User Manual

67
Chapter 10: Saving and Printing Pictures
Microsoft Digital Image Standard User’s Manual
Selecting Print Quality
Most desktop printers are capable of printing in a range of qualities, from a
low-quality draft mode to a high-quality setting that requires more time and
uses more ink. Printer settings for quality and color vary, but you may be
able to specify your paper type, ink type, dots per inch required, and color
management preferences. Some printers have simplified printing options such
as "Good," "Better," and "Best." Make sure to read your printer’s manual to find
out how to take advantage of these different settings.
To select print quality for your printer:
1. On the File menu, click Print.
2. Click Change printer settings
.
Your printer’s dialog box opens.
3. Adjust your printer’s quality settings, and then click OK.
Selecting a Print Size
The quality of photo prints is directly related to the number of pixels in the
picture. A high-resolution picture contains a lot of detailed visual information,
and can be printed at larger sizes. For example, a picture whose dimensions
are 2048 x 1536 pixels (3.1-megapixels) would look good even when printed as
large as 8" x 10" on most printers.
A low-resolution picture has less detailed visual information, and therefore can
-
not be printed in larger sizes. A picture with pixel dimensions of 1280 x 960,
for example, lacks the detail needed to fill an 8" x 10" print. The result would be
a grainy, pixelated image. But printing this picture at a smaller size, such as 4"
x 6", would give you a sharp, detailed print.
As a general rule, try to print around 200 dots per inch (dpi). Take your
picture’s pixel dimensions and divide by 200 to see how large the print can be
in inches.
Turning on color
management
Check your printer’s
manual to see
if it offers color
management. Color
management can help
your printer to produce
colors that match the
ones on your monitor.
If your printer offers
color management,
click Change picture
settings while
performing the Print
task. Your printer’s
dialog box will open,
and you can adjust
the settings for color
management.