Tech: print large A3 sized calendars

Subject: Tech: print large A3 sized calendars......
From: GUEST,emily
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 02:03 AM

"Hi,

Just wanted to spread the word about a verygood software I have found.
I have been looking for a good personal calendar making software for

ages.
This software is called WinCal, its current version is 4.4, I have used

it to
design and print large A3 sized calendars using my photos, works

wonders.

You can download a free trial version from:

http://www.techsysconsultants.com.au/prod01.htm

Thanks,
Best regards,
emily.emily

Subject: RE: Tech: print large A3 sized calendars......
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 08:51 AM

emily -

I'm curious more about whether many people have printers capable of handling A3 size than about the program to make calendars.

In the US, it's rather difficult to get the metric size papers, but many "consumer grade" printers will handle A4 and A5 sizes. Very few people here have printers capable of printing A3, as the machines to do it are somewhat more expensive and are considered "commercial" machines.

The question isn't whether it's useful to have an A3 layout, since I assume you can always take your file to a commercial print shop for printing. I'm simply curious whether larger format printers are more commonly available (and commonly used) in the metric consumer markets.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: print large A3 sized calendars......
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 09:21 AM

What's more at 15Mb for the exe & 12Mb for the pdf help and usage files - and they don't bother to tell you how big they are, but I have sneaky ways of finding out BEFORE I start the download! - I changed my mind. I assumed that the MAX print size was A3, so it should work on A4.

But since they didn't bother to warn me how big the files were, they failed on the "How Professional are they"? test...

Robin

Subject: RE: Tech: print large A3 sized calendars......
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 09:35 AM

John. It's quite easy to get an A3 printer in the UK. I've just looked at dabs who I tend to use for computer bits. The first one I found is here.

As you say they are a lot more expensive. I don't think you would find one in anything close to the under £100 category which my A4 printers (currently Epson R200 and C46) are in.

Subject: RE: Tech: print large A3 sized calendars......
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 12:51 PM

Jon

Most of the consumer class printers available here have a max paper path width for letter (A) size, 8.5 inch. That's wide enough to push an A4 through or of course anything smaller. The next step up (another $200? US or more) gets you a 13 inch wide path, which will handle A3 or the "A3+" or US "Super B." both of the latter are 13 inch narrow side.

The few Super B size printers I've found here are $300+ (US) and few people get them for home use. Surprisingly, perhaps, it's easier to get a color printer over 8.5 wide than a laser (B/W) type.

Anything that will print on wider than 13" (330 mm) is usually called a "plotter" rather than a printer.

Just thought perhaps the big 'uns were more common elsewhere.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: print large A3 sized calendars......
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 01:25 PM

Just trying to think from the other side as in "common" John. I don't think I've ever known anyone with an A3 inkjet although visiting something like a photograph exhibition in a local church by a nearby camera club does indicate to me that there are some home owner/enthusiasts that do have that sort of kit.

I used to know someone with an even bigger inkjet BTW. He had a monster A2 inkjet printer. He was a professional cartographer running his own business though.

Subject: RE: Tech: print large A3 sized calendars......
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 01:39 PM

Just thinking again, John... I see you mention the word plotter. That to me is a different piece of equipment. One with pens to draw.

Subject: RE: Tech: print large A3 sized calendars......
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 01:50 PM

I happen to be one of those oddballs who has a "Super B" color printer (13 x 19 inch), but I originally bought-up to the "commercial grade" more to get the individual ink cartridges than for the larger format.

Unfortunately(?) once you get used to being able to print the larger sizes you get so it "seems necessary," so when the original printer went down I replaced with another the same size that happened to be available locally. Sadly, though, the new one uses a 3-color cartridge that's so tiny it's hard to finish a full color 13 x 19 without running out of ink. I'm not too well pleased with the new one (HP 9650) but getting the old one (HP CP1700) repaired costs about as much in service/shipping charges as buying a new one.

Of course, with any color printer, the ink costs will exceed the original printer cost within a few reams of paper.

John