Alps
The Basics
The Alps MD-5000 is a Photographic-quality color printer. It is a high resolution printer that uses a micro dry thermal resin printer. These are ribbon style cartridges that are used to place various size dots onto paper to create an image.

This Alps MD printer is capable of a 600 by 2400 dpi resolution. It can print in vibrant color or monochrome. Prints can be in standard colors, metallic colors or even white.

This Alps printer can also be upgraded to a dye sublimation printer by purchasing an upgrade kit. If you upgrade this Alps Electronic printer to dye sublimation printer you will get a continuous tone, making images look as clear as photographs.

Features
The Alps printer lines produce smear proof, fade proof, and water resistant prints. These prints are intended to last a lifetime.

In addition, you can print quality images with discount Alps printers on virtually any surface. This means you can print on Transparencies, foil surfaces, cardstock, T-shirt transfers and glossy mediums.

Also, because each type of color has its own ribbon cartridge you will save money. This is because you will use different color at different rates and this feature allows you to replace only the colors that have run out.

Specifications
This printer is 18.2 inches wide, 11.8 inches deep, by 7.5 inches high, making it a fairly compact printer. The unit weighs 11 pounds and 8 ounces. There are no ink cartridges, but you can install up to seven ribbons. The MD-5000 also has a pullout tray to receive paper. This tray will retract when not being used.

User Level
This printer is easy to use, but it does help to have some previous printing experience when using these printers. Alps printers are not cheap and are intended for serious beginners, intermediate or advanced computer users. It is an ideal printer for graphic artists, serious hobbyists, small businesses, and professional photographers.

Disadvantage
The micro dry printers sometimes experience banding. This is when extra lines appear on the image, which is common in printers that print in a row and multiple pass printers. This can usually be avoiding if you change the subjects or backgrounds you are printing.