Printing frustration

[TheCollector1971]

Good evening, this is my first posting and am amazed at how much information there is in these message boards. A lot of knowledgable people here!

My problem has to do with printing out the digital photos, in specific, the care and proper storage of my printed out photos.

My camera is a Minolta DiMage A2. My photo printer is an HP 7960 w/3 different ink cartridges. I'm printing on 4x6 Kodak Premium Picture Paper (High Gloss).

After the photograph is printed out, and dried for 24 - 36 hours, I place the photo into a photo album. Hours later, the plastic sleeve of the photo album is clinging to the photograph, giving it a "water bubble" look. It's especially noticable on pics with darker backgrounds. It's almost as if there is too much moisture in the ink, but what do I know?

I had this similar problem using HP photo paper, and the results were much worse.
I had expected better results from Kodak. My first pack of Kodak paper didn't give me this problem, but the sheets I'm using now it's happening with every printed photo.

I'm also wondering if I would experience this same problem if I go to Walgreens or Meijers and have them print out my photos?

What different equipment/ink/paper do they use, that I do not have at my disposal here at home?

Or...is there a special photo album sleeve, or protector especially made for digital photos?

Sorry about so many questions, but I just hate the idea of having spent so much time and money on a hobby I love, and now having these little glitches that are putting a damper on the hobby.

Any and all help and suggestions are greatly appreciated...Thanks!!!

[Norman]

Hello,

I had similar problems back in the days when I printed Cibachrome high gloss prints that I framed. What you are probably seeing is an effect called Newton rings, which is caused by the glossy surface being pressed against the plastic sleeve of the album pocket.

Best cure is print on matt paper, the problem is with the glossy surface, so I reccomend photos that are for not going in the album or frames go for glossy paper, those that are go for matt.

hope this helps

[TheCollector1971]

Hey there Norman,
Thanks for your advice! I'll give the matte paper a try and see if that solves the problem. Boy, this can be expensive with all this trial and error testing..haha.
Thanks again!

[peted56]

You could also try getting them preinted at a photolab and see if that is any different using a full chemical process, I used to print my own but it is so cheap (cheaper than doing it yourself) now that I only do it for "special" projects.



Cheers.

Pete D

[TheCollector1971]

Thanks! Depending on how the matte paper works out for me, taking the images to a photo lab is my next attempt to solving this problem. I'm wondering why these companies like Kodak and Epson are coming out with all the do-it-yourself print-at-home supplies, when in fact the normal person doesn't have the necessary chemicals and/or equipment to make their photos even comparable to what a lab can do. Seems like a waste of time and money for the consumer. Oh well. But thanks again, for your suggestion!