| Undeniably, photo prints still remain the | | | | indicates the number of individual dots a |
| most popular way of sharing memories. With | | | | device can create on a page per square inch |
| the right printer and a handful of simple | | | | of area. For crisp, colourful, |
| techniques, your pictures can look as sharp | | | | professional-looking prints, you should |
| as the lab-processed ones. Read on for some | | | | choose a printer with at least 600 x 600 dpi. |
| great tips for getting the best prints | | | | Otherwise, your photos may turn out pixilated |
| possible. | | | | (objects will appear jagged and speckled). |
| | | | |
| Start with a Good Image The first thing you | | | | Printer Drivers Printer drivers play the |
| need to get a good print - a high-quality | | | | role of translators, acting as a medium of |
| image. An image that merely looks good | | | | communication between your printer and |
| onscreen is not enough. Here's what a good | | | | computer. To help fix problems and bring |
| image file would have: | | | | significant performance improvements, it is |
| | | | important to use the most current version |
| Good Resolution Resolution refers to the | | | | available for your printer. Printer |
| number of pixels in an image {usually stated | | | | manufacturers regularly update drivers, and |
| in dpi (dots per inch) or PPI (pixels per | | | | you can download new versions for free from |
| inch).}. The more pixels a photo has, the | | | | the company's website. |
| more clarity and detail it will retain as you | | | | |
| increase its dimensions. Resolution can also | | | | Resolution Settings Refer to your printer's |
| be expressed by the width and height of the | | | | manual to learn how to change quality |
| image, and the total number of pixels it | | | | settings. Usually, you would want 'best |
| contains. For example, an image that is 1500 | | | | quality' resolution for photos; however, for |
| pixels wide and 2100 pixels high (1500 x | | | | wallet-size prints, 'normal' resolution may |
| 2100) contains 3,150,000 pixels-or almost 3.2 | | | | be enough. Experiment with your printer |
| mega pixels. Most digital cameras offer | | | | settings to see which ones give you |
| a variety of resolution settings. It's a good | | | | satisfactory results. |
| idea to use a higher-quality setting if you | | | | |
| plan on printing large sized pictures. Here | | | | Paper Settings Paper settings control the |
| are some general guidelines: Less than 640 x | | | | amount of ink that is laid down on paper; |
| 480 pixels = Wallet-size prints. Good for | | | | therefore, using the setting that matches |
| E-mailing to friends , picture displays on | | | | your photo paper is essential to making good |
| the refrigerator etc. 640 x 480 pixels = 4" | | | | prints. When you find a setting that works |
| x 6" photo prints. These are going to be best | | | | best for a particular paper type, make note |
| for photo albums, General usage including | | | | of it so you will be able to get the same |
| craft projects (scrapbooks, stickers, etc). | | | | results when you use that paper again. |
| 1152 x 864 pixels = 5" x 7" photo prints. | | | | |
| These are good for framing for home display, | | | | Clean and Clear Running the 'clean' function |
| screensavers and photo greeting cards 1600 x | | | | in your printer every two to three months |
| 1200 pixels = 8" x 10" or larger. Good for | | | | improves print appearance and prevents |
| framing, screensavers for home or gallery | | | | problems such as streaking and clogging. You |
| display and photo calendars | | | | can access 'properties' settings to perform |
| | | | maintenance actions such as cleaning the |
| Best Format Even if your image is high | | | | printer nozzles and aligning the print head. |
| resolution, you will still need to save it in | | | | Understand Your Ink and Paper Your choice |
| the correct file format: TIFF or JPEG. For | | | | of printing supplies, such as paper and ink, |
| best printing results, always save your | | | | can make the difference between a good print |
| pictures in the TIFF format (example: | | | | and a great one. |
| my_friends.tiff). Although this format | | | | |
| results in a slightly larger file size, it | | | | Paper and Ink Selection Using Original |
| will produce the most satisfactory results. | | | | Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) supplies would |
| The JPEG format (example: my_friends.jpg) is | | | | definitely assure you of the quality but they |
| preferable for e-mailing photos as it results | | | | come with a price. Nowadays, Canon and HP |
| in smaller, compressed files-ideal for | | | | boast of inks that deliver optimum colour and |
| sending electronically. | | | | fade resistance up to 110 years. Non-OEM |
| | | | supplies are definitely cheaper, but its |
| Quality Control Use a good image-editing | | | | debatable whether they can achieve the same |
| program to remove dust marks and specks on | | | | quality. |
| your photos. The printer will most definitely | | | | |
| pick up imperfections even if they're very | | | | Drying Time Before you frame a photo print |
| small. You can also use the sharpening option | | | | or add it to a scrapbook, be sure to give it |
| to more clearly define the edges of objects | | | | enough time to dry. Most OEM inks and papers |
| in your print. Use a Good Printer and Know | | | | are designed to dry within an hour or so, but |
| How to Use it Once you are familiar with the | | | | it is best to allow the print to dry for |
| features and settings of your printer, you | | | | about 24 hours prior to framing or placing it |
| will be able to get the best possible | | | | in a photo album. If you are printing |
| results. | | | | multiple pictures, remove them from the |
| | | | printer slide as they come out and set them |
| Avoid DPI Dilemmas Dots per inch (dpi) is a | | | | aside. This will eliminate any chances of |
| measurement of print resolution that | | | | accidental smearing or running. |