Introduction
It has become easier than ever to produce high-quality prints from the comfort of one’s home mostly due to technological advancement. Nevertheless, producing quality prints from home is not just about clicking the ‘Print’ button on the computer. There is a printer type to select, print settings to understand, and printing materials to choose from. In this guide, we shall analyze factors to consider when printing clear images and documents at home and also highlight some of the best printers that can be found in Ghanaian online shops such as IPMC Kart.
Many people enjoy taking printouts of documents and pictures at home for personal use. Although technology has simplified this task to a click of a button, there are still several considerations to note.
Cool Printers on IPMC Kart & Other Ghanaian E-Commerce Sites
A number of printers suited for you are listed below:
- HP OfficeJet Pro 8023 E-All-In-One
- HP NeverStop 1000W
- HP Printer DeskJet 2320
- HP OfficeJet Pro X551DW Printer
- HP DeskJet 2710 All-in-One Printer
- Brother DCP-L2550DW
- Canon PIXMA G3411
Adjust Printer Settings for Quality Prints
Resolution Settings: This is quantified in DPI (dots per inch). With more DPI, the print becomes more and more intricate. For prints of professional quality, one should seek between 300 to 1200 DPI.
Color Management: It is imperative to get the colors right, especially when dealing with artistic prints, posters, or photographs. Embedded software in all nowadays printers have special color calibration programs that allow the user to set up the printer so that the screen and the color of the printed image are the same.
Paper Type: In order to achieve proper ink coverage, the appropriate paper type must be selected within the printer settings. In addition, use the right kinds of paper for an excellent-quality printout.
Print Speed: The pages per minute (PPM) is an important factor to consider in order to fulfill one’s needs, especially in cases of bulk printing.
Print Mode: When printing photographs or artwork, always select “Best” or “High Quality” print mode even though this may take longer.
Connectivity Options: A wireless printer enables a hassle-free connection with phones and tablets.
Examples of Common Print Jobs and Settings
- Photoprints: Alter the settings of your printing machine to the highest quality – Best Photo. Also, make use of high-quality gloss paper. Make it uncompromisingly clear that the DPI level will not be lower than 300.
- Stickers: High-quality inkjet printable sticker paper is used and the printer is set to be upgraded to the ‘High-Quality Print’ position.
- Posters: As for wide format print posters, employ either clear or low glossy paper and make sure the dimensions of image files are high scale before printing.
- Labels: Use label paper for printers and within the configurations, choose the label stock that corresponds to the thickness of the paper so there will be no ink smears.
Use the Right Paper
The quality of printing that one can achieve is considerably influenced by the nature of the paper used. With regard to printing photographs, stickers, posters, or any form of art, the paper used is expected to correspond to the printer and the type of print.
Types of Paper
- Photo Paper: Available in glossy or matte finishes, photo paper is an artificially coated paper designed for printing and reproducing images.
- Cardstock: Ideal for making business cards, labels, greeting cards, and the like.
- Matte Paper: Non- glossy finish is offered by this type of paper to a range of products which include posters and professional prints.
- Canvas Paper: Used for art reproduction mostly to give a textured or gallery-type feel to the designs.
Professional Tip: Incompatibility between the paper used and the printer may waste the paper or even damage the printer therefore always refer to the printer’s specifications before use.
Regular Maintenance of Your Printer
For your printer to continue giving quality prints, regular maintenance becomes necessary. This assistance helps to avoid cases of smudges, streaky prints, or any print defects.
How to maintain the printer
- Wipe the Printheads: Most printers nowadays have an in-built cleaning facility. Cleaning is done from time to time on a regular basis to ensure better delivery of inks.
- Timely Change of Cartridges: Most of the time the prints may get spoiled due to empty ink or toner cartridges. Ensure that you monitor the ink levels and replenish them in good time.
- Ensure You Always Calibrate After Some Sessions: Printer calibration is done so that the print heads are perfectly fitted and used without any hitches.
Use Quality Inks for Professional Results
Another very important aspect of ensuring good-quality prints is selecting the appropriate ink. Most people make mistakes by choosing inexpensive third-party ink, which often proves disastrous.
Categories of Ink
- Dye-based inks: Most appropriate for printing images, especially photos due to their quality.
- Pigment-based inks: These are more resilient and appropriate for printing text and official documents.
Professional Tip: Always use the inks attached and recommended by the manufacturer as doing otherwise may harm the device and lessen the quality of prints.
Optimize Your Image Files
Prior to commencing the printing process, ensure that the image files are print-ready. This involves having the right file format (Usually TIFF or PNG for images and pictures) and good-quality resolution.
- For images: A minimum of 300 DPI is preferred and the image must be of high quality.
- For text: opt for vector formats such as PDF to help maintain the crispness and quality of an image.
Conclusion
When it comes to sourcing high-quality printers and accessories to kick-start the printing business, there are a lot of Ghanaian companies such as IPMC Kart, Telefonika, Compu-Ghana, and Jumia Ghana that you can rely on. Creating beautiful prints at home doesn’t have to be a complex task. Selecting an appropriate printer, paper, and ink, and adhering to the correct practices for maintenance and settings will ensure that you get beautiful prints that can be compared to those of a printing company.