Photo Printer Buying Guide

Photo printer buying tips

In choosing a photo printer, decide first how it will be used: Do you need a small printer for standard 4-inch x 6-inch or 5-inch x 7-inch scrapbook/album prints? Do you need a full-sheet printer for 8-inch x 10-inch desk or wall frames? Do you need a high-capacity printer to create large numbers of full-color, photo-rich copies?

Photo printers are easy to distinguish from regular computer printers: You can connect a photo printer straight to a camera via USB; connecting to a computer is optional. Many new-model printers have built-in memory card readers, allowing users to print without even connecting the camera. These generally have an LCD screen to preview photos.

The majority of dedicated photo printers are small, desktop models, often called "printer docks." These are very popular for their portability and ease-of-use. Some are even designed so the camera sits directly on the dock, connecting without cables. This type usually works only when camera and dock are from the same maker, so be sure to check the product descriptions.

For those who need enough large prints to justify a full-size, photo-quality printer, be prepared to spend a few dollars extra. The technology and features are basically the same as the smaller models, and most are actually full-function computer printers.

Photo printer categories

Inkjet photo printers
Inkjet photo printers shoot ink onto paper through almost microscopic nozzles (the "jet" in inkjet). The least expensive, CMY inkjet printers use three colors (C = cyan or light blue; M = magenta or light red and Y = yellow). These colors can be combined to create any other color, but the black is usually only a dark gray and really dark colors may not be all that dark. Better, CMYK printers use four colors (K = black). The best (and costliest) inkjet printers use seven or eight colors (adding light cyan, light magenta, red or green) to produce the most vivid images.

The great advantage is cost; even very good inkjet printers can be had cheap! Inkjet printers have a few disadvantages: They use liquid ink, which can run if the print gets wet. The ink is opaque, so colors can't mix; the printer uses tiny dots closely packed (called "dithering") to fake the eye into thinking it sees more than four colors. (At 1200 dots per inch, it's a darn good imitation.) Some manufacturers make very small, very expensive inkjet cartridges.

Dye-sublimation photo printers
Dye-sublimation or "dye-sub" photo printers use a four-part or CMYO ribbon; three colors plus a clear overcoat to protect the image. Sublimation means the ink heats directly from solid to gas. The printer heats the ribbon, transferring gaseous ink to glossy paper.

This has several advantages: Varying the temperature allows dye-sub printers to vary the amount of ink and, thus, the shade. Because sublimation inks are semi-transparent, they can be laid atop one another instead of side-by-side, creating more natural transitions from color to color. Because no liquid is involved, prints emerge dry from the printer and don't run when wet. The biggest disadvantage is waste -- most of the ink ribbon doesn't get used, increasing the cost per print. Dye-sub printers are more expensive than inkjets -- they range from slightly higher to approximately the same price as laser printers.

Laser printers
Laser printers use static electricity: A rotating drum is given an electrical charge. A laser hits the drum, discharging certain points. A fine powder, toner, is poured over the drum, sticking only to charged points. Paper is also charged, stronger than the drum, so when they touch, toner transfers to paper, held tight until melted onto the page by the fuser (hence the phrase, "hot off the presses"). A lamp then discharges the static on the paper. Color laser printers repeat this process for each CMYK color.

The apparent disadvantage of laser printers is cost. Purchase price and price of toner cartridges are much higher than dye-sub or inkjet printers and ink, but this isn't as bad as it seems. Like all consumer electronics, laser printer prices continue to drop and toner cartridges are bigger than ink cartridges; they print thousands of pages instead of hundreds. The true advantage is quality. Many laser printers create images that are indistinguishable from film photographs, and, for those who need large numbers of copies, laser printers can be much faster than other types.

Photo printer terminology

All-in-one
Some photo-quality printers are combined with a scanner, fax machine and copy machine. These are most often called "all-in-one printers," but "multi-function printer" or "multi-function fax machine" are also used. When cash and desk space are limited, these printers can be a hugely convenient investment.

Cartridge
The cartridge is the ink or toner carrier. Depending on the manufacturer, printers will use a single (CMYK) cartridge or two (a CMY and a K) or four (one of each). High-end inkjet printers can use up to eight colors and as many cartridges. More cartridges are generally considered an advantage; you replace empty cartridges with minimal waste. For more complete information, visit the Overstock.com inkjet cartridges buying guide.

Panoramic
The common photographic print has a width-to-height ratio of approximately 3:5. Panoramic shots are loosely defined as any picture wider than widescreen television or movies (16:9 or just over 2:1). They are generally around 3:1, meaning a photo 3 inches tall could be 8 to 10 inches wide, depending on the specific camera. Most photo printers are designed only for standard ratios, but printers capable of panoramic prints are available.

PictBridge
PictBridge is software that allows photo printers and cameras from different manufacturers to work together. Many digital cameras and photo printers come with PictBridge pre-installed.

Plotter
Printers designed for output over 11-inch x 17-inch (technical drawings, posters, etc.) are sometimes marketed as "plotters" though "large format printer" is becoming the preferred term. Sizes begin at 13 inches x 18 inches and commonly range up to 42 inches wide using paper rolls up to several hundred feet long. These can be used as photo printers, but the cost of the color photo printer, ink cartridges and >photo print paper sets machines over 24-inch capacity exclusively in the arena of professionals and the most serious amateurs.

Photo printer care

Like all printers and scanners, a photo printer has few moving parts to break, so when properly treated, it will last until it is a technological dinosaur. Dust, heat, humidity and impact damage are primary causes of failure. Dust is very hard on micro-electronics. Wipe down the printer's exterior with a clean cloth once a week or so. Clean the interior and openings (data card slot or battery compartment) with canned air -- never your humid breath.

At home or at the office, keep computer printers out of direct sunlight. Even on cool days, heat build-up and solar radiation are not good for the circuits (to home electronics, sunburn can be fatal!). Like most modern consumer electronics, the printer still uses a little bit of electricity when off, so unplug it when you can; this will also shave a few cents off the power bill!

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