Blogs

Guide to Printing Your Photos

13 Jan

Do you have a bunch of photos lying around on your computer that you’ve never printed? Maybe you’ve had them printed before, but the quality wasn’t what you were hoping for. In this guide, we will teach you everything you need to know about printing your own photos. We’ll highlight the different printing options available to you, and show you how to get the most out of your images by printing them on the right material. Let’s get started!

There are a variety of different ways that you can print your photos. The most popular option is to print them on a high quality photo paper, but you can also print them on canvas, metal, glass, or fabric. Each option has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs.

 

Paper prints

Paper prints are the most common type of photo prints. They’re inexpensive and easy to find, but they don’t always look as good as other types of prints. They also can get damaged easier and you definitely need a frame.

Canvas prints

Canvas prints are more expensive than paper prints, but they’re much more durable and tend to look better. They don’t need a frame because the prints are wrapped over a wooden stretcher bar. Canvas is a traditional option so it doesn’t quite stand out as much as other alternatives. There are tons of sites selling custom canvas prints so there is no shortage there but you have to be particular about the kind of printing done on canvas. The optimal result will come from pigment archival inks printed by a high-resolution inkjet printer.

Metal prints

Metal prints are very durable and look great, but they’re also the most expensive option because they offer the best color reproduction and detail. Metal prints use a dye sublimated ink process which gives the image a glossy finish and protects it from scratches. Most high end photographers chose to print their photos on metal because it’s the most attractive to viewers and has the “aww factor”.

Glass prints

Glass prints are a beautiful option, but they’re also the most fragile. Glass prints need to be mounted and then framed, which can be expensive. The question that has to be asked when printing your photos on glass has to do with the image being printed directly on glass or is it printed on paper and mounted to glass. The detail will be better on the latter but will also have an extra cost.

Fabric prints are becoming more popular for large sizes because they offer a unique look and they handle well. Fabric prints can be hung without a frame for a tapestry look, but they can also be finished with a silicone edge to fit in an infinity framing system called SEG, short for silicone edge graphics. They do require special mounting hardware to hang but that usually ships with the order.

No matter what type of print you choose, make sure you take the time to find a high-quality printer. The better the quality of the printer, the better your prints will look. Lastly, you must ensure that the digital file size that you are printing matches the specs required for high resolution print at the size you are going for.

It is recommended to have minimum pixel dimensions at or above 1280x960px. Optimal formats include .JPG, .PNG, .TIFF, and .PSD, however each printing company has their own requirements.

For best quality prints, it’s best to ensure you’re using the highest resolution (ppi) file available. 300ppi is considered high resolution and makes for the best print results, however lower resolution (as low as 72ppi) can often still print well at smaller sizes. Many phones shoot in in low resolution, but as phone cameras have advanced in technology, so have their cameras.

Now that you know the different types of print materials available to you, it’s time to choose the right one for your needs. If you’re looking for a traditional option, canvas is a great choice. If you want something that’s more durable and looks great, metal is the way to go. And if you’re looking for something unique, fabric is a great option. No matter what you choose, we hope you enjoy printing your own photos!

Newer WHY PRINTING WITH US
Back to list

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *