27.11.06
3 tips for printing digital photos at home
| Capturing and preserving memories as digital snapshots is easy with Windows XP. So is turning them into a stunning scrapbook or photo album. If you're out to create professional-looking photo prints using any home PC, here are a few hints and tips that will help you produce sharper, more eye-catching results. 1. Maximize image quality The best prints come from the finest images. Improve picture quality by following the suggestions below. Up photo resolution As a rule, the higher the resolution, the better the picture. Most digital cameras offer a choice of settings. Check your camera instructions to figure out how to change the resolutions you're using. For premium printing results, always select the maximum photo size and quality offered. Here are some good guidelines to consider: • 2 megapixels: Appropriate for an attractive wallet- (2 1/2 x 3 1/2-inch) or album-sized (4 x 6-inch or 5 x 7-inch) print. • 3 megapixels: Minimum resolution required for projects like creating calendars and greeting cards or printing an 8 x 10-inch photo suitable for framing. The more you increase photo resolution, the greater you'll improve image clarity and detail. Image of two sample photos, with higher resolution on the left Higher image resolutions (left) produce sharper snapshots. Choose the correct file format The JPEG file format, which compresses image data, is suitable for sending pictures in e-mail or posting them to the Web. For photo printing purposes, though, stick with larger TIFF files. Despite consuming more space on a memory card, TIFF images are smoother, crisper, and vastly superior to their JPEG counterparts. Edit and enhance images Use programs such as Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 to soften edges, toy with lighting and color, remove blemishes from pictures, and touch up your photos. It's a simple way to add special effects, get rid of red eye, and otherwise improve your snapshots. Read more articles about how to enhance and fix your photos. Top of pageTop of page 2. Prepare your printer Enhance print quality by configuring your printer for optimum results. Use current drivers Drivers are software interpreters that let your computer and printer communicate. But printer manufacturers are constantly revising these drivers. Always use the most current drivers to ensure peak performance and picture quality. Check your printer manufacturer's Web site regularly for downloadable updates. Don't skimp on dpi The higher your printer's dots per inch (dpi) specifications, the slicker the prints it will produce. Avoid images that suffer from frayed and jagged edges by using a printer with 600 x 600 dpi or better printing capabilities when producing hard copies of color digital photos. You can find photo printers on Windows Marketplace. Configure print quality settings Check your printer owner's manual for instructions on how to change print quality settings, or do the following: 1. In Windows XP, click the Start menu, and then click Control Panel. 2. In Control Panel, double-click Printers and Faxes to open the folder. 3. Right-click the icon for your printer, and then click Printing Preferences. 4. Set print quality to the highest possible color printing resolution. The greater the dpi setting, the better your prints will be. Each printer will have a different dialog box to change the print quality. Check your printer's user manual for instructions on your printer. Image of a sample Printing Preferences dialog box Configure your printer for optimum printing results. Note that some printers offer bonus features such as automatic contrast and smoothing adjustments that you can also use. Managing paper Different types of paper—such as high gloss or card stock—require varying amounts of ink and touch ups. When setting Printing Preferences, be sure to adjust the settings in your printer to accommodate the type of paper that you're using to guarantee first-rate results and avoid wasting expensive stock. Ongoing maintenance It's a good idea to run printer alignment, color calibration, and print cartridge cleaning functions every 90 days. These functions (accessible from the Printing Preferences menu) prevent blurring, streaking, and off-center photo prints. Top of pageTop of page 3. Pick the right paper and ink Improve photo prints by selecting the right choice of paper and ink to perfectly complement your images. Go with photo paper Standard printer paper isn't suitable for creating pleasing photo prints. Unless you're printing documents, choose a glossy or matte finish photo paper instead. Black-and-white prints generally look best on matte finish papers, color on glossy. Creativity counts Multiple varieties of paper stock are available, designed for a wide range of specialty uses. These special-purpose materials can enhance any photo printing project. Whether incorporating your photos into decals, business cards, or t-shirts, browse the selection at your local office supply or electronics retailer to see your options before starting a new project. Choose the right size Photos come in many shapes and forms, from wallet-sized (2 1/2 x 3 1/2-inch) to album/scrapbook-ready (4 x 6-inch or 5 x 7-inch) prints. Match the paper to fit. Alternately, choose a standard letter-sized (8 ½ x 11-inch) paper and use the Windows XP Photo Printing Wizard to squeeze several smaller images onto one sheet. Image of the Windows XP Photo Printing Wizard The Windows XP Photo Printing Wizard makes printing multiple photos a breeze. Get inked The safest way to pick an ink is to choose a brand from the same company that manufactured your printer. Various types of ink provide differing degrees of water-, smudge-, age-, and fade-resistance. Which ink you should pick depends entirely on how much you're willing to spend for various image-enhancing qualities. By Scott Steinberg |
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