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Configuration (8.00)
The ink cartridges on compact dye sublimation photo printers like the Panasonic PX20 are one of the simplest configurations possible, with a single cassette providing all three colors and the overcoat layer. These cartridges are virtually the same for all printers, although the exact design is specific to each manufacturer.
While dye sub printers may not produce the best looking prints, they do provide the user with easy cartridge loading and no messy inks. The dyes are affixed on the thin roll of film within the cassette. A section of film equivalent to the size of the print is used for each color. Heated rollers allow the dye to be transferred to the paper based on the image information communicated from the memory card or computer.
Value (2.00)
Based on Panasonic’s prices on their website, a 108-sheet print pack (paper and ink sold together) costs $49.95. This breaks down to 46 cents a print, much higher than the competitiors. This is especially true when comparing the cost to other dye sub printers like the Canon Selphy CP730, for which ink and paper sets can be purchased with 108 sheets for $29.99. That breaks down to 28 cents a print. Sony sells 120-sheet paper and ink packs for its PictureStation DPP-FP90 for $34.99, which comes out to 29 cents a print.
Note when purchasing ink sets from the Panasonic website that the 108-sheet, 36-sheet, and 20-sheet packs (KX-PVMS108KM, KX-PVMS36KM, and KX-PVMS20WM, respectively) do not indicate that they are sold with the ink cassettes. However, they are, according to the information found in the Operating Instructions.
Toner management (2.00)
There is no tool available to manage ink levels, other than a warning on the printer’s screen when the ink runs out that a new cassette needs to be loaded. Users can only judge by the amount of paper they have left, since Panasonic, like other dye sub printer manufacturers, sell their paper and ink in print packs.
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