I’m curious on what your thoughts are on the future of printing with Ubuntu/Linux.
I’ve been trying to use Ubuntu for my entire photography workflow. Which has been pretty easy until I need to print the pictures. The only software that can be used (at least that I have found) is TurboPrint (which has been working ok enough until now). To be able to print A2 from the Epson 800 printer the pro version is needed and its pretty costly. Also, the version I got doesn’t work on the newest Ubuntu version and I have to pay again if I want to use it. When I can print for free from my mac I regret buying it in the first place and I cant really see myself paying for this again.
So whats you guys take on this? Can we assume reasonable printing solutions with Ubuntu in the near future?
I’ve been printing successfully with Linux for years. Of course, I’m not asking user-level software to do professional photography printing. That would be silly.
Dont epson offer a print driver for linux for this printer ?
I never print photos or anything high quality so not in a position to judge or advise… but every epson I have had has just been plug and go with linux. Is you demand different ?
+1 for that.
I used it for years when I printed to Canon printers.
Turboprint offered me options not available in Gutenprint drivers, such as correctly print to disc with Canon IP7250, and print to disc at all with Canon MG5320.
I purchased Turboprint, it really did worth the price - that was part of my escape from Windows.
Wether you can use it really, or not, you can decide in the trial period.
My very special printing needs vanished, as I don’t have to produce DVD’s anymore, and as my Canon inkjet printers repeatedly clogged because of drying (too little usage), I sold my last Canon printer, and bought a second-hand Samsung color laser multifunction printer, C480W. (I choosed it because I can get replacement toners for dirt cheap).
It is definitely not photo quality, but prints very nice color documents in case we need… It does not clog, as it is dry intentionally
I can tell, it just works, Our computers can print to it over network anytime.
No configuration needed, just detected by cups-browsed via avahi.
Kind of plug’n’play.
I think you could evaluate Turboprint, and purchase it if it is useful to you.
Costs much less than a Windows based workflow.
I once had a Canon ip5000 photoprinter.
I was able to print photos on it with linux in all paper sizes.
I did not use any purchssed software… just the Linux foomatic and gutenprint drivers.
Some of the control functions, like detecting ink levels, which worked from Windows, were not available from Linux.
I am not 100% happy with inkjet printers.
Years ago, at work, we had a postscript color printer which used wax blocks instead of ink. It produced excellent color prints. You might look into that if you have a lot of color printing. A postscript printer can always be driven from linux.
I have an OKI postscript printer B&W laser. Had it for 25 years. Used on at least 10 linux and BSD versions. Never a problem to configure. Consider getting a postscript printer… it is expensive, but the driver problems are nonexistent.
Spend your money on good hardware.That will solve most of the software problems.
