Digital Printing

Living in the digital age, film processing is quickly becoming a thing of the past. We are faced with how to output digital pictures into actual paper photographs. There are so many printers to choose from and so many places you can go to have your photos printed. Where do we begin?

For starters, high on my recommendation list for inkjet photo printers is the Epson R300. It’s what I use when I just need to print one or two 4-by-6 photos here and there. The really cool thing about this printer is that it can print directly onto CDs and DVDs. The color quality is good, and you can also insert your memory stick or
Compact Flash cards directly into the printer to edit/print. It uses six ink cartridges to ensure color quality and good skin tones, it’s compatible with both PC and Mac, and you can print wirelessly. This printer goes for $179 at the Apple Store in Ala Moana Center or at www.epson.com. A second choice, if you don’t need to print on CDs and DVDs, would be the HP Deskjet 6540. Its toaster oven shape and
mirrored sides makes it interesting to look at, and the front mounted controls makes it easy to use. As with the Epson, the Deskjet 6540 uses six ink cartridges, is compatible with PC and Mac, and allows for wireless printing. If you need to print large pictures that won’t fit inside your printer or have a lot to print from a vacation or special occasion, log onto www.walmart.com. You can conveniently upload all your pictures, place an order, then pickup your 4-by-6 photos in an hour from your nearest Wal-Mart for 19 cents print. In addition, you can share those same photos with your family and friends and they can order and pickup photos the same way. Walmart.com also has a wide variety of other photo services such as cards, mugs,calendars, magnets, posters, photo books, T-shirts and more.

Also, Shutterfly (www.shutterfly.com) offers the same photo products as Wal-Mart. Shutterfly’s 4-by-6 prints are also 19 cents each. The difference between the two that is you can’t pickup your items anywhere locally in Hawaii with Shutterfly, and you have to pay for shipping. If you don’t mind springing the extra money for shipping, Shutterfly’s quality is pretty good.