This question is Epson-specific because that's the brand I like, but might apply equally to other brands.

I'd like to have the ability to print the occasional photo-quality image now and then, but the price of their basic "photo" printer is about the same as the price of the top-of-the-line regular multifunction inkjet. Both the photo printer and regular inkjet advertise the same printing resolution of 5760 dpi.

I used to have an Epson 960FWD and I notice the driver has a "photo" and "best photo" print quality option:



Sadly I can't test this now as the print head is bad (and that's why I'm now shopping for a replacement). I'm wondering if I use that print option and insert the glossy photo paper, will I get a printout that's equal in quality to their photo printer line? Has anyone tried this?

I poked around the Epson forums but there isn't much traffic there and most threads don't have any responses.

Photo printers normally have more ink colors to mix to make the photo - but would highly advise staying with what you have and when you want a quality print put on a usb drive and take to local store - you can edit to exactly what you want prior to putting on the drive and there print will last more than a few months. Home prints just do not last in the light of Thailand (believe they rate there life in a dark cave on the arctic circle). It is very frustrating to have prints made at very high cost using factory paper/inks turn into faded wallpaper in a matter of months. Have had much better results with cheap commercial prints from Fuji places.

As for current printing if you use glossy paper use the best quality photo setting - it likely prints a much higher resolution with a cost of time and maybe a bit more ink.

That's what I do now - go to a mom & pop print shop in the neighborhood, but they use a basic Epson T60 inkjet photo printer. It doesn't look like anything fancy and prints nice quality photos that look the same as I get from Kodak or Fuji professional places. In fact this is where I always get my mug shots for immigration & labor purposes. I guess this is the most cost-effective way of doing it unless one is planning to open up a copy shop.

The prints I get from Fuji last a lot longer than those I make at home - and they are really not expensive at all. For passport photos at home type printer is fine as they will be filed or under a coating to protect and not hung on a wall. But for anything on a wall, even if never in direct sunlight, the life span seems to be months rather than years; in my experience.

I see I said local store - my meaning was Fuji/Kodak type place rather than a computer or copy shop. Sorry.