- \n
- The Basics<\/a><\/li>\n
- Choose the Right Paper<\/a><\/li>\n
- Choose the Right Printer Cartridges<\/a><\/li>\n
- Understanding Dots per Inch (DPI)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Use Original Files<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nThe Basics<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Every printer comes with a few print quality settings that can easily be adjusted in the “Printer Settings” or “Printer Properties” menu.\u00a0 \u00a0We show you where to find “Printer Properties” on\u00a0 a Word document below:<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/printer-properties.jpg\")
<\/p>\nInside the printer settings menu you will find a “Print Quality” drop down menu that lets you choose the quality setting of your document.\u00a0 The names of the settings vary depending on what printer you own but they are all categorized in the same way, with similar quality options:<\/p>\n
- \n
- “Draft”, or for some printers, “Eco-mode” prints fast and uses a minimal amount of ink.\u00a0 Choose this if you want to save ink or a printing something simple like an email.<\/li>\n
- “Normal” or “Standard” quality is the default print quality option.\u00a0 This is the best choice for most print jobs.<\/li>\n
- “Best” or “High” quality produces the highest quality print and uses the most ink.\u00a0 Choose this for photos or presentation-grade prints.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/hp-printer-settings-1.jpg\")
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<\/a><\/h4>\nChoose the Right Paper<\/h4>\n
A business proposal printed on presentation paper with crisp, black text will have a much bigger impact on a client than one printed on flimsy copy paper with ink that\u2019s running on fumes.\u00a0 If you want the best print quality, you need to choose the right type of paper<\/a> for the job. Inkjet printers and laser printers don\u2019t always need a specific type of paper, multi-purpose copy paper<\/a> is fine for basic print jobs, but if you want better print results, you can buy paper that\u2019s designed for your printer. Inkjet paper absorbs the liquid ink that\u2019s dispensed on a page and is slightly thicker than standard copy paper, so prints end up with an enhanced image quality that looks crisp. Laser printer paper is able to take on heat by fusing the toner powder onto a page, which provides denser blacks and sharper results. Inkjet paper and laser printer aren\u2019t the only kinds of paper available to you.\u00a0 You can also use specialty papers like photo paper, presentation paper, fine art paper, cardstock, and other paper types for specific projects. Check your printer\u2019s user manual to see which paper types are compatible with your printer and choose accordingly.<\/p>\n
\nChoose the Right Printer Cartridges<\/h4>\n
The right printer cartridges<\/a> are just as important as the right paper.\u00a0 Standard inkjet printers print with ink cartridges<\/a>, which are designed for everyday document printing, including text, photos, and basic color images.\u00a0 Laser printers use toner cartridges, which are better for printing text. These printers are faster than inkjets but due to the powdery nature of the toner cartridge, can\u2019t reproduce the same tonal distinctions, so some color prints may appear dull.\u00a0 Photo inkjet printers are best for printer owners that require higher quality color prints.\u00a0 These printers usually use a few extra cartridges to create a print compared to an inkjet or laser printer, which provide a wider-color gamut and improved color reproduction on projects where color accuracy is critical, like professional photography and art prints.<\/p>\n
\nUnderstanding Dots per Inch (DPI)<\/h4>\n
Dots per inch, or DPI, is the measure of printed dots placed within one square inch of a printed page. When you look at a printout, you are seeing a combination of all these little dots coming together to form an image. The higher the dpi, the better the print quality or resolution because more ink droplets are filling up that one-inch space. Inkjet printers typically have a range between 300-720 DPI, while laser printers range from 600-2,400 DPI.<\/p>\n
When you decide on the print quality in the printer settings menu, you are selecting a different DPI range for your printout:<\/p>\n
Draft mode:<\/em> This is the lowest dpi and is used when ink levels are low or when you don\u2019t need high quality prints
\nNormal:<\/em> Suitable for most print jobs
\nBest:<\/em> Better dpi than normal
\nMax DPI enabled:<\/em> Highest dpi setting available for print quality<\/p>\nIf you are printing text or business graphics, don\u2019t worry about DPI. Most printers are designed to handle this type of printing with ease, and you will get high quality prints no matter what printer you own. However, if print quality is essential to your work, like professional photo prints, DPI is worth keeping in mind. If you decide to set your printer to print at max DPI, it will use a lot of ink so don\u2019t be surprised if your cartridges deplete quickly.<\/p>\n
Windows 10 users can follow these steps to set your printer to the maximum DPI setting:<\/p>\n
1. Search for the printer settings menu in the Windows search bar and click \u201cManage\u201d to manage your printer.
\n2. Then click \u201cPrinting Preferences\u201d and open the \u201cAdvanced\u201d tab<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Screenshot-2022-04-14-161944.jpg\")
<\/p>\n3. Select \u201cPrint in Max DPI\u201d and click \u201cOK\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Screenshot-2022-04-14-161916.jpg\")
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\nUse Original Files<\/h4>\n
For best results, make sure you are printing the original file from whatever application that file was created in.\u00a0 It can be easy to use a smaller file size or a screenshot of the file if you trying to save time or making edits on the fly.\u00a0 However doing this means you aren’t printing the image at it’s highest quality, which will translate to an inferior print out.<\/p>\n
\nNow that you know how to get better quality prints, you can choose the best option for your next project with ease.\u00a0 Looking to lower your printing costs?\u00a0 Shop LDProducts.com<\/a> to pick up compatible ink for your printer today and get quality prints at a great price.\u00a0 Be sure to check out our other great blog content for even more helpful printing tips!<\/p>\n
Read Next:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Inkjet vs. Laser: What Printer Should You Get?<\/a><\/li>\n
- What’s the Difference Between Ink and Toner?<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to Choose the Right Printer Paper<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to Print Great Photos from Home<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/ld_banr_txt_customers_2020_728x90-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\n - What’s the Difference Between Ink and Toner?<\/a><\/li>\n
- Inkjet vs. Laser: What Printer Should You Get?<\/a><\/li>\n
- Choose the Right Paper<\/a><\/li>\n