The photo-only printers usually have a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen where you will be able to see the image to be printed. Alternatively, the screen may display the number of the picture on the card to be printed.
Many of these printers use PictBridge to make it easy to print the pictures directly from the digital camera. All you need is a cable that connects the camera to the printer to transfer the photos from the camera to the printer straight away. Some printer models have Wi-Fi connectivity to allow wireless connectivity for receiving images to be printed.
The ink that photo-only printers use lasts longer than the one used on conventional inkjet printers. Indeed, some manufacturers have inks that can last for more than a century! When you add this ability to the quality of photos printed, you will realize how important the photo-only printers are.
Another advantage of photo-only printers is the ability to maximize the use of paper by printing up to the edge. This removes any borders that will require you to cut away with a pair of scissors.
What to Consider Before Buying a Photo-only Printer
One thing that you can not take for granted when you are looking for a photo-only printer is the quality of your printouts. You should therefore make the best choice to ensure that you get a printer that will print high quality photos.
You should also bear in mind the largest size of pictures you would like to print, for the printers come in different sizes, where some will only print 4 x 6 images.
You should also ensure that you find a printer that is compatible with the memory card that your camera uses. Some printers have different slots to accommodate various sizes of memory cards.
Determine how the status panel functions. For example, does it display the number of the photo only or does it show the image itself?
Then you should also consider the speed of your printer. Depending on the load of work you have, time is critical. The following are some of the important things to consider.
Quality of Image
The quality of your printouts is very important; hence you should know how to find the type of printer that will give you images you are happy with. The ratings are usually in pixels or dots per inch (dpi).
If you want sharp images of professional quality, then you should look for an average of 4800 x 1200 dpi. There are also some printers that get rid of red eye automatically prior to printing.
Display
It is a good idea to see the image you would like to print, which means that it is better to go for a printer with an LCD screen to display the photos. Depending on your preferences, you may look for a printer with editing functions, such as rotating, cropping, brightening, and adding borders.
Print Sizes
Determine the size of photos you expect to print most of the time. A Printer that prints only 4 x 6 images will be enough if this is the size you largely work with. There are others that can print images as large as 8.5 x 11.
Memory Card Compatibility
If your printer is compatible with your camera’s memory card, you just need to insert the card directly onto the printer in order to make your printouts. Remember that there are different types of memory cards; hence you need to find a printer that is compatible with the one you use. Some printers will have several slots to accommodate different types and sizes of memory cards.
Portability
If your printer is portable, you will have more flexibility as you can carry it wherever you want to go. Do not just look at its size but also consider whether it uses rechargeable batteries.
These considerations will help you to buy the ideal photo-only printer for your circumstances.
