If you own it, does it print photos well on plain paper? Are blacks jet black? Need to print photos on plain paper for craft projects. Thanks.
381658
I have not printed pictures on plain paper only once. Black was not jet black, neither were the other colors vibrant. They were on Epson premium gloss paper but inside photos appeared darker than I would like.
381659
Photos on plain paper isn't the quality that you get with photo paper... that is the case with all printers I have owned. The black in a text document are very good on plain paper, very black.
381660
I have printed ONLY on plain paper - not on photo paper - and "blacks" often print as faded, or downright grey. I would not recommend this for your desired use. (At least, not on plain paper!)
381661
I tried a test using a photo with some serious black in the background. On plain paper it turned out as I expected, a bit gray. When I need really pure color I use photo quality matte coated inkjet paper. The black really snapped! This is the way I've always done it whether with an Epson or H/P. You just can't get past the porousness of plain paper - and I've tried many, many types and brands.Ted Spencer
381662
I am afraid you will never get close to photo quality using an inkjet on plain paper. The Epson is a spectacular performing inkjet + all in one machine, but no inkjet I am aware of is going to give you super color and especially blacks on plain paper. In fact you are just going to saturate the paper making a big mess. I would try to find some inexpensive photo paper. Don't forget you are going to pay quite a lot for ink............don't skimp too much on the paper or you'll be unhappy.
58463
No, if any of the color cartridges are empty it doesn't print black (as in text). It doesn't print anything. p.s. Just happened to notice the black print option on the actually printer, and tried it out (the printing option is the only one that doesn't seem to respond to this option) but copying certainly did. Sorry for the incomplete answer.
703580
According to Lexmark to print true black you need a bit of the colors as well. With my Canon I seldom used the color and they go down, it seems to me each time you start the machine it tests and uses ink. I wish they made it so you did not have to install the color tanks.
1923147
hi, which cardstock do you use? i am thinking of printing my greeting cards and photos with this printer and am just getting started. i was hoping to print on 10 x 7 cards which fold to 5 x 7. thanks.
1904404
Seems to me a very funny question! Of course it could print any size you specify! But I would like to know how is the photo quality? Since this is an "office" jet, not a "photo" smart machine, I would like to know how it compares to the top-rated photo-smart printers from HP.
2126860
Yes - I use just ink jet printers. I usually use a cheap printer with off-brand ink to print publicity brochures and maps by the hundreds. and the results are good. I imagine a good printer with good ink would be even better. It won't be as good as premium photo paper for archival pictures or for photo displays, but you can't beat the price for heavy duty paper for handouts and "Classy" publicity pages.
1422619
Hi J.Young. No, the printer only has one black ink hole. I didn't know about the different black inks at the time I wrote that, but I know now. I have one photo black ink and will try it in the printer when my regular black ink runs out, but don't think it will work. Thanks for the reply. Ken
565328
Hhmmm I have this printer and i printed in really thick photo paper without any problem, unfortunately im not at home right now to try it out but i will be back monday and I can try it out and let u know if u are still interested.Updated 20/12/2012 No problem Printing in Thick paper and it has an option on the printing settings for thick paper printing good luck.
1782010
In the "black" slot, you can either use a black cartridge or a photogray cartridge (#100). Either one will do excellent documents and black-and-white printing, but the photogray cartridge will give you MUCH better photographic reproduction. I tried the two on a sample photo of a pond with ripples on the water. With the black cartridge, the picture was still clear, but the ripples disappeared. In other words, the black cartridge leaves out the nuances in photographs. After that, I never bought another black cartridge.
1923661
Howdy doody!Yes you can print only in black ink if you wish. You have the option to switch.Hope this helps!!!
396040
Why won't printer print in black. Cleaned heads several times and nothing helps. All ink cartridges are over half full. Colors print great, but black won't print. Not an answer, the same question as asked before. Can't find answer to question someone else asked.
1063793
I have the same problem. I am forever buying new black. The color lasts a bit longer. I keep an extra black around all the time. I bought a Kodak printer when my old HP died. I wish I had never made that purchase. $$ $$ $$....
2171375
Reading customer elsewhere and on Hp support forum, I discovered that the printer will not print in black if any of the color cartridges is out of ink - all cartridges must have ink for this printer to work. See HP Support Forum response here : http://tinyurl.com/n2f32uy .
281767
Yes, it will continue to print black when colors are low. Replace the rest when the computer screen tells you to do it. BTW, I found that aftermarket inks will foul your inkjets and will render it useless. You can get Canon inkjets at lower prices in Amazon or eBay. As an aside, the inks last longer than other Canon printers I owned.
781912
Rebecca, Very hearening to hear it may not be 'just me'. The real problem seems to be that there are two modes of printing in grayscale with the HP6500. 'Black ink only' is just what it implies; grayscale rendered with the black ink cartridge only - and with perfectly good grayscale quality too. The other option: 'high quality' is actually a color dependant mode that, for some obscure reason, sprays a coat of Yellow ink onto the image area, in addition to black ink. At least that is the explanation given to me by the HP Customer Care people. The real problem lies in my inability to use the 'black ink only' option AND any 'double-sided printing' option both at the same time. You may find relief in using the 'black ink only' mode by making sure the 'double-sided printing' option is set to OFF. If you are still awake after all of this, I include my recent post to all and sundry trying to get someone out there to at least confirm that this phenomenon actually exists, and not just some bizarre short-coming in my specific situation; as HP has implied for almost a week now... In short, my opinion is that it is some bug in their software. Good Luck with your problem... ------------------------------- I need to print grayscale / black ink only AND use the double-sided printing option at the same time. Both have perfect functionality when used seperately, but the 'black ink only' grayscale option automaticaly reverts to the (color dependant) 'high quality' option as soon as any double-sided printing option is invoked. Is it just me ? I trouble you with this only after nearly a week and countless e-mails with the HP Customer Care people - and many, many hours following up on all of their fruitless directions for a fix. They will not even admit to being able to duplicate this printer preference shortcoming. I thank you in advance for any assisstance. Michael Keller
2082388
Yes, I use it to print on cardstock regularly and have never had a jam, but like the previous reviewer said you can't duplex print on cardstock. I've never tried duplex printing on paper, so I can't comment on if that function even works or not. But I do feel I should mention that after having had this printer for less than 7 months, mine stopped printing in color today. From reading these other reviews I'm guessing it's a printhead problem. So even with it's ability to print on card stock I can't claim to be totally happy with this printer. I plan to call Lexmark tomorrow about the printhead issue. Yes, I use it to print on cardstock regularly and have never had a jam, but like the previous reviewer said you can't duplex print on cardstock. I've never tried duplex printing on paper, so I can't comment on if that function even works or not. But I do feel I should mention that after having had this printer for less than 7 months, mine stopped printing in color today. From reading these other reviews I'm guessing it's a printhead problem. So even with it's ability to print on card stock I can't claim to be totally happy with this printer. I plan to call Lexmark tomorrow about... » Read More Yes, I use it to print on cardstock regularly and have never had a jam, but like the previous reviewer said you can't duplex print on cardstock. I've never tried duplex printing on paper, so I can't comment on if that function even works or not. But I do feel I should mention that after having had this printer for less than 7 months, mine stopped printing in color today. From reading these other reviews I'm guessing it's a printhead problem. So even with it's ability to print on card stock I can't claim to be totally happy with this printer. I plan to call Lexmark tomorrow about the printhead issue. « Show Less
1225834
My new printer has not printed even one decent photo. They have all been very low quality and I am starting to think my printer is defective in that respect as HP usually does such a good job with photos. Regular printing is very good.