Photos are the memory of the most wonderful moments in life. Previously, pictures were always developed and put into various albums, today almost everything is stored in electronic form. Therefore, the best frames are selected for printing photos and assembled into an original album or framed. Photo printing companies have set a fairly high price for services, and in order to save money, many lovers of paper photo cards purchase specialized printers. This article tells about the types of photo printers, their characteristics, the rules for choosing equipment and also touches on the issue of consumables for equipment. In order for you to be able to purchase the best model, the editors of the site "bestx.htgetrid.com/en/" have prepared for you a rating of the best printers for printing photos for 2020.
Content
- 1 Why is it better to buy a photo printer
- 2 Technique selection criteria
- 3 Additional options for photo printers
- 4 Important technical characteristics of technology
- 5 Types and characteristics of printers for printing photos
- 6 Top manufacturers
- 7 Ranking of the best photo printers for 2020
- 8 Consumables for a photo printer and their cost
Why is it better to buy a photo printer
A regular office printer, unfortunately, does not match the high-quality resolution of a photo printer. To create pictures using this technique, the developers have implemented many important components, which ultimately give a real photograph. The second important aspect is that the consumer significantly saves money and time. Thanks to a set of various functions, the photo can be obtained immediately after the shot from the camera. Also in many new models there is a wireless connection system, which allows you to use equipment at any time and different devices. A photo printer is one of the best inventions of the last century, and that is why the choice must be taken with full responsibility, which will allow you to receive only high-quality photographs.
Technique selection criteria
To buy the best model of equipment and not wonder how to choose a good one for too long, you need to understand the basic characteristics of the printer. In order to avoid mistakes when choosing, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the important criteria:
- Photo printout format. It is desirable that the printer can print A4 size, or if necessary, a larger size. For example, A3 will be available on professional models of equipment that are used in photo salons or similar organizations.
- Number of colors. The minimum set of dyes in a cartridge is six colors, but the more there are, the better the picture will be.
- Continuous ink supply. If this function is installed in the equipment, it will significantly improve the quality and speed of image delivery.
- Work speed. The printout of the minimum size of photographs 10 * 15 should take no more than 20 seconds.
- Drop volume. The lower this indicator, the better the image will be. If the technical specifications indicate a value greater than 1.5, then it is unlikely that you will get a good picture.
- A big plus when choosing a printer will be the ability to work with other types of paper or materials. This increases the functionality of the technique.
- One cartridge should print 1000 pages.
- Direct printing from other gadgets.
- Connection to various interfaces.
- Customer reviews and professional recommendations are one of the main criteria for choosing any equipment for both home and office.
Additional options for photo printers
Options allow you to purchase multifunctional equipment that will also make it easier to print photos.
- LCD display. This feature will allow you to control the printing process, edit various parameters and determine the number and format of photos.
- Wireless connection. Eliminate unnecessary wires and connectors, and also allow you to print a picture from any device that supports this interface.
- Card reader or USB connector. Allows you to print from various file storages.
- Scanner. Allows you to scan frames to devices.
Important technical characteristics of technology
In this section, we will consider the main characteristics of the technique that affect the quality of the photo.
Palette
This indicator is responsible for the number of colors in the printer. Typically, standard models have 3 colors. For high quality photos, it is better to choose a technique with the ability to work with a cartridge for 6 colors or more. That being said, it's worth noting that the 5-color printer is partly professional.
Photo format and resolution
The most optimal and best format for photos is 4800 * 1200 dpi. Many amateurs pay attention only to this detail, which is incorrect. Only in the aggregate of the format, the number of colors, the quality of ink can give a beautiful bright picture.
Performance
Print speed does not affect the quality of the image, but for some it may be important. There are different models in the range of manufacturers, some have a higher speed, others - lower.
What else you need to pay attention to
The density of the paper is a measure that allows you to determine on what other materials and types of paper you can print an image. It usually ranges from 60-120 g / m2.
An additional criterion is the price of consumables. This is not a characteristic feature of the printer, but it strongly influences the decision to purchase technology.
Types and characteristics of printers for printing photos
Modern printers are divided by printing technology. The table lists three technologies and their description.
| Printer technology name | Characteristic |
|---|---|
| Laser | The quality of such a printer will not be the best, but the print speed is very high. The meaning of this technology is that an electric effect is produced on a special drum, which is responsible for a certain type of palette and selects the appropriate powder. The mixture is transferred to paper and sealed at a certain temperature. Cartridges of this type of equipment are the most expensive, which significantly increases the cost of consumables |
| Inkjet | Ideal for home use. Not very expensive models and at the same time high quality photos. The mechanism of work is to spray paint onto paper. There are three types of spray technique: piezoelectric (the main component of the print head), thermal jet (heating the ink), bubble (temperature changes in ink supply). A big disadvantage of such a device is head clogging and ink drying, which is treated by frequent use of technology |
| Thermosublimation | The main advantage of the view is its small size and the transfer of all shades of the picture. The technology implies ink cartridges, which, under a certain temperature and the effect of gassing, transfer the palette to paper. |
Top manufacturers
When asked which company is better to buy office equipment, almost everyone will say about several competing companies.Today, Epson is in the first place in the market of manufacturers of this kind of equipment, while Canon is not lagging behind its competitors. Canon is primarily about quality, and Epson is a low price. For office use, the HP brand is popular due to the low price of consumables. The main advantage of these manufacturers is the introduction of a continuous ink supply system - CISS, which increases the productivity of equipment and its service life.
Ranking of the best photo printers for 2020
Which is the best printer to buy? In the rating of quality products, the reader will be able to find the best option for equipment depending on the area of application, as well as find out how much a certain model costs.
Canon Selphy CP1000 Printer
The best pictures for all family members. Printing technology: sublimation. Maximum photo format: A6. Number of colors: 3. Ability to print in borderless format. The maximum resolution for black and white and color is 300 × 300 dpi. Speed - 47 seconds for one photo with the minimum size. Interfaces: USB 2.0. There is a slot for a memory card format MMC, SD. Functionality: direct printing, OS support. There is an LCD display with a diagonal of 2.7 inches. Can be powered by mains and battery. Dimensions: 178x60x135mm Features: Postcard size paper cassette [PCP-CP400], Credit card size paper cassette [PCC-CP400]. Average price: 6700 rubles.
Advantages:
- not very large;
- inexpensive;
- easy to use;
- high-quality photos;
- can be printed from a memory card;
- convenient display.
Disadvantages:
- you cannot change the parameters of the photo;
- no PostScript;
- expensive consumables.
HP Sprocket Photo Printer
An excellent model for photo printing. Technology: thermal printing. Mini printer for home and small office. Maximum aspect ratio: less than A6. Maximum print size: 50 × 76 mm. There is a borderless printing function. The maximum resolution for b / w and color printing: 313 × 400 dpi. Built-in memory: 512 MB. Interfaces: Bluetooth. Supports various smartphone operating systems, which allows you to work from your phone. Operates on battery and mains. Dimensions: 75x23x116 mm. Information from the manufacturer: thermal printing using Zink technology - zero ink; Android (version 4.4 and above) or iOS (version 8.0), Bluetooth 3.0. Average price: 9,000 rubles.
Advantages:
- compact;
- good image quality;
- OS support.
Disadvantages:
- few print formats;
- expensive in price;
- few functions;
- there is no possibility of manual adjustment.
Lifeprint Instant Photo Printer 3 × 4.5
One of the best types of office equipment, according to buyers. Desktop type. Technology: thermal printing. Mini printer for home use and suitable for small office. Maximum size: smaller than A6, maximum print size 76 × 114 mm. Printing is done only on photo paper. Interfaces: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth. Fonts and control languages. Support for iOS, Android. The equipment works from the battery and the network. Case dimensions: 114x25x160 mm. Average price: 16,000 rubles.
Advantages:
- the ability to connect to a wireless interface of two types;
- compact and lightweight;
- convenient to operate.
Disadvantages:
- overcharge;
- few functions;
- no customization.
Canon PIXMA MG2540S MFP
The popularity of the model is due to the extremely low price. Multifunctional device with thermal inkjet technology. Maximum A4 size, print width 216 x 297 mm. Kohler 4 pieces. The maximum resolution for b / w and color printing: 4800 × 600 dpi. Print speed: 5 photos per minute. Scans and copies an image in high quality format. Paper weight: 64-275 g / m2 Printing on: Photo paper, Glossy paper, Envelopes, Matte paper
Resource color cartridge: 180 pages. 2 cartridges included. USB 2.0 interfaces. Supports personal computer OS: Windows, Mac OS. Complete set: CD with software, set of cartridges, power cable. Dimensions: 426x145x306 mm. Average price: 2000 rubles.
Advantages:
- multifunctional;
- connection to the OS;
- high quality photo;
- full set;
- budget price.
Disadvantages:
- noisy;
- expensive consumables.
HUAWEI CV80 Printer
Thermal printer. Mini appliances for home and office services. Maximum format: smaller than A6. The maximum print size is 50 × 76 mm. Borderless printing is a handy feature. The maximum resolution for b / w and color printing: 313 × 490 dpi Printing only on photo paper. Bluetooth. Work from batteries and electricity. Dimensions: 80x22x120 mm. Manufacturer information: Bluetooth 4.1 interface, Micro-USB charging, USB Type C, Battery life: 23 photos (1 photo print speed is 55 seconds), Input voltage 5 V / 1 A, Charging time less than 2.5 hours, packing of photographic paper (10 pcs.) included. Allows placement anywhere. Average price: 6800 rubles.
Advantages:
- good photo quality;
- small-sized;
- easy to use.
Disadvantages:
- low print speed;
- low battery power;
- no Wi-Fi;
- high price.
Used for printing photographs for documents and small-sized photographs. Technology: thermal printing. Portable mini printer. Device for printing small photos. The maximum print size is 46 × 62 mm. 3 colors. Prints without borders. The maximum resolution for b / w and color printing: 320 × 320 dpi. Interfaces: Wi-Fi and supports AirPrint. Support for downloading from smartphones. Operates on battery and mains. Dimensions: 90x132x40 mm. Additional information: laser exposure technology, photo output approximately 10 seconds, charging time approximately 90 minutes, enough charge for printing 100 photos, supports Android 2.3.3 or iOS 7.1 and above. Average price: 8,000 rubles.
Advantages:
- the ability to connect via Wi-Fi;
- high printing speed;
- high-quality photos;
- supports various OS;
- supports AirPrint.
Disadvantages:
- expensive consumables;
- slightly overpriced.
Epson L805 printer
Technology: piezoelectric inkjet. Size - maximum A4. Maximum print size: 210 x 297 mm. Number of color cartridges: 6. The minimum drop volume is 1.5 pl. Borderless printing is possible. The maximum resolution for b / w and color printing: 5760 × 1440 dpi. Produces 38 pages of color images in one minute. One 10 * 15 photo will be ready within 12 seconds. The paper weight can be in the range of 64-300 g / m2. Printing is possible on the following types: cards, transparencies, labels, photo paper, CD / DVD, glossy paper, envelopes, matte paper. Resource of a color cartridge / toner 1800 pages. There is CISS - a continuous ink supply system. Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11n, USB 2.0. Supports Windows, Mac OS. The set includes: CD with software, documentation, 6 ink containers of 70 ml, tray for printing on CD / DVD disks, set of photo paper, power cable. Dimensions: 537 * 187 * 289 mm. Average price: 21,000 rubles.
Advantages:
- proven brand;
- the ability to print on different types of paper;
- wireless connection;
- a large number of colors;
- high speed of work;
- attractive design.
Disadvantages:
- high price;
- after the warranty period, repairs may be required.
Technology: thermal printing. Portable technology. The format is smaller than A6. Maximum print size: 62 × 62 mm. Number of colors: 3. Borderless printing function is installed. The maximum resolution for b / w and color printing: 318 × 318 dpi. Interfaces: Wi-Fi. Features: Supports AirPrint, OS (iOS, Android). Powered by battery and mains. Dimensions: 116 * 131 * 44 mm. Add. Information: laser exposure technology, photo output approximately 13 seconds, charging time approximately 180 minutes, enough charge for printing 160 photos, support for Android 4.0.3 or iOS 8.0 and higher. Suitable for an average office. Average price: 13,500 rubles.
Advantages:
- small-sized printer with high-quality photo printing;
- connection via Wi-Fi;
- supports iOS, Android;
- high printing speed.
Disadvantages:
- high price;
- sometimes the brightness of the photo is lost.
Epson L850 MFP
The equipment is designed for scanning, copying and printing. Technology: piezoelectric inkjet. Allowed paper size A4. 6 colors. Minimum drop volume: 1.5 pl. There is a borderless function.Maximum resolution for color printing: 5760 × 1440 dpi. Automatic two-sided printing. The photo prints 12 seconds. The paper weight can be in the range of 64-300 g / m2. It transfers information to cards, films, labels, photo paper, CD / DVD, glossy, matte paper, envelopes. A total of 1800 pages can be printed in color mode. The machine has a continuous ink supply system function. Interfaces: USB2.0, you can also print pictures from memory cards. Supports Windows, Mac OS. LCD screen included. Dimensions: 542 * 196 * 386. Ideal for a large office. Average price: 29,000 rubles.
Advantages:
- excellent print quality;
- multifunctional;
- supports various OS and has the ability to read memory cards;
- with CISS;
- convenient LCD screen.
Disadvantages:
- expensive for the price;
- no wireless connection;
- overall.
Polaroid Zip Printer
Technology: thermal printing. Mini printer. The format is smaller than A6. Maximum print size: 50 × 76 mm. Borderless printing is possible. Bluetooth. Supports iOS, Android, NFC. Powered by mains and battery. Dimensions: 74 * 23 * 120 mm. Information: for quick realization of photos from smartphones and tablets running iOS and Android; Zero Ink Printing, NFC or Bluetooth 4.0, 25 photos per battery, Micro-USB charging port. Average price: 9,000 rubles.
Advantages:
- lightweight and small-sized;
- connection to OS and NFC;
- prints quickly;
- easy to use.
Disadvantages:
- high price;
- expensive consumables.
Consumables for a photo printer and their cost
The main rule when choosing a photo printer is economy. Such equipment is purchased in order to avoid unnecessary spending on the services of companies that print images, as well as to save time. Therefore, one of the most important indicators when buying a printer is the ability of one cartridge to reproduce a certain number of photos. In order to determine the cost of one shot, you need to divide the cartridge life by its cost. This factor is only important for those who use the equipment constantly. For hobbyists who print 20 photos a month, the savings will be tangible anyway.
Another important point is how to set up the equipment. To do this, each product must have detailed instructions. If necessary, you can download an application or program via Ethernet. In addition, the user can contact the manufacturer or store manager directly for detailed operating instructions.
A photo printer is a great device for amateurs and professionals. Depending on the purpose for which the equipment is purchased, you can choose a model according to the price criterion and set of functions. Thanks to the presented review of high-quality models of equipment, the buyer will be able to find a suitable option for himself. You should not buy a photo printer at a too low price, as this will affect the image quality. If you purchased one of the products described in the rating, or use another printer, then share in the comments your opinion on the quality of the picture and print speed.
