Tips for Printing in the DCF

There are several settings in both Photoshop and the Printer software that will ensure quality prints that turn out the way they are supposed to.

·        Photoshop allows images to be resized with out limits.  Prints can be as large as the paper being used or as small as a postage stamp. 

·        When resizing an image, it’s recommended to keep it proportional or the contents could skew.

·        As a print is enlarged on a piece of paper, the quality will degrade with size.

·        The general rule for high quality output is to have a source that is between 300-400 DPI at the size it will be printed.

·        A 600 DPI scan can be enlarged up to twice the original size with very little quality loss. 

·        Smaller items like slides or 35mm negatives may need to be scanned at higher DPI originally in order to make larger prints. 1600 DPI should be adequate for a high quality 4” x 6” print or a medium quality 8” x 10”.

The ideal size of the output will depend on the purpose of the print.

·        For exhibits, signs, and small posters, 8x10 prints are often desirable.

·        For larger posters the DCF can print on media as large as 13” x 19”.

·        Smaller prints are adequate for digital photos or handouts.

Using the software get the right results

It’s usually a good idea to set the orientation of the print to match the image (Landscape – Portrait, etc.)

  1. Click File – Print Setup
  2. Click the Radio Button next to the desired orientation (this examples uses Landscape).
  3. Set the paper size to match the desired output
  4. Click Ok.

 

Next, to print in the full size of the page

Click File - Print Options; The Print Options screen will appear.

The Print Options screen shows what the output on the printer will look like.

The print can be resized in the Scaled Print Size section of the Print Options screen.

To maximize the image on the printed page, put a check in the “Scale to Fit Media”.

When the image on the preview looks like the desired final Result click Ok.

Finally, it is necessary to set the printer to use the desired quality for the print.

By default the printer is set for standard Ink Jet paper medium Print Quality.  This is good for drafts, sample prints, simple signs, and most administrative purposes.

For near photo quality output:

  1. Click File – Print - Setup.  The HP 1220 printer should be selected by default.
  2. Click – Properties next to the printer.  The Printer Properties box will appear.

  1. Select the type of photo paper that will be used for the print, if unsure use “Other Photo Paper”.
  2. Make sure there is a check mark in “PhotoREt”.  This allows the printer to choose the best quality settings for the image and paper to produce the best results.
  3. Make sure Best Quality is selected from the Print Quality section of the Properties box.
  4. Click Ok to return to the Setup screen.
  5. Click Ok to return to the Print screen.
  6. Be sure there is Photo Quality paper loaded in the printer.
  7. Click Ok. One copy of the image will be printed.

written by Carter Jones, 9/02
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