subject: Guide To Improve Your Photo Image Printing [print this page] Guide To Improve Your Photo Image Printing
Printing good quality photo images is dependent on becoming acquainted with a number of key working variables. Basically, this means from quality of camera, lens and image resolution to preparing and processing the captured images on extensive and flexible computer software tools, and finally, careful choice of purchasing and set up of printer, paper and quality of printer toners or printer ink cartridges.
Capturing The Image
For a majority of straightforward, everyday business or home-based applications, today's range of mobile and camera smartphones are comparable to basic digital cameras, having rapidly improved and very capable of taking higher resolution images at an acceptable level. While a standard 5 megapixel camera offering 800 x 600 dpi capability can easily provide a top quality 4" x 6" print, many of today's camera phones are manufactured with up to 10, or even 12 megapixel resolution.
Processing The Image
After uploading to a computer via memory card or USB cable, the next important step is to edit the images using either the onboard or open source software. The aim is to enhance the images for final print size with the option of cropping, increasing the resolution, altering colour temperature levels, adjusting brightness or contrast, eliminating red-eye. For certain presentation purposes, additional effects such as sepia-tone imaging and different types of framing can be created. Selecting the correct file format is vital if forwarding electronically to be printed at another location. While files should be saved as a TIFF for best print quality, it is always best that JPEG photos are compressed when sending via email and not for printing photos.
Type of Printer
Carefully investigation and then selection of the right type of printer for photo image printing is absolutely vital to achieving successful results. A traditional high quality, water and dirt-resistantdye-sublimation printer, which fuses layers of film onto paper, are designed for high speed printing. However, as a result of the development in digital technology there is now a tremendous, wide range of specific photo printers available on the market , which provide a high level of quality image reproduction.
Similarly, inkjet cartridge printers have undergone a revolution and can now produce a much improved standard of high quality and water-resistant photo print, comparable to dye-sublimation printers, unobtainable just a few years ago. The availability of a range of good alternative compatible ink cartridges means even the purchasing of cheap ink cartridges can both help to keep the higher cost of photo printing to a minimum and maintain quality finish.
Preparing The Printer
It's essential to check all the necessary and latest versions of the printer drivers are installed and current printer settings correctly configured, checking and checking each individual menu box. Ensure the correct printer is identified and computer click signal activates the route to the current, required printer.
While each brand and in some cases, individual same brand models will have slightly different set ups, it's always important to check the manual for ways to increase dpi (dots per inch) settings to improve picture resolution.
Today's photo printers come with photo editing software as standard, and include memory card slots and colour LCD screens to be used to upload images directly without a computer.
Choosing The Photo Paper
Choosing the right type of photo paper is critical! For the best print result, always select the highest quality of paper that can be afforded. It's often considered that a glossy finish is best for colour printing while a matte finish best serves black-and-white photos, but this infinitely variable according to application. It's always a practical precaution to test print on plain white paper first to check results before final printing, which will save unnecessary waste and cost.
Try to match paper size to the print and raise dpi level as the enlargement of papersize, may make the surface appear grainy if the image is not altered before printing. Manual rather than automatic paper feeding is always the best option, and be sure to keep checking paper alignment. Finally, be extra vigilant when prints appear, and always allow to dry completely before handling.
