PRO-200S vs Pro-310 for Mailing Postcards - Durability & Paper advice?

[jaydouble07]

Hello! I'm an enthusiast artist/photographer looking to print & mail 4x6 postcards from a home setup, ideally without needing an envelope or sleeve for protection. The prints will feature a mix of color lifestyle photography and colorful vector-based artwork.

I'm particularly drawn to the PIXMA PRO-200S (dye-based) especially for its affordability. But most of what I read glorifies the durability, longevity, and fine-art quality of pigment-based ink printers (like the imagePROGRAF PRO-310).

I'm not sure if selling prints professionally is in the cards (sorry bad pun), but I do care deeply about quality. That said, I'm not certain I need my prints to survive the next century...I just want to feel confident the print will hold up to handling and transit without smudging or fading at least for a few years? I've heard how dye-based inks have come a long way...

Has anyone here printed and mailed postcards using either of these printers or had experience with prints that get handled frequently? And perhaps any paper type recommendations you've had success with?

Any insights or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thank you 🙂

[shadowsports · Accepted solution]

Greetings,

Sounds like you've done a good amount of research. The Pro 200s uses eight inks, the pro 310 uses 10 inks.  The 200s is dye-based, the 310 is pigment-based.  

The 200s is desirable for vibrant eye-popping colors with high gloss finishes.  The 310 has a higher degree of color accuracy and is intended for archival longevity.  Pigment-based inks stand up better to the environment (light, air) and generally last longer.  The 310 is also capable of printing longer prints.  

Since your primary use is postcards, paper handling is not really a consideration.  The 310 is going to offer a more durable longer lasting finish with glossy or matte prints.  The 200S doesn't have a matte black cartridge like the 310 so it's blacks will not be as dark.  Postal sorting machines can be pretty rough on mail.  If you want your postcards to look their very best buy the 310.  Postcards printed on the 200S will be more susceptible to abrasion and minor smudging.

[jaydouble07]

Thanks for the reply, Rick! Feels like I need to start turning the hours spent reading/watching/researching into designing & printing! It's refreshing to hear from a real, knowledgeable human versus chatgpt & reddit threads...this is just the push towards the 310 I needed. I appreciate the thoughtful insights and guidance. Thank you 🙂

[normadel]

You also need to be concerned about mailability of the paper you use. USPS has a minimum thickness and stiffness requirement for postcards. I'm pretty sure thickness must be minimum of .007", maximum of .016". Check with your local Post Office for postcard specs.