EmailInkjet printers vs. inkjet photo printers
General-purpose inkjet printers print text, graphics and photos on a variety of paper sizes, including envelopes and 8.5-by-11-inch paper. The better ones quickly produce pages of sharp text, even at small point sizes. Additionally, many general-purpose printers can produce photographs that are as good as those made using entry-level photo printers.
Photo printers, on the other hand, are engineered for printing pictures rather than text. They can print text documents, but most do so at a slower pace and lesser quality than general-use printers. Most photo printers have small LCD screens that let you preview images and do some basic editing, cropping and color correction. Some have a dedicated paper tray for 4-by-6-inch photo paper.
The line between general-purpose and photo inkjet printers is becoming increasingly blurred. Consumer demand is forcing manufacturers to improve the photo output of general-purpose models as well as strengthen the text performance of photo printers.
To achieve a continuous tone, most full-size photo printers use six or more inks. In addition to the standard CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and key black) cartridges, many also use light cyan and light magenta cartridges. Some photo printers use an extra gray ink cartridge, or different grades of black ink. Manufacturers have developed longer-lasting inks, and many models can produce prints that rival the output from photo labs. Some prints are predicted to last more than 200 years, according to testing. Keep in mind, however, that getting the best quality prints requires buying expensive photo paper and using the manufacturers' inks.
Printers use either dye-based or pigment-based inks, or a combination of both. Generally, pigment-based inks last longer, while dye-based inks are typically brighter and have a larger color range (commonly called the gamut). Pigment-based inks are also more expensive and commonly blamed for a failure to render truly neutral (meaning, with no color tint) black and white prints.
Though dye-based inks, on the whole, fade more quickly than pigment-based inks, both types of ink are capable of good longevity when stored under the right conditions. Philip Ryan of CNET explains, "the C-prints that most people remember from the film days would fade well before either dye- or pigment-based inkjet prints."
Along with print quality, consider the following when shopping for an inkjet printer:
- General-purpose vs. photo printers: General-purpose printers have finer, faster text output, while dedicated photo printers have more accurate color output, especially for flesh tones. If possible, compare sample printouts on various types of paper before buying.
- Compatibility: Make sure the printer can connect to your computer. If your computer does not have USB ports, it is extremely unlikely to be compatible with any new printer. If your PC or Macintosh is older, check the manufacturer's system requirements. The same goes for wireless connectivity, which could be an issue with older computers.
- Footprint: The printer must fit the space you have allocated for it. You may need a particular size and shape to fit a specific desk space. Canons have the smallest footprint. They make the most sense for college dorms or occasional transportable use. Because Hewlett-Packards don't top-load, they are the easiest to fit into desk cubbyholes.
- Paper path: If you plan to print labels, card stock, envelopes or other challenging media, a printer's paper path should be a consideration. Look for a straight-through paper path.
- Speed: For typical home and family use, speed may not matter as much as it does for business use. If you print many photos, speed can be an important consideration. However, reviews reveal that manufacturers exaggerate speed in their specifications, typically by about 100 percent. You cannot compare printer speeds in a store; the output speed of demos is unrelated to what you will experience when the printer is connected to your computer.
- Budget for a printer cable: Manufacturers almost never include cables, so you'll need to buy a USB cable if you don't already have one. If your computer has a USB 2.0 port (most do), get a USB 2.0 cable, which will make a significant difference in speed. However, if you already have a regular USB cable, it will work. Note that many of the printers covered in this report are capable of wireless printing, and some are Bluetooth compatible, but your computer, router, network, camera or cell phone must have wireless capability to use the feature.
- Paper types and sizes: Be sure that the printer you are considering takes the types and sizes of paper that you use. Almost all photo printers can be adjusted to print 4-by-6-inch photos and some have dual trays, so you can keep one tray loaded with photo paper. Photo printers require glossy photo paper for photo quality.
- Archival inks: Epson's UltraChrome inks are well regarded for longevity, as well as water and smudge resistance. HP's Vivera inks are also rated to last decades, but are not smudge-proof. Canon's ChromaLife inks are rated to last 100 years without fading in a photo album. Pigment-based inks generally last longer than dye-based inks. If long-lasting prints matter to you, you should confirm that the model you are considering uses long-lasting inks and check the length of time they are rated to last.
- Computer-free printing: Printers that can print directly from digital cameras aren't universally compatible with all interfaces or all types of memory cards. Check the printer's media slots to make sure it's compatible with what you have.
- Printing to CDs and DVDs: Most Epson printers support printing on inkjet-printable CDs and DVDs. Printing directly onto the media is better than printing labels and sticking them onto discs, because in rare instances labels may eventually develop bubbles that can ruin the disc. However, you'll need special discs to use this feature.
Cost of ownership
Reviews praise printers that use separate cartridges for each color. Using separate cartridges means that you don't throw away any unused ink, as you do with a single multicolor cartridge. However, you do throw away more plastic. Manufacturers obviously want you to buy their proprietary ink cartridges, but if you don't need the best print quality, off-brand cartridges or cartridge refills cost less. See our companion report on
Cartridge costs can be deceptive. Some cartridges hold less ink than others, so they appear to be cheaper, but they may cost more per ounce than a more expensive cartridge. Cartridges from HP and Lexmark cost more because they contain print heads, but they do provide a fresh print head every time you change inks, which can keep your printer operating more smoothly.
Before throwing your old cartridge in the trash, see if it can be recycled. Some communities have recycling programs. Several companies will buy old cartridges, and sometimes charities and schools will collect used cartridges to raise money. Some companies, such as HP, provide postage-paid mailers bundled with new cartridges for people to send in old cartridges. Office supply stores have varying policies, but most accept used cartridges for recycling and will offer a token gift or credit in exchange.