Organize a photo printing space

Inspire yourself with a dedicated photo studio at home

Home printing station

Introduction

Creating a dedicated space in your home for photo printing is easy and worthwhile! Rather than letting photos pile up on your memory card, you're more likely to print—and share—your best shots right away. We have practical set-up tips, organizational ideas, and HP printer recommendations to help you create a productive and inspiring space.

Why organize a space for photo printing?

woman holding framed photos of grandchildren

When you print and share photos, not only are you sharing moments, you’re creating art, memories, and even family heirlooms.

If the thought of printing those fabulous photos from your phone or computer seems daunting, maybe it’s time to re-think your space! It’s all about having the right tools and a plan in place to use them efficiently.

A specific place to print photos will inspire you in a number of ways:

  • You'll share more. Photos on social media sites are no substitute for a frameable photo of a grandchild! Plus, friends and family may even reciprocate by sharing more pictures with you.
  • You’ll save time. With all of your supplies in one dedicated space, you won't be searching for envelopes or the right photo paper and ink.
  • You’ll be inspired. When you surround yourself with your photography, you may feel inspired to print more often—and to be artistic in other areas of life.

Step 1: Choose a space

woman admiring photo with printer in background

With everything in one place, the task of sharing photos is a snap.

Since most HP Photosmart printers are wireless, your photo space doesn't have to be large or near your computer. You just need enough space for your photo printer and supplies.

Follow these tips to make this an efficient and inviting space:

  • Keep it welcoming. Have a comfy chair, proper lighting, and enough elbow room so you can get in and get out, without fighting the space.
  • Keep it separate. Don't let it become a dumping ground for junk mail and office papers.
  • Keep it neat. Whether you store supplies in a drawer or out where you can see them, keep things orderly. Use colorful bins, small baskets, or labeled file folders so everything has a place and is within arms’ reach.

Step 2: Decide how you print

hand touching Photo button on the HP Photosmart 7510 touchscreen

Printing photos is surprisingly fast and easy, once you learn the steps.

Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with at least one way to print or transfer photos from your camera, computer, or mobile device. This includes printing in these ways:

  • From memory cards
  • From Snapfish
  • Wirelessly from your PC
  • From a mobile device using HP ePrint1

See all the ways to print photos and find out which method is best for you.

Once you’ve decided on a method, keep the printing tools in your space, such as a USB cable, memory cards, or your Snapfish user name and password.

TIP: Keep your digital camera in the same space so you know exactly where it is when you want to take photos or print from its memory card.

Step 3: Organize your supplies

woman with a shelf of framed photos behind her

Whether giving photos as gifts or keeping for yourself, it’s a good idea to stock your photo station with empty (and affordable!) picture frames.


woman writing note

Be sure to have stationery and greeting cards on hand. Or, print free stationery and cards from the HP Creative Studio.

Decide how you’d like to share or display photos and then stock up on the supplies to get the job done. Here are a few ideas and the corresponding supplies to have on hand:

  • Mailing photos: rigid photo mailers, stamps of the correct denomination, stationery, and address list
  • Giving photos as gifts: affordable photo frames, tissue paper, ribbon, greeting cards, gift bags or wrapping paper
  • Displaying photos: photo frames, photo magnets (available at most office supply stores or online), pushpins, magnets, a digital photo frame

Discover fun ways to display your photos.

TIP: To get really crafty, HP offers dozens of photo ideas and tools, including free photo gifts and photo greeting cards your can print right from your printer’s touchscreen. Learn more.

Step 4: Have ink and paper on hand organize

Not sure what to buy? Use the HP Supplies Finder to find toner for your photo printer.

Keep your photo station stocked with HP ink and paper, so you won’t be scrambling for printing supplies when you want to print!

Get inspired to print

photos displayed with string and clothespins

You don’t need to frame and matte your photos to display them as works of art. Think outside the box!

Inspire yourself to use your photo station by hanging your own masterpieces in your printing space and around your home.

  • Get classy. Use matting and matching photo frames.
  • Get casual. Use cork or magnet boards to display your favorite pictures. Also, the fridge always makes a great gallery space!
  • Go big. Showcase your work on a large scale. The HP Officejet 7500A Wide Format Printer can create a 13" x 19" prints.
  • Get creative. The list of clever ways to display photos is endless. Take a stroll through Pinterest.com to get inspired.

Find the right printer and paper

Wireless HP printers are the perfect key component in any photo printing station.2 In addition to high-quality photo printing, each of the versatile, wireless e-All-in-Ones offer the mobile printing technology HP ePrint—now print from virtually anywhere!1

HP Advanced Glossy Photo Paper

HP Advanced Glossy
Photo Paper 4" x 6"
$13.99

  • Provides rich, vivid colors that are smudge and water resistant
  • Using HP ink and HP photo paper together provides you with photos resist fading for generations3
  • Find HP photo paper now.
HP Photosmart 7510 e-All-in-One Printer

HP Photosmart 7510
e-All-in-One Printer
$199.99

  • Print, scan, copy, and eFax (send faxes without a phone line)
  • 4.3" color touchscreen
  • ISO print speed up to 13.5 ppm black, 9 ppm color4
  • Automatic photo tray holds up to 20 pages
  • Lab-quality photos from 5 individual inks
HP Officejet 7500A Wide Format Printer

HP Officejet 7500A
Wide Format Printer
$199.99

  • Print, scan, copy, and eFax (send faxes without a phone line)
  • 4.3" color touchscreen
  • ISO print speed up to 13.5 ppm black, 9 ppm color6
  • Automatic photo tray holds up to 20 pages
  • Lab-quality photos from 5 individual inks

Visit the HP printer buying guides to see the entire selection of HP printers and e-All-in-Ones.

Learn more

Your photo printing station is not complete until you've stocked it with supplies.

  • 1Requires an Internet connection to the printer; may require a wireless access point with usage fees/data plans, registration, firmware upgrade, etc. ePrint setup requires email and internet access and works with any Internet-connected, email-capable device. Print times and connection speeds may vary. Some smartphones and tablets require data plan purchase. For HP ePrint details, see www.hp.com/go/ePrintCenter.
  • 2Requires a wireless access point and an Internet connection to the printer. Services may require registration. App availability varies by country, language and agreements. For details, www.hp.com/go/ePrintCenter.
  • 3Display-permanence rating by Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc., or HP Image Permanence Lab. For details, see hp.com/go/printpermanence.
  • 4ISO speeds measured using ISO/IEC 24734 or ISO/IEC 29183. Excludes first page or first set of test documents. For more information, see hp.com/go/printerclaims. Exact speed varies depending on the system configuration, software application, driver, and document complexity.