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choose a photo printer
There are hundreds of printers available and knowing what to buy if difficult without some knowledge here's what you need to know.
There are two main methods to print photos -
Ink jet and Dye Sublimation. Don't worry too much about which type is best, both can provide stunning prints straight out of the camera.
There are also two methods of getting your photos from the camera to into your photo printer. Most new printers allow you to print directly from a digital camera. Look for a facility called PictBridge which is a standardized technology that allows you to print images straight from the memory card in your digital camera directly to a printer, regardless of brand. The technology completely bypasses the need for a computer. Each PictBridge device is automatically recognized by the other. All you have to do is connect your camera to the printer with the lead supplied and follow the Print Image instructions on your camera and printer screens, it really is quite straight forward.
Some printers may also have a slot into which you push the memory card from your camera so make sure to check the features list to make sure your choice of printer accepts the memory card used by your digital camera.
beware - some printers cost less to buy than the replacement print cartridges, so look for machines with seperate black and individual colour cartridges where possible.(does not apply to portable printers)
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Portable, photo only printers
Why should I buy this type of printer ?
can be used with or with out a computer to produce a print small enough to take to an event and produce a print from your camera almost as soon as you have taken it small enough to hide away somewhere when not in use they generally produce high quality 6 x 4 inch photos usually very easy to use with ink and paper in easy to buy and install packs
Why I should not buy this type of printer
- only produce up to 7 x 5 inch prints - most only produce 6 x 4 inch prints, so be careful
- can only print photo, no letters or other documents
- the convenience means ink and paper are more expensive than larger format printers
- you can buy a larger format printer for the same amount of money or less
Look at models from Epson Picturemate - Canon Selphy - Hewlett Packard Photosmart
All in one printer - copier - scanner
Why should I buy this type of printer ?
cheaper models offer excellent value for money with three or sometimes four ( fax ) features included great general purpose printer and occasional photo printer photo quality may be good enough for most people ( family snaps ) can scan and print old photo prints and some even scan negatives and slides, so check features if important - when connected to a computer can be used as a general all purpose document and photo printer
- some high spec models allow scanning slides and negative film
Why I should not buy this type of printer ! can take up a lot of desk top space cheaper models only have two ink cartridges - black and three colour - these are more expensive to run as when one color runs out you have to throw them away even when the other colors are nearly full cheaper models won't produce the best photo quality can't use bulk ink systems to save money
Look at models from - Hewlett Packard - Epson - Canon - Lexmark and Brother
A dedicated photo printer
Why should I buy this type of printer ?
- usually better photo quality on a cheaper printer
- even cheaper models produce good quality photo prints
- faster to print photos than non dedicated photo printers
- available to from A4 size upwards to produce prints of almost any size
- some large format printers can also print on canvas and board
- some photo printers can take bulk ink systems which will save money
- OK for occasional text based documents
- generally has greater range of color and photo print options available
- some models allow Continuous Ink Systems to be fitted to save ink ( see buy ink cartridges )
Why I should not buy this type of printer ! - an take up a lot of desk top space
- cheaper models only have two ink cartridges - black and three colour - these are more expensive to run as when one color runs out you have to throw them away even when the other colors are nearly full
- often slow for normal text documents as they are set up for photos
Look at models from - Hewlett Packard - Epson - Canon - Lexmark
Papers and Ink
As already stated look for printers with seperate colour ink tanks which can be replaced when each individual color has run out.
To keep things simple use the manufactures recommended ink cartridges and papers. see print a photo and buy ink cartridges for more information.
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