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June30th
I have obtained consistently good results printing photos using Epson inkjet printers costing less than $100. The main secrets are to use the slowest and highest quality setting on your printer, good quality inkjet photo paper (I recommend Glossy), and high-resolution photos. Try it a few times with whatever inkjet printer you have; you will likely find it easier and more effective than you thought.
For home use, the new Canon Pixma series of inkjets have an excellent reputation. Epson printers do an excellent job as well. Laser printers can also be used as long as the image quality is acceptable to you and the paper is heavier than usual (e.g., Cover stock).
Here are some more specific details:
* Obtain images from your digital camera. High-resolution (Superfine, Highest Quality) images provide clearer 8x10 or 8.5x11 prints.
* The chart at left, from Flickr.com indicates the minimum dimensions of the photo in pixels; the more pixels, the better.
* Your photo editing software (below) can show you the image size, in pixels.
* You can also download many stunning high-resolution photos from photo sharing sites such as Flickr.com.
* Other prints can be obtained by scanning hardcopy materials at a resolution of 150-300 pixels per inch (300 if the original image is under 8x10 and you will be printing 8.5x11 inches). See the following point.
DoDesignDIY Store
Photo Displays
Our Store has a number of Photo and Print Display items. All are handmade, can be customized, and are available nowhere else. View the items in Store.
How-To Inkjet Print Photos and Art
Also see the DIY section for:
* 10 Ways to Display Your Photos in Style
* Make Yourself an Icon-
Hot storage using cool photos
Resize the image using your photo software: Corel, Photoshop Elements, Microsoft Image, etc. Remember that your digital camera, scanner, and MS Office probably included image-editing software. Photoshop Elements is one of the best for general use. Before you start printing, check your printer utility to make sure you have at least a quarter cartridge each of the color inks, and do a utility test print to ensure that the print heads are well aligned and the color nozzles are not clogged.
For best results with inkjet prints, use standard glossy inkjet photo paper available at many retailers. Staples house brand works well. Be sure not to accidentally purchase laser printer photo paper.
Before printing, be sure to click Center on Page or Borderless in File/Page Setup and/or on your print menu.
Consider first printing a lower resolution (100 ppi) Grayscale image on plain paper to test.
Adjust, then print on gloss photo paper in your printers finest photo mode. Insert paper only one sheet at a time. Printing may be slow, but the results are well worth it.
Let each print dry for a few minutes.
