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When buying an inkjet printer, it's good to think about what it will be used for-such as mostly photo printing or for productivity usage such as faxing or scanning. Also important to consider are things such as "fuel-efficient printing" features. These include things like cost per page over the lifetime of the printer and replacement ink prices relative to ink cartridge page yields.
The right paper also makes a difference. For optimal results, use the photo print paper type specified by the printer manufacturer. Also, make sure you specify the paper type in the printer's setup dialog box. Glossy papers can make colors look more vibrant and give black-and-white photos a broader apparent tonal range. Glossy papers are also good for photos that will be handled instead of displayed, because they're often more durable, though they show fingerprints.
Now that you have the right paper, make sure basic printer functions, such as cartridge alignment and ink flow, are operating properly; if they aren't, you may see ghost images or horizontal lines running through your images. Most printers check these functions automatically when you replace an ink cartridge.
Photo printing without a PC is also an option. Dell's Photo All-In-One 946 inkjet printer features technology such as PictBridge, which lets you send photos directly via USB from a camera to a compatible printer. Some printers, such as the Dell Photo All-In-One 966, also have memory card slots. Printing this way is quick and easy-especially if you don't need computer-based image editing and color management for your photos.
Ink is also an important consideration. It's risky to buy generic ink just because it's cheaper than the printer manufacturer's ink. Also, there's been little independent testing of the longevity of third-party inks, so it's hard to know how quickly colors will fade or shift.
Long-Lasting Photos
Photo prints can last for up to 100 years under normal household conditions, but only if you take care of them. Direct sunlight, UV radiation, pollutants and moisture are the enemies of all types of prints. Store your prints in an album or box made of contaminant- and acid-free materials. The pigment ink from the new Dell Photo All-In-One Printer 966 on Dell Premium Photo Paper offers the following benefits:
1. Excellent longevity on plain paper compared to dye on plain paper, equivalent or better longevity on photomedia compared to dye on swellable media;
2. Superb highlighter and water fastness for color for both plain paper and photo media;
3. Fast "dry to touch" on photo media, better stackability; and
4. Stable color, less observable from time of print to next day.
Photos On Display
Frame photos you want to display using an acid-free mat and UV-filtering glass and keep them away from direct sunlight. Don't want a frame with glass? Consider spraying your print with a protective sealer, such as those from Premier, Luminos, Lyson and Marshall.
Some printers are capable of producing borderless prints. If yours isn't, don't try to fool it by entering the wrong paper dimensions. If you're very lucky, you'll get the desired result. If you're not, you'll spray the inside of the printer with spilled ink. To get borderless prints from a printer that can't produce them, use a larger paper size and trim away the border when you're done.
For more information on inkjet printers, or for additional printing tips,
visit www.dell.com/printers. An all-in-one printer can make a great gift or
serve as a helpful tool around the holiday season.
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