Mitsubishi CP3020DE / DAE - What we Think! Our views on the Mitsubishi CP3020 Printer.

Good News for Macintosh Users - The CP3020DAE is Apple Mac Compatible

What we Think:	All Printers, Hi-Ti 730 Series, Mitsubishi CP3800DW, Mitsubishi CP9550DW/DW-S, Mitsubishi CP9600DW/DW-S, Mitsubishi CP9800DW, Mitsubishi CP3020DE/DAE, Citizen CW-01, Kodak 1400, Kodak 6850, Kodak 9810
See also:	Dye Sublimation Photo Printer User Reviews

Overview of the CP3020DE / CP3020DAE

The Mitsubishi CP3020 is a very well built piece of equipment that comes from a company with over 20 years experience in the Dye Sublimation field.

Whilst Mitsubishi are mostly known for the range of quality 4x4 vehicles, they also make a wide range of electronic equipment for a variety of different markets. In the Dye Sublimation printer field they produce a comprehensive range of equipment. Mitsubishi's printers are of such a high standard that they are also used in medical and security applications and because of their popularity are available throughout the world.

The CP3020DE & CP3020DAE are relatively heavy, but it can still be considered a portable units.
(Approx. 14Kg in weight & dimensions of 402mm(W) x 231mm(H) x 378mm(D)).

Print Size & Media Options
The CP3020 and Kodak 1400 are labelled as A4 Photo Printers - They are NOT! Neither will print an A4 image although the media size for a 10x8 images is A4 in size! Print Size is only 10x8 and 12x8 and the print Size is determined by the media used in the Printer. Like most other printers that print 10x8 or 12x8 the prints are not borderless and will need to be trimmed before putting into a frame or folder. It is possible to change the media part way through the media pack, but we recommend purchsing an additional ribbon tray if you plan to do this. Ribbon & Paper Consumables

Print Speed
Print Speed for an 8"x10" image is 77 seconds (excluding download) and for an 8"x12" image it is 90 seconds (excluding download). This is slightly slower than the Kodak 1400 printer, but only by a few seconds.

Print Quality
This is where Mitsubishi scores over the Kodak 1400. Although the quality of the Kodak 1400 is good, the CP3020 does produce a better print. Print Quality is superb, colour rendition and skin tones are also very good. With a 314 dpi and 16.77 million colour capability you can now print large volumes of photos at the highest quality.
Learn why dye sublimation produces a higher quality photo from a lower dpi.

Requirements
The CP3020DE & CP3020DAE will operate between 220v-240v AC supply and can also be run from a suitable inverter if being used away from mains power in a car or caravan etc. Contact us for more details.

Maintenance
Simple - None required! Just keep changing the ribbon and paper when they are exhausted.

Compatibility
Windows only on the CP3020DE, but fully Mac compatible on the CP3020DAE.

What we like about the CP3020
The CP3020 is a very nice printer; it looks & feels very well made indeed. It produces superb quality images, which are printed without fuss and printed quickly. This printer is a most appropriate choice for the professional photographer. So, if you are looking for a high quality photo lab solution, that offers large prints and can handle high volumes at a reasonable price, then we would recommend this to you.

What we don't like about the CP3020
Nothing really! We would struggle to find anything that we don't like about it.

Other Considerations
Depending upon your budget, you may also want to consider the Kodak 1400 printer. The 1400 is cheaper, but the cost per print for a 10x8 is a lot higher and although the Kodak produces very good images, it doesn't quite perform as well as a CP3020. The CP3020DAE and the 1400 both come with Apple Mac support and are very similiar printers.

In our opinion it is your budget, print costs and image quality that decide which printer you should buy, unless you want to spend upwards of £2000 for a roll fed Kodak 9810 10x8 Printer.