10 printing truths

Essential things to remember if you’re printing at home

1 The only way to achieve a printer’s advertised archival life is to use the printer manufacturer’s inks and paper.

2 The most expensive liquid most photographers will ever buy is printer ink. Cheap ‘compatible’ inks are best avoided, however.

3 The only reliable way to get neutral black-andwhite prints, without colour casts, is to use a photo printer with grey inks.

4 A high-gloss print will always beat any other paper for impact and quality.

5 If you sell your prints, use pigment inks, not dye inks – they’re more fade-resistant.

6 The only way to get 100% accurate print colours is to install a profile for your printer, your paper, and your ink – all three together! (See following page for details.)

7 A good large print always beats a great small one.

8 Printer manufacturers expect printers to be used and kept in a humidity-and temperature-controlled environment. However, most of us live in the real world!

9 You can’t save either time or money by printing at home.

10 Once you’ve got quality prints from your printer, don’t leave it alone for months! At the very least, do a test print every week to stop it drying out.