| Hundreds of thousands of digital cameras are sold | | | | per minute. Speed is a merely matter of personal |
| each year. Part of the allure of a digital camera for | | | | choice. |
| most buyers is the ability to take control of editing and | | | | Other features |
| to produce their own images at home. For anyone | | | | There are numerous other features that might be of |
| who plans to print their photographs, a new printer will | | | | interest for the digital camera owner. For instance, a |
| probably be necessary. The quality of the printed | | | | borderless printing feature allows users to print the |
| images will be dependent upon the printer, the ink, the | | | | image to the edge of the paper which eliminates the |
| paper and finish, as well as the print settings that are | | | | need to trim photographs after printing. Some users |
| selected. | | | | need a printer that is mobile, one that they can take |
| Popular Types of Printers | | | | with them. Many printers have an LCD screen that |
| Several decisions will guide the type of printer selected: | | | | allows users to preview their prints; others have |
| the speed of printing that is desired, the cost, and the | | | | multiple functions such as scanning, faxing, and copying |
| end quality of the printed image. Inkjet printers are | | | | in addition to their printing capabilities. |
| common, affordable, and can produce nice images. | | | | Connections and compatibility |
| Laser printers are faster and can produce an even | | | | It is important to check how a new printer will connect |
| higher quality print but they are certainly more | | | | to the computer that will be used. Obviously the printer |
| expensive. Dye Sublimation Printers do not use ink or | | | | must be compatible with the operating system. In |
| toner but instead use dyes to produce prints that are | | | | some instances, the computer can be by-passed by |
| photo lab quality; but again they carry a higher price | | | | using a memory card slot that allows editing and |
| tag. Images produced from dye sublimation printers are | | | | printing from the camera's memory card directly. |
| less susceptible to fading and distortion over time. | | | | Paper and ink |
| Regardless of the type of printer selected, there are | | | | Better paper can play a significant role in producing |
| other characteristics about the printer which digital | | | | great images and in determining how time, moisture, |
| camera owners need to consider when making a | | | | and bright light will affect the print. Paper brightness, |
| selection. | | | | weight, and finish vary. In general, paper that is |
| Resolution | | | | designed for the specific printer being used, and for the |
| Just as the resolution on a digital camera is important in | | | | purpose of printing photos is the best choice. |
| determining image quality, so is the resolution for the | | | | Manufacturers make recommendations as to the best |
| printer. Printer resolution is basically the number of dots | | | | paper to use in photo printing. Likewise, ink from the |
| printed in a square inch. Image quality improves as the | | | | printer manufacturer also tends to be a safe bet as |
| dpi increases. For instance, a dpi of 1200x600 and up | | | | cheaper/non-manufacturer labeled ink is sometimes of |
| would be very good for photographs. | | | | lesser quality. In addition, manufacturers often produce |
| Ink Cartridges | | | | paper and inks that are developed specifically to work |
| A printer with separate cartridges for black and other | | | | well together. Paper finish can be variations from |
| colors produces better color prints. Some of the best | | | | matte to high gloss. Most color photographs are printed |
| images come from high quality photo printers with 6 | | | | with a glossy finish while many black and white images |
| colors. Simply put, if only 4 shades are available, the | | | | make use of a matte finish. |
| colors within the printed image will have less range and | | | | A Final Consideration |
| won't be as "true" or life-like. If printing black and white | | | | Once a printer is selected, the paper and finish |
| images, it is also advisable to use a printer with a | | | | determined, novices need to be sure to select print |
| separate cartridge for black ink so that the blacks are | | | | settings that will create quality images also. Selecting |
| truer. | | | | the highest resolution settings and making sure print |
| Speed | | | | settings match the paper to be used is the final step in |
| Faster printers are generally more expensive. Speed is | | | | assuring high quality prints. |
| indicated in the literature for a printer as ppm or pages | | | | |