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Digital Photo Printing Options
From home printers to print services, weigh the printing possibilities.
If you’ve gone digital with your camera, it’s never been easier to get great quality prints for your scrapbook pages.
With printing options ranging from do-it-yourself to professional services, weigh the pros and cons of each to find a printing choice that fits your particular need. Your best decision will be a balance of your budget, your creative needs and your time considerations.
home printing
With a home printer, you can set up a photo lab surrounded by the creativity and comforts of your own workspace. No more waiting for photos to be processed, simply print to your heart’s desire, working at any time you wish. One way to calculate the cost of operating a printer is to think about your costs per print. For popular printers to produce a 4 x 6" print, the price range can be 45 cents to $1, which includes the cost of ink and paper.
If you are in the market for a printer, manufacturer Internet sites are a great place to do your research and compare products.
You’ll find printers that can scan, copy and fax all in one unit. Having all of these features in one unit can really conserve on space but you may compromise quality in the final photo print. For example, a copier or faxing function does not need a high-quality photo printer and so the printer section of an all-in-one unit might not be optimized for the best photo results.
Personal mini printers that
make 4 x 6" prints or smaller are a handy portable size. Most of these compact printers allow you to print your photos directly from your memory card or your computer. For enlargements the size of a scrapbook page, look for a printer capable of printing over 11 inches in width. To determine what size photos a printer is capable of, look at the printer specifications.
While you can always print
photos on a general all-purpose color printer, the results from a photo-quality printer will actually look like a photo—sharper with better color, contrast and finish.
Some printers do not require a computer. With these models you can produce photos directly from your digital camera or media card. Take note of which media format you use and verify that the printer will accept that particular format. Many models allow you to see your results on a small built-in screen even before you use any paper or ink. The screen may also double as a menu for printing and editing options. For printing directly from your camera, check the manuals to be sure both printer and camera support PictBridge—the technology that allows them to talk. Since the camera will have to be powered on while it is plugged in to the printer, an AC power connection will save batteries.
For the most creative photo enhancements, cropping and
adjustments, image-editing software with a computer-connected printer is a must. This configuration offers you the most control over the final product. Often the printer will include software to help you in managing and printing your digital images. Make sure your computer is compatible with the list of those supported by the software.
If you are looking to purchase a printer to use with your computer, know the cable will not be supplied with the printer. You will need to identify the types of connection your PC offers, such as Firewire or the more common, USB. Avoid using the older parallel port as this cable is bulkier and it will require more time to send your photos to the printer.
One of the surprises of printing your own photos can be the cost of what is often referred to as “consumables.” These are the supplies of inks, cartridges or other materials that need to be replenished as you use the printer. Separate ink cartridges for each color will reduce costs by allowing you to replace only the ink color that is running low. Price all these items along with the printer and cable to get a truer idea of the costs associated with home photo printing.
Many photo printers offered today have ink colors beyond the typical cyan, magenta and yellow colors to get the most vibrant results. Having spares of each on hand might need to be factored into your budget if your demands are high. Make sure the consumables are readily available as some models might require supplies that aren’t stocked where you normally shop.
Another consumable is photo-quality paper. The cost is much higher than that of general-purpose printer paper, and the bounty of choices can be confusing. While you can print on regular paper, the results will not be optimal for photos. The printer manufacturer usually recommends their brand for the best results, which is a good starting point. If you are not getting the best results, first check the paper that you are using and then experiment with different brands.
Photo printing paper comes in a number of finishes. The smooth matte finish will minimize fingerprint smudges as well as reflective glare—a great fit for scrapbooks without page protectors handled by many hands. For prints that rival a photographic print, a satin or high-gloss finish ensures snappy and clear details. Paper stock might also be a factor for you, and often the finishes are available in medium and heavier weights. Make sure the paper has the archival quality you would expect for maximum longevity.
photo lab printing
Your local photo lab can produce high-quality prints directly from your camera or media card. You can take your media card or a CD to a local photo lab for processing.
Just like working with 35mm slides or negatives, they will produce photos for you from your digital images. The lab will print your images with equipment that uses a chemistry process on real photo paper so your results are just like a traditional photograph. The cost will be similar to traditional photographic prints. You will also be able to order larger sized prints than a typical home printer can produce, such as
12 x 18" and 16 x 20". Prints are typically ready for you within a hours if not minutes, costing similar to traditional photos.
self-serve kiosk printing
If you prefer to crop and make other adjustments yourself, the self-serve photo kiosk may meet your needs. These units generally will accept all forms of media cards as well as CDs and allow you to command the final output. Some units also have built-in scanners. They offer large displays to preview your work and simple-to-follow menus. Many offer a number of creative effects, such as borders and themes to further enhance your final presentation. Some vendors, such as Kodak, offer a system that caters to 12 x 12" prints and special effects. Prints from kiosks are generally produced for you immediately.
internet printing and sharing
If you can wait just a few days for your prints to be finished, an online photo printer might be a great option for you. These Internet sites allow you to upload your images for sharing as well as printing. Not only can you share your photos with friends and family by allowing them access to your albums, but they can order prints as well. Because an Internet connection is used to transmit the image files to the site, a faster broadband connection will be preferable for a number of images.
These print prices are very competitive with your local lab and will be less than the cost of home printing. Your prints will typically arrive within 2 to 3 days. In addition to larger prints up to poster size, many also offer other specialty products featuring your photos, such as calendars, mouse pads, coffee cups, etc. There are also professionally oriented sites if you have special requirements beyond the average consumer.
There is a digital photo printing option to suit most any need and pocketbook. If home photo printing isn’t an option for you, a local photo lab can produce results within an hour. Or perhaps you’ll appreciate the simplicity of a self-serve kiosk. If you travel, an Internet site can have your prints waiting for you when you return home. Try these digital photo printing options to get quality prints to adorn your pages.
