accessed by a large number of users 
to print more copies in a day than a laser can manage. They just don't 
compare in color accuracy and imaging quality.

Its not uncommon, after getting a company to spend significant money on a 
high capacity networked laser, and managing the color as best it can be 
managed, to have someone come to me with a print from it, and one from their 
$99 home inkjet, and say: "whats the scam here, my little cheap printer makes 
better prints than that monster!"

The reply to that is: " Please print 500 copies of this 8 page report in 
color both sides, looking nice and crisp, printed on cheap copy paper, and on 
my desk by five." Different machines, different strengths.

C. David Tobie
Design Cooperative
CDTobie@designcoop.com
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