Printing your perfectly captured digital image requires high quality photo printer in order not to jeopardize the quality of the image. High quality photo printer need not be expensive. With the popularity of digital cameras, widespread use of photo printer is also becoming popular. Latest digital designs of these printers are capable of producing images without the need of a computer.

Before, due to the high prices of these specialized printers only few establishments and households were able to take advantage of the benefit of the product. But today as more companies are competing in the market, buyers can expect affordable yet reliable photo printers. Let us try to examine the essential components composing a photo printer to make the most out of it.

There are three major types of photo printer and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is very important to know these types before buying a photo printer. Inkjet printers are known to be the most affordable of all types and consumables are easy to maintain, but quality is not as good as other printers. Dye-sublimation printers offer better quality prints, but the price and consumable cost are bit expensive than Inkjet. Fujifilm PG-series is the best among other types with its crisp and smooth. Paper and other consumables of this type are expensive.

When buying a printer, consider first the demand that you need. Choose from among the three types what will best suit your requirement of quality prints. For basic photo printing, one can get hold of the Inkjet printers and produce quality results while spending less on the item itself and the consumables. For higher demand in photo printing, it is recommended to use either the Dye-sublimation type or Fujufilm PG-series type. Paper required for both printers are not the same as with Inkjet printers. These printers use more expensive papers compared to what Inkjet can support.

Another thing to consider in buying a photo printer is the dot-per-inch (DPI) support. These are not the actual resolution of the image on the screen, but how printers label dots on a measure of inches or centimeters on the paper. Meaning a 250 dpi printer can print 250 dots within an inch providing better interpretation to the image through color combinations. Newer models of printers are often released with higher DPI support. The higher the DPI of a printer, the clearer the image is and the lesser tendency to determine the actual dots.

Lastly, in buying photo printers it is a must to consider the support and availability of consumables. Printers run out of consumables as you continue using them. To be prepared, it is best to inquire for the availability of these items and how you can get them the easiest way. Consumables for discontinued printers are less seen in the market. So to make the most of your photo printer, make sure to have a longer supply and support the consumables.



By: Roberta Groche

About the Author:

Chris Webber asked:


Should you buy an inkjet or a laser printer? Often people buying a new printer are confused about whether to buy a laser printer or inkjet printer. The short answer is it depends on what you’ll be using it for, and how much you’ll be using it.

Inkjet printers have a lower initial purchase cost but cost more to run because the ink is more expensive when measured on a per page basis. Laser printers cost more but their running costs are lower and they have a better print quality because in general they have a higher resolution (expressed in dots per inch – dpi).

If you want to print photos at home however, you are best to choose a photo quality inkjet printer.

Inkjets are great for home use and for photo printing. Lasers are good for high-volume applications, like offices, or for applications that need high print quality.

Inkjet printers transfer tiny droplets of ink directly to the page. A laser printer creates an electrostatic pattern on a drum that attracts ink powder that is subsequently fused onto the paper. This is more complex technology so means a higher price than for an inkjet printer.

If you examine the same page printed on both a laser printer and an inkjet, you will be able to see that the characters on the laser printer produced page are sharper. That said however, inkjet printers are getting better all the time in terms of the sharpness of printed characters.

Another aspect to consider is how heavily you will be using a printer. Printer manufacturers express the durability of a printer in terms of duty cycle in pages per month.

For example, a typical laser printer will be capable of a duty cycle up to 7,000 pages a month while a typical entry level inkjet printer is capable of up to 500 pages per month.

Some of the more recent inkjets provide excellent color clarity and brightness, and are very well suited for printing photographs.

While inkjet printers themselves are cheaper, their ink is more expensive per page printed. Ink cartridges need to be replaced fairly often if you print a lot, especially if you’re printing pictures or photos.

The manufacturer’s stated pages per cartridge measurements are very much dependent on what you printing. They are based on only a small percentage of the page actually being covered in ink.

Toner cartridges for laser printers have a higher unit price than inkjet cartridges, but have a higher capacity so that the cost per page is lower for lasers.