| For those who purchase a digital camera hoping to | | | | non-porous" paper. This swellable attribute means that |
| print their photos at home, there are numerous | | | | the paper swells as ink is absorbed and then shrinks |
| decisions to make before creating photo lab quality | | | | as it dries, resulting in a barrier that protects the ink |
| images. The printer, ink, paper, and print settings | | | | from exposure to air. Although offering better fade |
| selected will all be important. For the easiest and surest | | | | resistance, this swellable paper is generally a bit more |
| way to get the best results most experts would | | | | expensive. However for those who are willing to |
| recommend that the printer, ink, and paper should be | | | | accept a slower drying time and live in a low humidity |
| produced by the same manufacturer. There is good | | | | environment, it is a good choice. |
| reason behind this, as manufacturers develop these | | | | There are numerous finishes available. In most |
| products specifically to work together and they can | | | | instances, a glossy, high gloss, or satin gloss finish is |
| vary significantly between makers. | | | | preferred by most consumers for color photographs |
| There are a variety of sizes, finishes, textures, and so | | | | while a matte finish is generally the choice for black |
| forth to choose from when selecting the paper to be | | | | and white photos. Glossy photo paper is among the |
| used. Using plain printing paper is generally not sufficient | | | | most expensive but is highly recommended for most |
| for printing images from a digital camera, as the ink | | | | color prints to assure the best image and greatest |
| tends to absorb too quickly resulting in puddles of ink | | | | durability. Images produced on glossy photo paper tend |
| and fuzzy images. This paper, typically used for printing | | | | to make images from a digital camera look most |
| text documents, may also curl or warp and offers no | | | | similar to those created in a photo lab. |
| real protection from fading due to exposure to air and | | | | The size of paper used depends upon the images that |
| light. | | | | will be printed and, of course, the printer's capability. |
| A porous coated paper is a somewhat better choice | | | | Common sizes include 4x6, 8.5x11, 11x 17, and 13x19. |
| and it allows quicker drying resulting in a more | | | | Although 4x6 is the traditional size of most prints, larger |
| acceptable image. However, these papers generally | | | | paper can allow the user to fit multiple prints onto a |
| don't produce a photograph that will stand the test of | | | | single page. Speciality sizes are available for printing |
| time as they are not well protected from the air. | | | | panoramic shots, gift cards, and other odd size images. |
| Fading will occur rather rapidly. | | | | The digital camera has brought many conveniences to |
| Photo paper is designed specifically for producing and | | | | the world of home photography. The ability to produce |
| preserving photos taken with a digital camera. This | | | | high quality, durable photographs without a photo lab is |
| paper will produce a more color saturated image. | | | | quite possible using the right paper, printer, and ink. |
| Some of the paper is described as "swellable, | | | | |