To get the best results when printing digital photos, you should know what the standard printing terms mean. In this Insider, we’ll examine some of them, with the aim of clarifying printing issues that create uncertainty.
Photo Review tips section
Inks, Papers and Other Media
The choice of ink is dictated by the printer you buy because each printer is designed for a specific ink set. Each printer manufacturer formulates inks to meet the needs of the print heads in printers in their range. In some cases there is a different set of inks for each individual printer; in others, one ink set can be used with several models in the range.
Inkjet Printer Maintenance
From Photo Review Issue 45
The Test of Time
Inkjet printing is one of the technological success stories of the last decade. Even over the last five years, inkjet printers have gone from producing barely adequate output the marketers would define somewhat optimistically as ‘near photo quality’, to prints which in many cases are better than what’s possible on conventional photographic paper.
Image Size and Resolution Requirements
This table shows the ideal image sizes and resolutions for different online and screen-based applications, and for printing photos.
Image and Canvas Sizes
If you would like to create a border around an image, the easiest way to do it is with the Canvas Size setting. Simpler image editors may not include this function but all of the more powerful editors provide it. Follow these steps to add a border to a digital image in The GIMP.
Image Sharing, Display and Preservation
What’s the best way to share your digital photographs with others? Actually, there’s no single way that will suit all photographers; instead, today’s technologies offer us a wide range of options.
Identifying the Printing Surface
Because a special coating is required to accept the ink, inkjet papers can normally be printed on only one side. Some manufacturers also make double-sided papers with coatings on both sides, but these are comparatively rare – and not available in many sizes or surface types. So, in most cases, it’s important to tell which side to print on so you can load paper correctly.
ICC Profiles
ICC profiles contain information that characterises a colour input or output device in accordance with standards set up by the International Colour Consortium (ICC).
How to Make Good Inkjet Prints from Your Digital Images
Here are some tips to help you get the best quality prints from digital images when you use a desktop inkjet printer: