subject: Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper Buying Guide [print this page] If youre looking to print photos from home for the first time, you should be aware that just any type of printing paper wont give you the professional results you want. But it may be hard for you to find out which type of paper out of the thousands of choices, is right for you. Buying the wrong type of photo quality inkjet paper isnt just a disappointing inconvenienceit can be an expensive mistake. Here is a little buying guide to help you choose the right photo quality inkjet paper for your printer.
The first tip, that many people seem to overlook, is to take note of your printer manufacturer and model before you head out to the office supply store. This can sometimes help you in selecting the right type of paper for your printer. Many manufacturers sell paper for specific models of their printers. This can sometimes be beneficial because the manufacturers have an intimate knowledge of what makes their printers work and therefore would have the best idea of what type of paper would produce the best results.
The next thing you have to consider when shopping for photo quality inkjet paper is the size. Photo quality inkjet paper comes in a variety of sizes, so its best to make your decision is based on the project you plan on using the prints for. For instance, if youre printing family photographs you would need a different size than if you were printing a report cover. The different sizes of photo quality inkjet paper have a ride range. They come in anything from four-by -six inch papers for traditional photo prints to standard letter size for bigger work, and can sometimes even come in rolls, for large-format printing.
The next thing you should look into is the thickness and brightness of the photo quality inkjet paper youre considering buying. This probably has the most affect on the professional look of what youre printing out. Some inkjet paper is designed to be thicker than other photo paper to be able to properly absorb all ink. You should also look for paper with a high-level of brightness. The brighter paper you choose the more light is reflected, which produces really vivid prints.
Another important factor of photo quality inkjet paper is the finish. You have to decide between glossy and matte, and all of the sub-categories in between. Glossy photos give off that straight-from-the-studio quality, while matte photo paper produces often a softer, and less reflective, but equally professional looking. You may want to get samples and test out which type of finish you like the best, as its a purely subjective decision. If you do decide on inkjet glossy photo paper, you should first find out if your printer supports glossy paper and then find out which type of printer paper it works best with.
In closing, if youre overwhelmed by retail stores overwhelming inventory, you can always order online form reputable photo quality inkjet paper suppliers. This can often be cheaper and easier, as you can read more information on the product and reviews before you make a purchase. Good Luck!
