Inkjet photo printing basics

Most HP Photosmart printers alert you when you are running low on ink before you actually run out. You can check the estimated ink levels on your computer or your printer’s touchscreen.

Use the following tips to print successfully.

• Use genuine HP ink cartridges. Genuine HP cartridges are designed for and tested with HP printers to help you produce great results, time after time.
• Insert the ink cartridges into the correct slots. Match the color and icon of each cartridge to the color and icon for each slot. Make sure all cartridges snap down into place.
• Make sure the cartridges have sufficient ink. To check the estimated ink levels, follow the instruction in the Tools menu on the printer’s display or on your PC.

Learn more about choosing and using ink and other ink basics.

Make sure the paper-width guide does not bend the paper in the input tray.

Get the most from your photo paper with these tips:

• Load a stack of paper, not just one page. Use clean and flat paper of the same size. Make sure only one type of paper is loaded at a time.
• Adjust the paper-width guide in the input tray to fit snugly against all paper.
• Do not leave unused photo paper in the paper tray. The paper might start to curl. Also, do not allow printed photos to stack up in the paper tray.
• Set the print quality and paper size settings according to the type and size of paper loaded in the input tray. Learn more about how to select print settings.

"You’ll get the best image quality by sticking with inks and papers recommended by your printer’s manufacturer. After all, getting great photos out of an inkjet printer requires ink, paper, and printer to work together like a well-practiced orchestra."
(PC World, May, 2005)

There's a good reason why HP recommends using only genuine HP ink and HP photo paper in an HP printer—because the printer, paper, and ink have been designed and tested together.

• Other types of paper can absorb too much ink, causing images to become blurry or print out too light. Or the ink can spread too far into the paper, causing inaccurate colors or a dull finish.
• Refilling your ink cartridges can spell trouble for your printer—and your photo prints. Ink leakage, poor print quality, fewer photo prints per cartridge—refilling cartridges can increase your printer maintenance and cost you more money in the long run.
• Photo paper like HP Advanced photo paper has several layers that each have a special job—from controlling ink absorption to repelling moisture to creating a smooth photo surface. Not all photo papers work this way.

HP Photosmart 6520 e-All-in-One Printer
$149.99

• Print, scan, copy
• 3.5" color touchscreen
• ISO Print Speed: Up to 12 pages per minute (ppm) black, 8.5 ppm color¹
• HP ePrint—now print from your smartphone or tablet from virtually anywhere²
• Automatic photo tray holds up to 20 pages

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HP 564 Series 3-ink Photo Value Pack
$29.99

• Save 20% on ink and paper with our Photo Value Pack
• Includes 85 sheets of 4" x 6" Advanced Photo Paper plus our 564 cyan, magenta, and yellow cartridges
• Get finely detailed, water-resistant photos that will last for generations

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