At first I thought the whole idea of a kiosk for making prints or making images available through a web site was nothing more than a way to attract new digital camera users who didn't want the hassle of making their own color prints on their own equipment. Now I have a different view.
After having made hundreds of color prints on my Epson Photo 1200, I can report the quality is excellent. But, and a very big BUT, the image fades when exposed to bright light, even when the light is not sunlight. Thus, the prints, while great looking initially, quickly fade when left on display in areas where there is a normal amount of daylight, irrespective of whether the daylight includes direct sunlight.
As long as this fading remains quite common, a print made through a traditional photographic process will be more permanent. Thus, the kiosk fills an important market niche--the provision of photos as permanent as traditional color prints.
I don't know if the fading problem only affects Epson ink cartridges or whether the same phenomenon occurs on Hewlett Packard or other makes. But it is a serious problem. If anyone has similar problems, or solutions, please let us know.
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