The future photo, inkjet or thermal
It is certain that all printing methods have great improvement for the past years.
Some months ago, I have bought a Xerox color laser printer, primarily for business. I have printed a few digital images and found that the quality were acceptable. Of course, if I would adjust the image before printing, the result might be even better. But for catalogue and other non-photographic applications, it is OK; especially the cost is so low.
Recently, I have to check the inkjet printing because I have involved with marketing for Ilford inkjet paper.
If we compare the quality between inkjet paper and photographic paper, the result will be the same. Inkjet prints are lack of the gradation and smoothness that we had enjoyed with photos.
One thing we have to know is that chemical processing will be obsolete very soon because of environmental protection. The only choice for us will be either inkjet or thermal prints.
For some years, we have big size inkjet prints and most thermal printers are small size, say 4x6. This means that thermal prints for reasonable size, A4 and A3 may not be available in the coming future. If thermal printing can avoid the wastage of toner, the cost may be able to compete with inkjet. If that happened, thermal prints should be almost identical with traditional photo.
Back to the inkjet printing, I believe that from now on, most photographers will prefer the drop and print. That means no enhancement or adjustment will be applied after exposure.
The reason is simple. Digital cameras, even the amateur design, have so many functions that it is easy to control the exposed image. If there is any problem, it is the neglecting of manual and the intention to learn only.
Nowadays, we have so many things to do and sparing time to adjust our images is almost impossible. Therefore, it is a must to master the digital camera except one would accept any inferior result.
When I started to work with inkjet printer many years ago when the true 720 dpi was available, it is so hard to get good result. This time with higher quality inkjet printer and photo quality paper, especially Ilford has the advice about printer setting, there is no test required, and just the final prints would do. That is why I suggested to my company to build a Chinese website, www.ilfordinkjet.com.hk, so that users in Hong Kong and Macau can refer to the printer settings.
As for the images, it is the work of users to get them right.
Some months ago, I have bought a Xerox color laser printer, primarily for business. I have printed a few digital images and found that the quality were acceptable. Of course, if I would adjust the image before printing, the result might be even better. But for catalogue and other non-photographic applications, it is OK; especially the cost is so low.
Recently, I have to check the inkjet printing because I have involved with marketing for Ilford inkjet paper.
If we compare the quality between inkjet paper and photographic paper, the result will be the same. Inkjet prints are lack of the gradation and smoothness that we had enjoyed with photos.
One thing we have to know is that chemical processing will be obsolete very soon because of environmental protection. The only choice for us will be either inkjet or thermal prints.
For some years, we have big size inkjet prints and most thermal printers are small size, say 4x6. This means that thermal prints for reasonable size, A4 and A3 may not be available in the coming future. If thermal printing can avoid the wastage of toner, the cost may be able to compete with inkjet. If that happened, thermal prints should be almost identical with traditional photo.
Back to the inkjet printing, I believe that from now on, most photographers will prefer the drop and print. That means no enhancement or adjustment will be applied after exposure.
The reason is simple. Digital cameras, even the amateur design, have so many functions that it is easy to control the exposed image. If there is any problem, it is the neglecting of manual and the intention to learn only.
Nowadays, we have so many things to do and sparing time to adjust our images is almost impossible. Therefore, it is a must to master the digital camera except one would accept any inferior result.
When I started to work with inkjet printer many years ago when the true 720 dpi was available, it is so hard to get good result. This time with higher quality inkjet printer and photo quality paper, especially Ilford has the advice about printer setting, there is no test required, and just the final prints would do. That is why I suggested to my company to build a Chinese website, www.ilfordinkjet.com.hk, so that users in Hong Kong and Macau can refer to the printer settings.
As for the images, it is the work of users to get them right.
posted by F. H. Tong at 2:30 AM
2 Comments:
The link of ICC profile of HK ilford website has error. Can't get it. Is there any update?
The link to ICC profile of HK Ilford website has been updated.
Now Ilford requires email registration and the chosen profile will be sent to the email address.
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