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Printing your Digital Photos

(From www.microsoft.com)

Every digital photo you take can be improved to a certain extent, but there are some pictures that just can't be fixed. The same goes for printing. A less-than-perfect photo means a less-than-perfect print. A properly exposed photo is your best bet for a quality print.

Consider Image Resolution

Image resolution plays a huge role when it comes to printing. A high-resolution photo translates into a larger print. A low-resolution picture means that only smaller print sizes are possible, if at all. Use this chart as a guide:

Suggested image resolution, in pixels, for printing photos:

Photo size in inches	Image resolution in pixels
4x6	800x600
5x7	1024x768
8x10	1600x1200

You can check the photo's resolution in the My Pictures folder in Windows XP, or in most image editing software programs.

To find resolution information in the My Pictures folder in Windows XP

Click Start, and then click My Pictures.
Select a photo.
Click Details, located at the bottom left of the screen.

Use the Photo Printing Wizard

Windows XP makes fast, hassle-free printing a reality with the help of the Photo Printing Wizard. It's as straightforward as clicking Print this picture under the Picture Tasks on the left side of the My Pictures window. The wizard takes you through the printing set-up. It is also where you find the wide variety of layout options, ranging from a contact sheet to one 8x10 inch photo and a sheet full of 9 wallet size photos). With just a few clicks of the mouse, the printer presents you with a photograph ready to be framed.

Dig Deeper for More Control

Printing at 300 dpi produces fine quality. The same photo printed at 72 dpi is jagged.
Suppose you want to dig deeper and learn more about your options when printing photos. The software for most printers, called a printer driver, provides a number of controls that impact how your photo comes out when printed. In Windows XP, the printer's software controls may be accessed in a couple of ways.

To access printer information via the Photo Printing wizard

When you reach the Printing Options screen of the wizard, select your printer, then click Printing Preferences.

To access printer information via photo editing software

If you're not using the wizard, look for a Preferences or Properties button within the printing window of the application you're working in.

What you can control depends on the printer. In general, you should be able to change the paper size and type, adjust the color so it better matches what's on the computer's monitor, apply special effects, and so on. The key to trouble-free printing is knowing what the printer needs to be told to produce the quality photograph you want. A little practice and a few test prints help you discover what works best.
Here are some things to consider:

Choose photo quality. If you use one printer for all your printing, the printer driver may need to be switched to a "photo quality" setting. This lets the printer know that you are printing photos and not just text documents.
Adjust color and sharpness. Experiment with settings that affect how the printer adjusts color and sharpness during the printing process. With printers designed to deliver photographic quality, these settings are often carefully tuned and can really improve your results. Find the right combination of settings and your photos jump right off the page.
Adjust paper type. While changing settings in the driver, check if there are options for telling the printer what type of paper you are using. Letting the printer know if you are using glossy, matte or luster surface paper helps it apply the right amount of ink for the paper's surface.
Use high quality paper. Remember that better paper makes better prints. Always use a coated, photo-quality paper; not regular copy paper. Many printer manufacturers, as well as other companies, also sell high quality photo papers. Find a paper that fits your printing needs and stick with it. Then, have fun and experiment with the variety of results possible with different types of surfaces, like watercolor and other textural choices.
Verify layout options. While editing, you may have cropped your photo to something other than the standard 4x6-inch, 5x7-inch, and so on. Your printer may automatically crop or resize the photo to fit a standard size, which may or may not be what you want. Verify your layout options, or see how the printer prints the photo, through the "Print Preview" option, if your program or printer software offers that.

You can create pictures as large as posters with digital photos.
Keep the printer's instruction manual nearby, as most manufacturers make simple suggestions designed to optimize your results with their printers. Have fun experimenting and take notes when you change settings so you can keep track of what works and what doesn't.