Photo Printing Tips for the First Timer

If you've ever tried to print your own digital photos you know it's not as easy as it looks in the ads.  What can you do to achieve better results?  Here are a few tips. 

Use ink and paper supplied by the manufacturer of the printer

• I can't stress this more.  Even if you use the manufacturer's paper and ink, you'll probably need to make some adjustments to get the best results.  (No, I don't own stock in HP, Epson or Canon.) 
• This is not to say you can't get good results from 3rd party papers and ink, you can, but to do so will require patience, a good monitor, something called "ICC profiles" or lots of dumb luck!  If you are a perfectionist, it could also involve the purchase of calibration hardware and software for both your printer and your monitor.  I did just that and I've never regretted it.
• Use 4x6 sheets for "test prints" before attempting to print on larger sheets such as 5x7, 8x10 or 8.5x11 inch.  Of course the large sheet and small sheet should be exactly the same type of paper.
• The biggest cost in making your own prints is NOT the paper, it's the ink.  That's a good reason for not skimping on paper.
  
• Use a known source of "daylight" in the area where you do your printing work.  You'll need good lighting to evaluate your work.  Ordinary florescent lamps are out as are plain old tungsten light bulbs.  At least buy a couple of "daylight" bulbs.  The run-of-the-mill $4.00 florescent "daylight" bulbs aren't perfect but they are a giant step in the right direction.