| One
of the greatest joys for any photographer is to hold their
finest photograph in their hands, or--better still--hang it
on the family room wall. But when it comes to photo printers,
you have almost as many choices as when you picked out your
camera. Here are some features to consider when buying a photo
quality printer:
1. Size of print. Printers are categorized
by the maximum size of the print they can produce. Common
choices are a) 4x6 "snapshot," b) up to 8 1/2 x11,
or c) up to 13x19 inches. The bigger you go, the more you
pay.
2. Number of ink colors. The best photo-quality
inkjet printers use six or more ink colors.
3. Ink type. Dye-based inks offer slightly
brighter, more saturated colors compared to pigment inks.
4. Longevity of prints. Pigment inks last
longer than dye-based inks, though life is influenced by the
paper used, too. Most of today's printers will produce prints
that will last as long or longer than standard photo prints.
5. Price range. As with all things electronic,
we get what we pay for. Printers get faster, handle larger
paper and have more inks as price goes up.
6. Print speed. Don't be fooled by the hyped
speed usually displayed with photo printers at the store.
This is usually for draft, non-photo quality. Look for specific
photo-quality speeds.
7. Direct printing. Many printers offer the
possibility of printing directly from your camera (look for
the term PictBridge) or a memory card, so you can print without
going through a computer.
8. Resolution. This is measured in dpi (dots
per inch) and is a minor factor, as all photo-quality printers
today have enough resolution to create beautiful prints.
Photographic
paper | Pick
the Right Photo Paper | How
to Get the Best Prints |
Should
I Invest In A Photo Printer? | How
Color Images are Printed |
Eight
Tips For Buying A Photo Quality Printer | The
Modern Photo Printer |
What
You Need To Know When Buying A Printer |
