If you are planning to purchase an inkjet print gun printer, you have to keep in mind these Inkjet photo printer buying tips. To ensure that your new inkjet printer produces high-quality prints of your favorite photos, make sure to bring a memory card or USB drive with one of your favorite photos loaded onto it with you when you shop for a printer. The following should be checked after you have the image printed on the printer you are considering.
1. The ‘Look’ of the prints
Find printers that capture every nuance in the midtones and the darkest blacks, and stay away from those that obstruct the extremes. Check the smoothness of the print’s surface for any signs of breaks or smudges. When examining the print from edge to edge, keep an eye out for changes in color.
2. Colour accuracy
Make sure the colors in the image are reproduced correctly by the printer. See if the colors hold up under different lighting conditions. Check black-and-white prints for subtle color casts. In the event that black-and-white printing is crucial for your work, look for a printer that has at least three different shades of black.
3. Ink types and print longevity
It is ideal to determine how long prints on various papers will last.
4. Robustness
In addition, you can see how well prints hold up under typical conditions of use. Prints made with dye inks tend to last longer than those with pigment inks because the former are absorbed into the paper’s top layer while the latter sit on top of it.
5. Paper handling
Verify the printer’s compatibility with the paper sizes and weights you intend to use, including so-called “fine art” papers for use in exhibitions and public displays. Keep an eye out for paper misfeeds, jams, and other issues that could lead to unnecessary paper waste. When loaded properly, paper should feed smoothly through a printer.
6. Paper range
It is also crucial to familiarize with the manufacturer’s recommended paper types for use with the printer. The more options there are, the more likely it is that the printer driver will support the ‘benchmark’ papers you use, as well as provide other ‘out of the box’ features like ICC profiles.
7. Running costs
Printing expenses should also be considered, including the cost of wasted paper and ink due to misfeeds, over-inking, and user errors like improper driver settings, poor color control, and unfavorable working conditions and environment. These conditions may include dust, power surges, and others.
8. Speed
A quick printer can produce the prints you need right when you need them. However, look for signs of color fringing and lumping in the ink’s application, as quality may have been compromised in the name of speed. Fast printers may not always print with accurate colors. Overall, you have a better chance of getting a high-quality print with a slower printer.
9. Workflow
Make sure the printer works well with your workflow. Check out this printer’s features and potential for helping you accomplish more.
