How to Print Photos at Home

1What this lesson covers

This lesson shows you how to print photos at home that look like the picture on your screen. The key is telling the printer exactly what paper you’ve loaded and how big the print should be. You’ll load photo paper, choose size and borderless options, set paper type and quality, and learn how to fix the usual problems: dull colors, cropped heads and streaks.

2Before you start

Photo printing works best on inkjet, ink tank and dedicated photo printers. Most laser printers aren’t designed for glossy inkjet photo paper, and the heat inside can damage it; if you have a laser printer, check its manual’s paper list before trying.

Check your printer’s supported photo paper sizes and whether it can print borderless (right to the edge). Both are listed in the manual or on the manufacturer’s product page. Use photo paper made for inkjet printers in a supported size; common sizes in the US are 4 x 6 inches, 5 x 7 inches and full Letter.

Photo formats: JPEG works everywhere. Newer iPhones save photos as HEIC, which Macs and iPhones print directly; recent Windows versions can open them too, or the phone can share a JPEG copy.

3Load the photo paper

1. Find the right tray. Many printers have a dedicated photo tray or use the main tray with the guides slid inward. The manual shows where small photo paper goes.
2. Load print side correctly. The glossy or brighter side is the print side. Load it the way your tray markings show (some print on the side facing down, some facing up).
3. Load a few sheets, not a full pack. Slide the guides to touch the edges gently.
4. Confirm the paper on the printer. If the printer asks what you loaded, choose the photo paper size and type. You should see: the size and type shown on the panel.

4Print from a computer

1. Open the photo in your photo app and choose Print. On Windows, the Photos app has a print button; on a Mac, use Photos or Preview with File, Print.
2. Choose the printer and then the paper size that matches what you loaded, such as 4 x 6 in.
3. Set the paper type to the photo paper you loaded, such as glossy photo paper. This is the most important setting: it controls how much ink the printer lays down.
4. Set quality to Best or High.
5. Choose borderless if supported and wanted. It may appear as a borderless paper size or a separate checkbox. Borderless prints enlarge the image slightly, so a little of the edges is trimmed.
6. Check the fit. Choose Fill to cover the page (cropping edges) or Fit to show the whole photo with white bars. You should see: the preview show the crop you expect.
7. Print one copy first.

5Print from a phone or tablet

On an iPhone or iPad, open the photo, tap the Share button and choose Print; AirPrint printers on the same Wi-Fi appear automatically. On Android, open the photo, find Print in the menu, and choose your printer through the built-in print service. Some options, like paper type, may only appear in the manufacturer’s official app. Make sure the printer is on the same Wi-Fi network; see how to connect a printer to Wi-Fi if not.

6Check that it worked

Let the print dry for a few minutes, then look at it in daylight. You should see: smooth colors, sharp details, no stripes and no smudges. Compare it with the screen, remembering that screens glow and paper doesn’t, so prints usually look a little darker.

7Troubleshooting

• Colors look dull or washed out. The paper type is probably set to plain paper. Change it to the photo paper you loaded and set quality to Best.
• Heads or edges are cut off. Borderless or Fill mode crops. Switch to Fit, or turn off borderless.
• Streaks or a missing color. Run a nozzle check and, if needed, a printhead cleaning. See improve print quality.
• Ink smears. Make sure you printed on the correct side of the paper and let prints dry before stacking.
• The size option you need isn’t listed. Your printer may not support it. Check the manual’s list of supported sizes.

8When to get more help

If colors stay wrong after cleaning and alignment, a color never prints, or the printer repeatedly fails to pick up photo paper, contact the manufacturer’s support for your model. Don’t open the printer beyond the trays and doors the manual describes.

9FAQ

Can I print photos on regular paper?

Yes, for drafts and quick prints. Colors look duller and the paper may curl. For keepsake prints, use photo paper and the matching paper type setting.

What does borderless printing do?

It prints the image right to the edges of the paper with no white border. It’s only available on printers and paper sizes that support it.

Why do my prints look darker than the screen?

Screens give off light, while paper reflects it. Brightening the photo slightly before printing often helps.

How should I store photo paper?

Keep it flat in its original packet, in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Damp or curled paper can feed badly and print unevenly, so take out only the sheets you need.

How long should photo prints dry?

Give them a few minutes before handling and longer before stacking or framing. Your paper’s packaging may give specific advice.