Other Printer Considerations
The type of printer, paper required, type of connecting cable, and duration of the cartridges should all be part of your decision about what kind of printer to buy.
If you need to print photos at the highest possible quality, consider an inkjet specifically designed for photos. These printers typically offer six ink colors rather than the usual four. The additional two colors improve photo quality in two ways: they increase the range of colors the printers can print, and they decrease the number of individual dots the printers need to create most colors.
Lowering the number of dots is important because it reduces the likelihood of showing noticeable “dithering” patterns. Because six-color printers can print any individual dot in more possible colors than four-color printers, they don't need as many dots to fake other colors. Fewer dots mean smaller, less visible patterns of dots.
The conventional choice for connecting to a standalone system is USB ports. Older printers use the parallel port.
Take a look at both the price of an ink or toner cartridge for any given printer and the number of pages it will print. An inexpensive cartridge that prints relatively few pages may actually be much more costly than a more expensive cartridge that prints more pages. Higher-capacity cartridges also mean that you won't have to change them as often, which can be particularly important for a network printer in an office that prints a large number of pages. Also, some color cartridges must be replaced all at one time, as they are bundled together. This means that if you use a lot of one color but not a lot of another, you will have to throw away cartridges full of ink. Look for cartridges in which each color can be replaced as needed. In addition, avoid low-cost inkjet cartridge refill kits. While they seem like a good deal, many people who have used them say that they are of low quality and a lot of trouble.
Photos fade primarily because they are exposed to UV or direct sunlight. Inkjet photos are especially vulnerable. This means that for maximum permanence, you should display photos away from sunlit windows. Some inkjet prints are also susceptible to smearing if they get wet, so handle with care.
When it comes to printing photographic quality prints, choosing the right paper is very important. The four basic types of paper are:
Copier paper: Plain paper or copier paper is the least desirable type of paper for printing photographic images. This paper is okay for printing text, but you'll get a smeary image if you use this paper for printing photos. Because it is less expensive than other papers, it is often a good choice for printing drafts.
Inkjet paper: Special inkjet paper is good for printing photographic images. Inkjet paper absorbs ink well and creates a crisp image.
Photographic paper: Special photographic paper comes in various sizes and stocks, and it is the best choice for printing photographs. It absorbs ink very well, but it is also quite expensive — about one dollar per sheet. To save money, print a few drafts on plain paper before you print a final copy on photographic paper.
Other papers: You can find all types of specialty papers to use for producing stickers, color transparencies, iron-on transfers, decals, bookmarks, and the like. These can be a lot of fun to work with and can be purchased almost anywhere.
It is actually light that kills the color in prints, and ultraviolet light is the worst. The magenta and purple color dyes in inkjet prints fade the quickest. Bright magenta often turns red or brown fairly quickly. One manufacturer claims that its prints can last for twenty-five years if they are not exposed to UV light. Another way to make your prints last longer is to protect them under UV absorbing glass, which you can find in frame shops. It is estimated that a print that is protected in a low ultraviolet environment could last thirty years or more. And although it's true that the images you print today aren't going to be as colorful ten years from now, the same can be said about traditional photographs.
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