What should you consider when buying a photo printer?

With so many types of photo printers flooding the market, you might easily get confused. A photo printer is not like any inkjet printer—it's dedicated to printing photos. The following are a few factors that you need to keep in mind before you make a purchase:

• Check the duty cycle: Go for a printer that comes with a recommended duty cycle. The maximum you can print in one month is known as the duty cycle. Take note of the fact that the said duty cycle is more than you intend to print.

• Check the output quality: Check the output quality of the product before purchasing. A professional photographer’s prints will be the ultimate level of quality—but they require a top-of-the-line printer.

• Ensure connectivity: Select a photo printer that is compatible with your digital storage devices. Check the specifications on this point, to enable data transfer and other functionality in future.

• Opt for high resolution: Choose a printer with a higher resolution. It will yield photographs of better quality. Professionals can opt for a resolution of 4800*1200 dpi.

• Choose an appropriate size: Look for a printer whose size is suitable for you. If you need a printer on-the-go, then small, ultra-portable machines are the best. If not, then look for a bulkier device with high-quality photo printing.

• Remember ink is expensive: Buying a photo printer is only an initial investment. Using the printer for printing your photos implies you will be continuously spending on it in the form of ink. Quality photo paper can also be expensive. You should keep all of this in your budget.

• Check the size: The photo printers come in all shapes and sizes. The best photo printer for you depends on how and where you want to use it. There can be a large one that can print huge poster-size images, to the smaller ones that can print the standard 4 x 6 inches pictures.

• Check the available colors: The photo printers use a variety of combinations of ink. There are the general purpose printers that use 3 to 4 colors for creating combinations. Such printers are less expensive--and the operating expense is also less since you only have to replace a single cartridge as it runs low. There are also specialized printers that give high-quality images, designed for high-end photo printing. These printers use up to six colors for color combinations. These are expensive, but ideal for expert photography.