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