Hardware/Software: Canon Multipass 5500 printer, Kodak DC260, Adobe PhotoDeluxe.

Problem: Large prints look OK (8 by 10s). However when I try to print anything smaller I get some terrible looking prints. Lack of detail, pixelation, just plain BAD. I'm using Canon's photoink and have tried all photo paper manufacturers I can find with the same result. Photos look great in the computer even at 200% magnification they show little if any pixelation and are very sharp.

How can I get photo-quality small prints out of my hardware?

-- Angel Gomez (aagomez@ra.rockwell.com), January 02, 1999

Answers

Hardware/Software: Alps MD-1300 printer, Kodak DC260, Adobe Photoshop 5.0

Solution to your printing problems at smaller resolutions: Use the Alps MD-1300 dyesub printer. I print anywhere from wallet size to 3x5 to 4x6 to 5x7, even up to 8x10 with clear results. I've heard some with banding problems, but I have experienced none. It's slow, but worth the time. I've certainly left behind my HP 1120C for photo printing (colors fade and smear when wet!). I've challenged many to identify my Alps prints from print shop originals - time after time they are stumped.

Hope this suggestion helps. If you need any further details, e-mail me. BTW, thanks for the excellent tip on the filter attachment gizmo for my DC260!

-- Brad L. Bates (beabates@mindspring.com), January 03, 1999.

Brad; Dye-sub prints will fade, in time. Lasting quality pictures can only be printed on Thermo-Autochrome printers. Roger

-- Roger J Jette (roger_jette@msn.com), September 26, 1999.

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-- Andrew Rosz (andrewrosz@hotmail.com), April 03, 2001.

PrintSix is easy to use but the program is flawed. There are other programs out there that do the job better. One is included in Win XP, "Windows Picture and Fax Viewer". Granted it does not have as many templates as PrintSix but it will put the pictures on the template without having to re-name them which is a pain. It also will put pictures either portrate or lanscape on the same template which PrintSix cannot do. PrinSix was probably created with something like FrontPage. Take a look at the code. Instead of using variables he wrote the same code over and over again, pic1, pic2. pic3.etc. I wish I had never purchased the program. And as you can see on his web site there is no return policy. Garbage.

-- Ron Quilici (mrq@afes.net), May 22, 2003.