Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Printing: Printers, Papers and Inks => Topic started by: llama on December 12, 2006, 05:05:14 pm

Title: Paper Cost: Rolls vs. Sheet
Post by: llama on December 12, 2006, 05:05:14 pm

Hi,

I'm pondering my first printer purchase and have been trying to do the cost accounting between the B9180 at the low-end, the 3800 in the mid-range, and the iPF5000 at the top end.

While the discussion on ink costs seems to clearly favour the iPF5000, I'm having harder time with the paper argument.  www.shadesofpaper.com shows roll paper not being much cheaper than sheets.  For example:

Hahnemuhle PhotoRag 308
640267-50I (17" x 22"- 50 Sheet Box)  $248.70  =  1.33 cents per sq. inch
10643273 (17 " x 39 ’ Roll)  $106.80  =  1.34 cents per sq. inch

A similar result is found for Photo Rag Satin 310.

Obviously, this is making wonder whether it is worthwhile to bother with roll paper at all.

Can anyone let me know whether the pricing above is an anomaly or if it is normal?

Thanks!

Title: Paper Cost: Rolls vs. Sheet
Post by: dlashier on December 12, 2006, 05:09:26 pm

I think the main argument for rolls is the convenience, but you also have to factor in the inconvenience of having to flatten the damn things after printing.

- DL

Title: Paper Cost: Rolls vs. Sheet
Post by: Dale Allyn on December 12, 2006, 05:18:07 pm

Roll paper is meaningful if you print 16x24"  (or longer) rather than 16x20". Many papers are available in 17x22, so are too short for my needs.

Also, borderless printing is handled differently on different printers, but if one wants largest borderless prints on the iPF 5000, then roll stock will be needed.

--
Dale

Title: Paper Cost: Rolls vs. Sheet
Post by: Nill Toulme on December 12, 2006, 05:18:09 pm

And then there's the inconvenience of trying to do a 16x24 on a 17x22 sheet...

Nill
~~
www.toulme.net (http://www.toulme.net)

Title: Paper Cost: Rolls vs. Sheet
Post by: llama on December 12, 2006, 05:24:37 pm

Thanks everyone.

I don't see myself going that large so the roll holder may not be key for me.

I don't know where I got the impression that rolls also saved $.

Thanks again.

Title: Paper Cost: Rolls vs. Sheet
Post by: howiesmith on December 12, 2006, 05:35:30 pm

Quote

Thanks everyone.

I don't see myself going that large so the roll holder may not be key for me.

I don't know where I got the impression that rolls also saved $.

Thanks again.
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I like the flexibilty of picking a paper size that fits my print size rather than trying to save a bunch of odd sized ends from roll prints.  It may cost a bit more, but it's worth the savings in hassel.

Title: Paper Cost: Rolls vs. Sheet
Post by: Dan Wells on December 13, 2006, 10:26:29 am

I looked at a range of papers, and it seems like the manufacturer - supplied papers in hundred foot rolls are MUCH cheaper than the same paper in sheets (half the cost or less). Art paper in 39 foot rolls is basically the same price as the same paper in sheets. It seems like 17 inch roll paper is often priced at $100/roll, plus or minus, regardless of roll length! Sheet paper is more reliably priced by the square inch, so papers that come on long rolls see enormous savings.


                                        -Dan