EmailExperts say you should consider the following when shopping for a photo printer:
- Check your camera's compatibility. Photos can be transferred from cameras in four different ways, but not every printer or camera has all four options. Printers can accept memory cards, hook up to a PictBridge-compatible camera, connect to camera phones wirelessly using Bluetooth technology and/or connect through your computer via USB. If you want computer-free printing, be sure to choose a photo printer that's compatible with your camera's memory cards. This is especially important if your camera is not PictBridge-capable. Few printers have built-in Bluetooth, but most manufacturers offer optional Bluetooth adaptors.
- Remember that ink and paper are part of the total cost. Manufacturers generally sell paper and ink as a kit that prints a specific number of photos, so you can easily figure out the cost per print. Buying ink and paper in larger packs will bring the per-photo cost down. Most of the reviews we found state cost per print for each printer. In too many cases, reviewers don't state whether the figure comes from testing or is the manufacturer's claim. At best, the cited figures are a snapshot of today's prices for ink and paper (and not necessarily the lowest prices).
- Most photo printers use either inkjet or thermal-dye technology. Both types can produce excellent photos. If you plan to go long periods without printing, then a thermal-dye (dye-sublimation) printer, which uses ink that doesn't dry up, is better. The paper must pass four times through a thermal-dye printer, however, so speeds are often a bit slower than with an inkjet photo printer. ZINK technology, which prints by heating crystals embedded in compatible papers, is used in Polaroid's PoGo and Dell's Wasabi printers and may be seen in other snapshot printers in the future.
- Think about what types of photos you print most often. Thermal-dye technology has been praised for its ability to produce pixel-free photos -- no pesky dot patterns -- and richer, more realistic coloration. Some experts, however, note that there is less depth of variation in the grey scale of thermal-dye-based printers, and so black-and-white photos are better left to inkjet printers. In essence, dye-sublimation printers produce greater saturation (some say oversaturation), but inkjets are generally capable of finer detail.
- Take into account print longevity. Manufacturers' claims vary regarding the longevity of their inks, so it pays to read the fine print. Epson claims that the inks for its PictureMate printers can last up to 200 years with the right paper and under perfect archival conditions -- around 100 years under normal, framed conditions. HP's Vivera inks, when used with HP's Premium Photo Paper, should last as long as Epson's prints, but Wilhelm Imaging Research actually says they will last only about half as long as the Epson PictureMate's ink/paper combo.
- Bear in mind the need for print durability. Most thermal-dye photo printers apply a clear overcoat, which protects photos from smudges and UV fading. Reviewer tests show that the best inkjet printer prints are water- and smudge-resistant as well.
- Many photo printers primarily print 4-by-6-inch snapshots. A few models print larger sizes and all print smaller wallet or passport-sized photos. If you want larger prints, a full-sized printer might be a better choice. See our separate report on
inkjet printers .
- Consider paper preferences. Photo printers often require special paper. If you prefer matte to glossy, be sure matte paper is available for your printer or vice versa. Also, check to see if the manufacturer offers an economy paper.
Keep in mind that using an online digital photo printing service is often less expensive than printing your own photos, provided you can wait a few days for the prints and don't require full creative control over them. See our report on