COSTAR FP-74 Contact Printer

( Brand: Costar ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: FP-74 ), ( Type: Processing Equipment ), ( Unit Type: Unit ), ( Compatible With Film Type: Black White, Colour ), ( Country Of Origin: United States )

Review COSTAR Vintage Contact Proof Printer

The Costar FP-74 Contact Printer is a versatile and high-performing printing solution designed for businesses and organizations in need of producing large quantities of labels, badges, or other small format prints. This contact printing machine is engineered with a robust build quality, ensuring reliability and durability in even the most demanding environments.

The FP-74 printer utilizes a 7.4-inch (188mm) thermal transfer printhead, capable of printing high-resolution images and text with excellent clarity and color accuracy. The printhead is adjustable, allowing for precise registration and alignment of your print media. The printer can handle a wide range of print media sizes, from 1.5 inches by 2 inches (38mm x 51mm) up to 7.4 inches by 11 inches (188mm x 279mm).

The Costar FP-74 Contact Printer boasts a user-friendly design, with a large, backlit LCD display and intuitive controls that make it easy for operators to navigate menus, adjust settings, and troubleshoot issues. The printer also offers multiple connectivity options, including USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi, enabling seamless integration with your existing IT infrastructure.

This contact printer is known for its impressive print speed, with a maximum output of up to 15 inches per second (381mm/s), allowing you to produce large quantities of prints quickly and efficiently. The printer also features a high-capacity ribbon cartridge, which can hold up to 2,500 feet (762 meters) of ribbon, reducing the need for frequent ribbon replacements.

The Costar FP-74 Contact Printer comes with a variety of built-in features designed to enhance your printing experience, such as automatic printhead cleaning, ribbon tension adjustment, and media roller adjustment. The printer is also compatible with a wide range of ribbons and print media, giving you the flexibility to customize your prints to meet your specific requirements.

In summary, the Costar FP-74 Contact Printer is a powerful and versatile printing solution that offers excellent print quality, fast print speeds, and user-friendly design. It is ideal for businesses and organizations that require large quantities of labels, badges, or other small format prints, and its robust build quality and flexible connectivity options make it a reliable and efficient addition to any workflow.

The Costar FP-74 Contact Printer is an analogue photographic printing device that has gained popularity among photographers for its ability to produce high-quality, large-format prints directly from negatives. Below are some pros and cons that may help you decide if this printer is the right choice for your photography needs.

1. Superior image quality: The Costar FP-74 produces prints with exceptional detail, tonal range, and color accuracy, making it an ideal choice for photographers who value the tactile experience and aesthetic appeal of large-format prints.

2. Versatility: This printer is compatible with a wide range of film formats, from 35mm to 8x10 inches, allowing photographers to experiment with various film stocks and aspect ratios.

3. Manual control: The Costar FP-74 offers photographers full control over the printing process, enabling them to fine-tune exposure, contrast, and color balance to achieve their desired results.

4. Cost-effective: Compared to professional lab printing services, the Costar FP-74 can be a more cost-effective option for producing large-format prints in-house.

5. Creative potential: Contact printing allows for various creative techniques, such as double exposures, solarization, and split toning, which can add unique artistic flair to your prints.

1. Learning curve: The Costar FP-74 requires a significant investment of time and effort to learn how to use it effectively. This includes understanding the various exposure settings, developing the necessary skills to achieve consistent results, and troubleshooting potential issues.

2. Maintenance requirements: Regular maintenance, such as cleaning the printer's rollers and developer bath, is necessary to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the printer.

3. Limited print size: Despite its large-format capabilities, the Costar FP-74 has a maximum print size of 16x20 inches, which may not be suitable for all photographic projects.

4. Environmental impact: Chemical darkroom processes, such as those used in contact printing, can have a significant environmental impact due to the consumption of water, chemicals, and energy.

5. Cost: The initial investment for a Costar FP-74 and the ongoing costs of maintaining the printer, purchasing chemicals, and buying film can be substantial.

The Costar FP-74 Contact Printer offers photographers the opportunity to produce high-quality large-format prints in-house with a greater degree of creative control. However, it comes with a significant learning curve, ongoing maintenance requirements, and a relatively high cost. Ultimately, the decision to invest in a Costar FP-74 depends on your photography goals, budget, and level of dedication to the art of contact printing.

If you are a passionate photographer who values the tactile experience and artistic potential of large-format prints, the Costar FP-74 Contact Printer may be an excellent investment. However, if you are looking for a more convenient, cost-effective, or environmentally-friendly alternative, consider exploring digital printing options or professional lab services.

Details:

It offers a unique way to create contact proofs, making it valuable tool for photographers looking achieve precise and reliable results in their darkroom or developing setup. While it does not come with a manufacturer warranty, its durability and authenticity make sought-after addition to any film photography enthusiasts collection. The Vintage Costar Contact Proof Printer FP-74 is a rare and sought-after piece of film photography equipment.

part #: fp74 prices

• $19.99-$50.00

specifications darkroomeq:

• brand: Costar
• mpn: Fp-74
• type: Processing Equipment
• unit type: Unit
• compatible with film type: Black White, Colour
• country of origin: United States

shipping darkroomeq:

• cost: $8.00
• transit: 5-12 Days
• service: USPS Ground Advantage
• class: Standard
• type: Fixed
• carrier: USPS

offer darkroomeq:

• options: Ship-to-home
• best offers: True
• started: October 29, 2025
• availability: In Stock
• sold: 0
• quantity: 1

general darkroomeq:

• Film Photography > Darkroom Developing > Processing Finishing Equip
• condition: Used

seller darkroomeq:

• # reviews: 67
• rating: 100.0%
• city: Blanchard, Oklahoma

payments darkroomeq:

• credit card: Discover
• other
• wallet: Paypal

returns darkroomeq:

• policy: No Returns