can you print pictures from a regular hp printer?

Question

i want to print pictures from my printer but i dont know if you HAVE to have a special printer for my digital camera. i know i would need photo paper and maybe a different kind of ink. Would the pictures come out ok though? i dont want tetris looking pictures.

Answer 1

The general answer is "Yes". Although newer "photo" printers do a little better job with detail and longevity, many other printers do a very adequate job. And some of the photo printers don't do well with text.

One difference is that regular printers often require margins and will not print to the edge. But you can work around that for now.

I have a 6 year old HP Deskjet 722C and am able to print very fine looking 8x10's (no tetris!!). The older inks fade more quickly (2 years out in a frame), so I just print a new one.

You should try your printer to see how well it does. If a test on regular paper looks promising, get some photo paper. It makes a big difference. 8 1/2 x 11 is the least expensive. You can cut it into 4x6's after printing 2 portrait and 1 landscape prints. I like Kodak Ultima paper for performance and cost.

Remember that the default size in most digicams is 4 1/2 x 6 in. So you have to decide whether to change your camera to 4x6, or trim the pic to 4x6, or print 4 1/2 x 6. (The photo shops just trim a 1/4 in. off the top and bottom, whether you like it or not.)

On the other hand, 4x6 in. prints are generally less expensive done at a photo processing center. In my area, costs are down to around 20 cents each (16 cents at Costco). Between photo paper and ink (bought on sale), I figure 30 cents each at home.

Larger prints are less expensive at home, though. I figure $1 for an 8x10 at home, several dollars at the photo center.

The photo center quality is generally very good. I have had only difficulty getting vibrant prints with their matte or satin finish paper. Glossy always looks great (but I like satin...).

Good Luck

Answer 2

Sure you can. You need to get a good quality photo paper. I have several HP printers and buy HP premium photo paper. Your regular color/black ink will be fine. Go into your printer settings and check the boxes for the finest print quality, photo paper - if that's a choice, and anything that you see that will enhance your quality. It doesn't cost that much to experiment, so give it a try. Remember, photo paper really makes a big difference. Cheap paper will make you think your printer isn't good when it really is the paper. I learned the hard way!

Answer 3

Depending on the capability of your HP printer, it may or may not be able to print photos with decent quality. Most 3-colour and 4-colour inkjets will print photos that are "dithered" (dotted). The best way to find out is to try on plain paper first. If it looks decent, buy a small pack of glossy photo paper and try again.

Answer 4

single guy is an idiot.

your best bet is to go to wal-mart/cvs and print a 4x6" photo for like 29 cents each. Your pixel size for digital image should be 1800x1200. That size will give a perfeect non-tetris look. I doubt the hp printer will create excellent looking photos, from my experience at least.

Answer 5

Yes you can but it won't be as clear as taking your card or camera to a store to get the pictures developed. And if you realy want to go shopping you can get a hp picture printer of somekind at most likely were you got your camera.

Answer 6

I tried that before but the quality of the photo is pretty bad. Unless your have laser printer otherwise I would suggest you to develope the photo from the photo printing shop.

Answer 7

no you cant that is why its called a computer