Need printer/scanner suggestions

[flyingbinker]

Hi all!
My poor Canon is on its last legs, and I need a new scanner/printer for printing pics & digiscrap items. Suggestions? I've always shied away from HP, and would love an Epson printer, but I need a scanner too and can't afford 2 machines.

Anyone have a suggestions on brand?

Thanks, Angela

[vfleslie]

I have the Epson Artisan 810 and LOVE it! It is a scanner/copier/printer. It's wireless so you don't have to be attached to it.

I set the printer controls to Epson vivid color and "best photo" setting and the 4X6 photos beat out scrapbookpictures.com and persnikity prints in a blind photo comparison. I printed/ordered copies of the same photos in glossy finish and had various people look at them without disclosing where the prints came from. Invariably everyone selected the Epson prints #1 (and Persnikity #2 and SBPictures #3--SBPictures was noticeably duller).

I researched and the Epson Claria inks and Epson papers are very archival. You need to use Epson papers to get the best result. I print out my 12X12 layouts on Epson Premium Luster Photo Paper (250 8.5X11 sheets for $126.29 at Amazon) at home at the 8X8 size and they turn out beautifully. If there's ever a quality problem it is because the printer has defaulted back to the "text and photo" quality default setting. That only happens if I haven't used the "best photo" selection in a couple of days. I just go back into the printer control panel and re-select "best photo".

The Epson Artisan 810 is about $190.00 at Amazon. They have other models of the Artisan also. The paper trays are kind of flimsy but I haven't had any problems the year I've owned it and we work it hard as a family, The inks can be purchased separately. I usually get them from Amazon and return to Staples for the ink cartridge credit to buy other items from Staples.

I'm very happy with it.

Leslie

[flyingbinker]

Thanks Leslie! I kind of wanted an Epson wide format, but can't find one with a scanner, so this may be perfect! Does it print borderless 8.5x11? I saw on the Epson website that Borderless is an option, but just want to check.

[vfleslie]

I will have to try borderless 8.5 X 11. will report back tomorrow.

Leslie

[sarahorton]

I have the Artisan 810, too and I love it. I got it to replace my Epson RX620 which was a workhorse.

The Claria inks print beautifully and the colors are very true. I keep both regular copy paper and 4x6 photo paper in the machine so I can print whichever.

We are loving the wireless printing, too. We can all print from our laptops/computers wherever we are in the house.

[echogirl]

dumb question alert. Does it do wireless scanning? I'm in the market for a new scanner and I do't know too much about it. Thanks.

[vfleslie]

Yes! It does do wireless scanning. It will fax too but I've never set that up. My dumb question alert--do I need to actually connect it to the landline to fax?(not sure I have a cord long enough) I need to put this on my to-do list to check it out.

I did print a borderless 8.5 X 11. The default is with borders but when you go into the printer advanced settings you can select borderless. You get a notice that "print quality in the top and bottom areas may decline or the area may be smeared depending on the media. For details about this setting, see online help or your manual". I just selected a regular jpeg photo and it printed fine (well, was slightly blurry all over (WAAA!) since I was shooting an indoor scholar bowl match without a flash) around the edges from what I could tell.

Leslie