| The latest photo printers make it more convenient than ever to
print great pictures at home. See how a photo printer can be a valuable
tool for any photographer. And learn more about the features that
can help you get the most from one.
Photo-printing features
A range of features on
today’s photo printers—from paper
sensors that recognize photo media to built-in editing tools—make
it easy to get great prints at home. Here are just a few of the photo-friendly
features of various printers:
- Models with memory card slots allow you to print
without a PC. Simply insert your camera’s memory card and
print—no cables required.
- A color LCD screen displays
your photos before you print. Some printers also have front-panel
buttons for easy previewing, editing, and red-eye removal.
- Photo proof sheets display thumbnail images
on a printed page so you can preview and select your favorite
photos to print full-size.
- Place your camera in a built-in dock for one-touch
connections to your printer, TV, and PC. This is especially convenient
for printing directly from your camera. Plus, you recharge your
batteries every time you connect.
Resolution and print quality
Resolution determines the
quality of text and images a printer produces. It’s measured in
dots per inch (dpi), the number of dots of ink the printer can lay down
in a line one inch long. Higher dpi equals higher resolution and sharper
photos. Look for a printer with a minimum of 1200 x 1200 dpi for good
quality.
Some printers have an optimized resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi, meaning
that the technologies (such as multiple inks) and software that enhance
image quality have been factored into the total dpi. These enhancements
can improve your pictures, although they don’t increase the
number of dots per inch the printer lays down.
The latest printers feature multiple ink cartridges, which dramatically
increases the number of possible color combinations and the quality
of both color and black-and-white images printed at home.
Paper handling
When you’re shopping for a photo
printer, consider these paper-handling factors to find the model that
meets your needs:
- Capacity: How many sheets a printer holds determines
how often you need to add paper. Most personal printers hold from
100 to 300 sheets.
- Versatility: Some printers can print on thicker
sheets of paper (such as card stock), while others cannot. Choose
a printer that can handle the types of paper you intend to use.
- Paper size: Most printers will handle letter
(8 1/2" x 11") and legal (8 1/2" x 14") sizes,
and some can print on borderless 4" x 6" and 5" x
7" photo paper, panoramic paper, and envelopes.
- Other features: Some models have multiple paper
trays for various types of paper, a duplexer for printing two-sided
projects, and automatic paper-type sensors.
Portability
Portable printers are lightweight and
compact (some are also battery-powered), giving you the freedom to
print photos anywhere you go—on a
road trip or picnic, for example. Select models allow you to print
directly from your camera; you don’t even need a PC.
And just because portable printers are smaller than full-size models
doesn’t mean they have fewer features; many come with memory
card slots, LCD screens, and other photo-friendly features that larger
photo printers have.
Compatibility
Most printers feature USB connectivity
and a parallel connection (which utilizes a specialized port on your
PC). A USB connection between your printer and PC offers a faster
transfer rate than a parallel one, and the best mobility if you want
to move the printer between computers. Buy a cable when you purchase
your printer if it’s
not included.
If you want to print photos directly from your camera’s media
card without a PC, you’ll need a printer with compatible memory
card slots. Many printers now feature 9-in-1 card readers compatible
with various types of memory, so you can print from more than one
kind of camera memory card (if you have multiple cameras, for example).
Speed
Today’s printers produce pictures very quickly, making it
convenient to print your own photos. Speed is expressed in pages per
minute (ppm). The fastest models print documents up to 32 ppm for
black and 31 ppm for color, and print a high-quality 4" x 6" color
photo in as little as 14 seconds.
But speed isn’t everything; quality counts, too. Higher-quality
photos take longer to print. So if you’re not in a hurry, consider
choosing a higher-quality printer setting for better looking pictures.
Read more about choosing an HP
photo printer or check out featured
HP photo printers.
Back to top |
