The tremendous development of digital photography has made printed images decline in popularity. While there is a huge demand for digital photography for online channels, such as social media and websites, there is also a huge need for printed images for advertising and magazines.
Without a doubt, a printed image looks incredible, and once you have your nature photo prints, you will never overlook print again. With that said, let’s take a look at some of the things you need to remember before you print your favorite photograph.
- Prepare your photo for printing
First things first- you need to prepare your images for printing. This is basically done to optimize the print quality of the photo; not the aesthetics of the photo. You need to carefully edit the photo. Once you have done that and you are comfortable with the result, you need to start preparing the photo for printing.
Preparing an image for print generally involves assessing four major technical elements of the photo: color, contrast, sharpness, and size & resolution. Make sure that all these are well balanced to end up with a good print.
- Understand the digital printing options
Printing photos methods digitally are continuing to increase, thanks to the development of technology. Knowing all the available printing methods can help you choose the right method for you.
Some of the most common printing methods include inkjet printing and laser printing. Inkjet printing is a cost-efficient and high-quality printing method for photographers and artists who are looking to produce the highest quality art. This printing method produces world-class art that can be applied to various print media, such as canvas, paper, plastic, metal, and fabric.
On the other hand, you can also choose the laser printing method to produce photographic prints. Digital images are exposed onto photographic paper with lasers that are light-sensitive. They are then processed with photographic fixers and developers. Compared to inkjet prints, prints that are generated through laser are real photographs with a visible tone in the image’s detail.
- Choose the right paper
Nowadays, you can easily print onto any material, whether fabric, metal, canvas, etc. However, many photographers still opt to print onto paper, which is easy to get hold of. In addition to that, paper can be easily trimmed, mounted, and framed.
You should understand the different paper finishes that are available, which will help you select the right result print for your photos. Generally, there is no right or wrong paper to use for printing photos.
- Know where you want to print
Now that you have prepared your images for printing, have chosen your printing method, and the right paper, the next step is to find a printer to perfectly do the job for you. When it comes to where to print your photo, there are three options you can choose from. You can choose your local print shop, online print-on-demand services, or artist’s centers. It all depends on your needs and budget.
