As more people purchase digital cameras, the need to print photographs continues to grow. This guide provides tips on what you should consider when purchasing a photo printer.
While a digital camera allows you to email pictures or post them online, you may still want tangible, printed photo to frame or hang on your refrigerator.
You may have taken your camera, or its memory, to Wal-Mart, Kmart or your local pharmacy to print your pictures. However, you may not want to have to leave your house to get your pictures. Even if you have tried an online photo printing service and you get the prints quickly, you will still need your own printer.
Unfortunately, the printer that you already own may not do your photographs justice.
When choosing the proper photo printer, you need to answer several questions:
- Do you have a home computer? (A PC is not necessary for printing photographs.)
- Do you need your photo printer only for printing photographs or do you need it for other print jobs?
- Do you need a photo printer that’s portable?
- How much money are you willing to pay?
- What is your level of expertise? (i.e. are you a professional photographer or just an amateur?)
- What size photograph will you be printing?
Once you have the answers to the above questions, you can begin to shop for a photo printer. Because photo printers vary in price, size, quality and available functions, you should assess your needs and abilities before shopping for one.
Photo Printer Types
Five basic types of printers are available for printing photographs. They are:
- all-in-one printer : If you need a high quality printer and several other devices (scanner, copier, fax), the all-in-one printer is a good choice. Depending on the model, the printer may offer advanced options for printing photographs.
- compact photo printer : As the name suggests, this photo printer is portable. It lets you print photos from any location and is especially good for 4″x6″, 5″x7″ and 4″x12″ photographs.
- inkjet printer : While this printer can produce decent 4″x6″ color photos, it isn’t the best solution for printing numerous photographs.
- photo printer : This is a great choice if you plan to use the printer just for printing photographs. Many photo printers offer photo specific features, including a screen to preview photos.
- professional photo printer : This option can handle larger prints up to 13″x19″.
Photo Printer Features
Photo printers come with various features to enhance the quality of your photos and ease the task of printing photographs. Some photo printer features include:
- editing software : Software and buttons on photo printers may include red-eye reduction, removal of shadows, cropping and other editing features.
- image displays : LCD displays allow you to view photos without a PC.
- memory card slots : Another feature that allows you to forego the PC, these slots accept memory cards from digital cameras for instant printing.
- photo proof sheets : This feature lets you view thumbnails and select photos prior to printing full size photographs.
- photo resolution enhancement : This uses color layering to produce more vibrant photographs.
- share software : Send photographs from your camera through email or to a printer with this feature.
- USB ports : Ports allow your camera to directly connect to the photo printer.
Photo Printer Accessories
Many photo printers are listed as “plug and play,” meaning they’re ready to go right out of the box. This doesn’t mean, however, that you shouldn’t purchase accessories for the photo printer.
If you don’t already have the following accessories, you should consider purchasing them for your photo printer:
- high quality photo paper
- replacement ink cartridges
- USB cable.
The above information should get you started in your hunt for a new photo printer. Remember, the perfect printer is an individual choice that depends on your needs. When it comes to printing photographs, decide what you need and find a photo printer that can deliver. Happy printing!
