No matter how focused you might be on online image viewing and sharing, it’s difficult to downplay the attraction of prints. For most of us, prints represent ø¢â‚¬Ëœreal photos’ – and it doesn’t matter whether they are snapshot-sized or larger (although larger prints have more impact).
No matter how focused you might be on online image viewing and sharing, it’s difficult to downplay the attraction of prints. For most of us, prints represent ‘real photos’ – and it doesn’t matter whether they are snapshot-sized or larger (although larger prints have more impact). Today’s digital photographers have a huge advantage because making larger prints is so much easier and more affordable than it was for our parents and grandparents. Furthermore, the prints you make on modern inkjet printers can keep their colours and vibrancy for many years longer. But, choosing the right printer for your needs can be fraught with pitfalls. We’ll address the main issues you should consider in this chapter and look at the benefits and disadvantages of the different printer types.
Snapshot Printers A typical snapshot printer with a memory card slot, viewing screen, carrying handle and simple control buttons. Setting up these printers is straightforward. With most models you simply connect the printer to the mains power point, insert the ink cartridge, load the paper and you’re ready to print. Many models have slots for printing from memory cards and most models can be connected to a camera for direct printing. Snapshot printers are simple enough for children to operate.
A4 Printers The advantage of a single printer is that it has been purpose-designed to perform only one function: making prints. No compromises have been made that might down-grade output quality; essentially the price of the printer should reflect its performance. When you buy a multi-function printer (MFP), you are buying a device that combines three or more functions. Some compromises are always required to accommodate each capability offered. On the positive side, multi-function printers represent great value for money and take up much less desk space than a separate printer, scanner and copier/fax would occupy. Some are also capable of producing very good photo prints. Combining high-definition printing with copying and scanning, Epson’s Stylus Photo TX650 costs the same as a standard snapshot printer bit offers better picture quality and far greater versatility. People who run small businesses and those who work from home will require greater productivity and more versatility from their desktop printer, although the ability to produce high-quality photo prints remains a key consideration. For less than $400 you can buy a multi-function printer/ copier/scanner with integrated Ethernet support that enables it to be used in home or small office networks. It can also double as a fax and print labels on coated CDs and DVDs. The versatile Epson Stylus Photo TX810FW multifunction printer combines high-resolution printing and scanning with support for duplex (double-sided) printing, faxing and wireless Ethernet to provide an affordable all-in-one solution for small business and home office users.
A3+ Printers
Epson’s Epson Stylus Photo 1410 A3+ printer is suitable for a wide range of applications. Its Claria Ultra High Definition Photographic ink set produces vivid colour prints that are resistant to fading and reproduce smooth tonal gradation andvfine details. The top-of-the-range Epson Stylus Photo R2880 has been designed for professional photographers and serious enthusiasts. Using Epson’s eight-cartridge UltraChrome K3 Ink with Vivid Magenta ink set, it can deliver top quality colour and black-and-white prints on both regular and fine art media.
Direct Printing An alternative is to print directly from a memory card and many printers – particularly entry-level and general-purpose models – come with slots that accept popular memory cards. Printing from a memory card is very easy. You simply remove the memory card from the camera and plug it into the appropriate card slot on the printer. Most printers with card slots provide an LCD screen to help users select images for printing and control the printing process. Some printers include wireless compatibility that enabled them to print directly from Bluetooth or IrDA (infrared) equipped devices like cameraphones. As with other direct printing systems, printing is usually driven from the camera’s LCD.
Some cameras and printers provide little in the way of printing controls. However, others allow users to: The main problem with all direct printing systems is the lack of control they provide over critical image parameters like brightness, contrast, colour balance and dynamic range. However, all direct printing systems provide the advantage of convenience for point-and-shoot photographers who are not interested in editing their digital pictures.
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