What to look for in an Inkjet Printer

Regardless of what type of printer you want, when choosing an inkjet printer, consider the following additional factors:

1. The ø¢â‚¬ËœLook’ of the Prints.
How do prints look in colour or black-and-white on glossy, semigloss or matte papers? Check for highlight and shadow detail and avoid printers that block up tones at either end of the range. Examine the surface of the print for discontinuities in smoothness. These are created when different densities of ink are applied and give the print an obvious ø¢â‚¬Ëœinkjet’ look. Watch colour changes when you look across the surface of the print.

2. Colour Accuracy.
Does the printer reproduce the hues in the image accurately? Do those hues look ø¢â‚¬Ëœright’ in all types of lighting? Take particular care with black-and-white prints as some printers impart subtle colour casts, due to incorrect ink distribution. If black-and-white printing is important, a printer with at least three black inks and sophisticated tonal range control is required.

3. Running Costs.
When calculating the cost of making prints, take account of potential for wasting inks and paper through misfeeds, over-inking and user errors such as incorrect driver settings, poor colour control and unsatisfactory working conditions (dust, power surges, etc).

4. Speed.
Some printers are fast; some are slow. If you need prints in a hurry, a fast printer can deliver the goods. But check the way the ink is laid down, looking for signs of banding and blotchiness as these may be sacrificed at the expense of speed. Fast printers may also produce less colour-stable prints. Overall, the odds of obtaining a high-quality print are higher with a relatively slow printer.

5. Workflow.
How well does the printer fit into the way you work? Are its physical dimensions appropriate for your working area? Is it easy to connect to other devices (camera, computer or scanner) Can you extend your capabilities and learn more by using this printer?
This is an exert from Mastering Digital Photography Pocket Guide 2nd Edition.
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