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We’re all walking around with high-quality cameras in our hands these days, capturing thousands of images while documenting our daily lives. They’re all stored either on our phones, laptops, or in the Cloud, but too often, this massive collection of images stays put. A photo printer can help you print out actual photos to display and enjoy for years to come.
A physical print feels different. You can hold it, frame it, hang it and see details in a new light.Printing out your photos with a printer is also an excellent way to present your photography portfolio, both for amateurs and professionals alike. Viewing your shots on-screen can show off your eye for composition, but being able to show detailed full-color prints leaves a lasting impression.
When it comes to looking for the best photo printer available, you can find a model that will fit your printing needs, whether your photography is a hobby or your main career. Here’s our guide on what to look for, along with our top choices for photo printers to consider.
Photo Printer Buying Guide
Size:How big are the photos you’ll be printing? Will you be sticking to 4×6 or go large with 16×24? While it’s often better to go with a large printer, this will also increase the cost. If you’ll only print a few panoramic shots per year, springing for a high-end printer may not be worth it in the long run. It’s also a good idea to consider the size of the printer itself. While it seems like each generation of printer gets sleeker and smaller, consider where your new gear will go, and how much desk space it’ll occupy.
Color: How many cartridges does your printer of choice have? The higher the number of ink cartridges a printer has, the greater difference and variation of colors it will offer. Professional printers should also be able to separate intricate and subtle contrasts between the shades and shadows. Figure out what you plan to shoot the most, and select a printer that can really enhance the frequent and common color scheme your photos use, like greens for nature or blues for the ocean and sky.
Paper: This can vary in terms of thickness, glossiness, size, and impact the overall quality of how your final print looks. Even the best photo can look dull on sub-par paper. Some printers don’t work well with paper manufactured by other brands, so if you’re going to be locked in to a company’s photo paper, make sure you’re satisfied with all the attributes of the brand’s sheets.
Connectivity:Though most modern printers feature wireless connectivity, such as WiFi, AirPlay or Bluetooth, even the best can be risky. A severed connection, even for a second, can result in a useless half-printed photo that just ate up a good chunk of ink. This won’t always happen, and there are plenty of convenient benefits to wireless printing, but it’s best to also have a wired connectivity option just in case.
