More inks, finer detail

Photo printers

Inkjets tuned for pictures: extra ink colors, fine droplets and paper made for prints.

Upfront cost: Medium
Running cost: High
Speed: Low
Color: Yes

Independent guide — not affiliated with any manufacturer. For warranty or official support, contact the maker of your printer.

Overview

A photo printer is an inkjet designed to reproduce photographs. Many add extra inks, such as light cyan, light magenta or grey, so skin tones and skies look smooth instead of dotty. Some compact models print only small postcard-size prints, while larger ones handle big enlargements.

A separate family of compact photo printers uses dye-sublimation: heat transfers dye from a ribbon onto special paper, producing continuous-tone prints with a protective coat.

How it works

Diagram is illustrative, not to scale.

Extra inks are loaded

Beyond the usual four, photo models often carry lighter shades and extra blacks for smoother gradients.
Droplets get smaller

Very fine droplets are placed densely so individual dots disappear at normal viewing distance.
Coated paper holds the ink

Photo paper has a coating that keeps each drop sharp and dries fast, rather than letting it spread into the fibers.
Layers build the image

The head makes several careful passes to blend tones, which is why photo prints take longer than documents.

Pros and cons

Advantages and drawbacks of photo printers
Pros	Cons
Smooth gradients and natural skin tones	Highest cost per page of any type, especially on photo paper
Handles glossy, matte and fine-art papers	Slow for everyday documents
Borderless printing on most models	Extra ink colors mean more cartridges to replace
Compact models print straight from a camera card or phone	Prints can fade if displayed in direct sunlight with dye inks

Best for

Photographers and hobbyists

People who want control over their own prints.
Scrapbooking and crafts

Frequent small prints for albums and projects.
Gifts and keepsakes

Framed prints, cards and calendars made at home.

What it costs to run

Photo printing is the most expensive printing per page, because a full-color photo uses a lot of ink and good paper costs more than plain paper.

Pigment inks generally last longer on display; dye inks often give richer color on glossy paper. Choose based on how you will use the prints.

For a handful of prints a year, a print shop may cost less. For regular printing, a home photo printer gives you control and convenience.

Prices and page yields vary by model and change over time, so we do not quote figures here. Our guide to calculating cost per page shows how to compare any two printers yourself.