color printing in A2 format questions

[LeMarchand]

So, for a hardcover bookcover dustcover sleeve i need to print on an A2 format piece of paper. I took my file to a copyshop who printed it (plotter?), the result was dissapointing: a bit fuzzy and shallow looking.

What are my options to get a sharp rich color print for a hardcover sleeve. Offset printing is too expensive for the number of prints i need.

Would an A2 inkjet printer do a good job? if so, how can i give it a proper protective layer. Most laminating films i have seen (cold and hot) are too thick.

Anybody here have an A2 inkjet printer?

thanks.

Marc

 

[exoray]

Have you considered trying out one of those one off poster shops online? The results might be OK and you might even be able to get two prints per poster...

There are places that will do them for about $25, can't say if the quality is there or what but it might be an option...

As for laminations, most DIY ones are pretty thick but I have seen commercial ones that are almost nonexistent... You can also vary carefully spray it with clear lacquer, they sell specialized ones for archiving...

 

[LeMarchand]

I have, but if the results are the same as the plotter they used at my local copyshop, the result would probably be the same.

Any good poster printing shops recommendations are welcome

 

[newworld]

Three things will dictate the quality of your printing.

The first is the quality of the image. It must be high-rez and high-quality. If it's not, your printout quality will suffer – garbage in, garbage out.

Next, you need to have it printed on a high-rez printer, preferably ink jet. Most printers have a "high quality" or "photo" setting which means high-rez.

And lastly, you want it printed on photo-quality paper, gloss yielding the best image, IMO. To protect the surface, you can spay it with a protective Krylon gloss fixative.

If you scrimp on any one of these, quality will suffer.

Good luck!

 

[Chiok]

I think the poster printing option is probably the best, get it glossy and everything. My experience with plotters is that they are not set up for photo quality prints, but then I used them for engineering drawings and graph images.

A sign printing shop is probably your best bet for a good print in low quantities at reasonable price.