Excellent glossy photographic results wihtout the need for photo paper (although I recommend high-quality laser paper for clean results or Alps Photo Realistic paper - although hard to come by for excellent results). Ability to print in white (for colored stock) and metallics (silver, gold, metallic magenta and metallic cyan), and also an optional "photo finish" - a glossy coat applied when you set it to photos. The ability to print out in a four color separation format with thermal transfer, resin-based "inks" - ideal for professional print media.

Alps has discontinued their MicroDry printers (MD series) and supplies are in short supply. If you want it, buy it used, but make sure to buy supplies in bulk when you can find them - CompUSA still carries their supplies. No OEM or downloadable drivers for Windows 2000 or Windows XP, must request them by mail on CD. May occasionally see banding, which can be fixed with software and/or hardware tweaking, but not recommended for average computer user. By most people''s standards, it is quite slow, due to multiple passes for each color and even more for overlays such as the gloss finish, white, and metallics. However, quality takes time. Compare to a true photo printer and it is a speed demon...

The Alps MD-1000, the low-end model of the Alps MD printing family, proves itself quite well and puts most inkjet and many laser printers to the test when it comes to quality. As a graphic artist, I love the ability to print using a CMYK+ (+ is for metallic, white and finish media available) format rather than the traditional RGB color of most laser and inkjet printers. The flexibility and possibilities you have with this printer are endless, from non-fading tee-shirt transfers and temporary tatoos, to model decales and glossy photos without glossy photo paper. Its resolution settings state 1200 x 600, but it is confusing as this printer doesn''t use inkjet technology but a thermal transfer technology for creating smooth transitional prints ideal for photographic and graphic material. As a text printer, it surpasses many laser printers for dark, clean text that doesn''t smear as the ink is dry, smear-proof, and fade-proof (ideal for vinyl and decal work).

Similar Products Used:

MD-5000 (The best Alps option - but still discontinued) with dye-sub - also holds up to 8 cartridges with improved finish features)