Tearless Tom
Guest
nusspli:
Epson paper is Archival when used with Epson Ink. If not using Epson ink (which you can not get for an HP ) it will be of no great advantage. The photos may look better but to my knowledge will not be archival quality.
Epson inks do not run when wet or fade when in the sun like HP does.
Best and cheapest bet is to go with photolab printing after you do your own editing like Gilliagan said.
I work as a part time pro photograher and I do all my edits before uploading to lab. Print quality is much better that way.
Also once you find a lab you like ask them for their color profile settings for their printer. You can then set your monitor to match it pretty closely.
If they can't give you a profile ask if they have monitor set up prints or have a few prints made. Take them home and set it by your monitor screen. Open the same photo on your screen then try to match the colors on your monitor to your print.
It is important to remember to always work in the same light. IE if there is alot of sunlight in your room. Close the blinds and use the overhead light. That way when you work at night it will be the same light on your screen.
It is amazing how much colors shift dependant on which light is on them. To see the effects take one of your prints look at it under Flouresant light, then Incandestant light and Sunlight. If your really adventurist take it to the jewelrly counter at a store and look at it under the light that they show the diamond rings. (there is a reson those diamonds sparkle so much when your in the store buying and the store owner knows the secrets)
Sorry got a little carried away...hope this helps.
