The Digital Camera Print:
What to Know
If You're Printing at Home

With so many options available for viewing digital images, the first question you may want to ask yourself is: "If I can make a digital camera print at home, does it make sense to do so?"

Logical considerations include: cost, convenience, speed from digital file to photo print in your hands, and printed photos verses digital viewing only.

Emotional considerations include: But, it's fun!

We know what usually wins out between logical and emotional decision-making processes, so let's just assume that for whatever reason, you want to produce your own digital camera prints. Here are a few pointers to consider:

• The price range on quality photo printers is huge. Unless you're going to be printing photos larger than 8x10, you can often get away with significantly less expensive printers.

• You will NOT save money printing your own digital camera prints. The ink & paper costs alone will usually exceed the cost of outside processing a lab. However, convenience, turn-around time, and fun are legitimate reasons for owning a printer.

• Re realistic. Don't expect to feed in a low quality (resolution) image and have the printer magically produce a stunning top quality digital camera print. Aim for a resolution of 300 dpi (dots per inch) for all your to-be-printed images (for on-line viewing, 72 dpi is sufficient).

• When deciding on a printer, opt for the highest possible dpi resolution you can get within your price range/quality level. Look for at least a 4 color printer, preferably with individual ink tanks to keep the costs down when they require replacement.

• Generally speaking, the top 3 printer manufacturers are: Epson, Canon, and HP (in that order).

  Although they cost more, I recommend using top quality inks and paper. Epson, Canon, and HP each manufacture their own lines of ink and papers.

  I encourage you to experiment with different manufacturers and types of photo paper. Although printer manufacturers always recommend their own photo paper, I have occasionally had better results using the "wrong paper."

• Less obvious considerations involve your photo-editing expertise and the calibration of your equipment.

• To obtain optimal quality prints, knowledge of photo-editing software is a must. If you're looking for the industry's best, Photoshop can't be beat. However, it is one of the more complex photo-editing packages out there too.

  But, there are options. One is to get plug-ins that allow you to accomplish pro-photographer like effects, very easily.

  One of the best on the market is by onOne. If you do buy any of their fine products, GET A SPECIAL 10% DISCOUNT by using BFPT8 as your discount code.

  • The other option is is to use Photoshop, but pick up some quick training on it. If you want to go this route, I highly recommend taking a look at these Photoshop training products.

  • Remember to also look into setting profiles and calibrating both your printer and monitor in order to get the most accurate color reproduction.

• Paper comes in different finishes, with glossy and matte being the most popular. Glossy will produce a more vibrant result, but requires careful handling (it is especially susceptible to fingerprints).

  Matte produces a softer look that can be handled easily without causing problems. Understand that the paper you use is subjective, but your decision will impact the quality of the final digital camera print.

• After producing your digital camera print, lay it on a flat surface (printed side up, duh) to allow it to dry. Do not place it in direct sunlight, and if you make several digital camera prints at the same time, don't stack them on top of each other because they will tend to stick together.

• Learn how to perform printer maintenance, because you will need to at some point. It's only a matter of time before some type of maintenance is required. Follow your printer's owner's manual (that's that pristine book that's buried under 45 other things).

Step #1	Step #2	Step #3	Step #4	Step #5
Handling Overflow	Organizing Photos	Viewing Photos	Photo Prints	Online Printing
Step #6	Step #7	Step #8	Step #9	Step #10
Printing at Home	Preserving Your Prints	Storage	Sharing Photos	Additional Uses

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