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PRINTERS & PRINTING. The Basics. FIRST THOUGHTS. Because of the different makes & models available, we will need to talk in generalities to a large degree Our emphasis will be on Ink-jet printers although much of what we will discuss also applies to Laser printers. INK-JET PRINTERS.
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PRINTERS & PRINTING The Basics
FIRST THOUGHTS • Because of the different makes & models available, we will need to talk in generalities to a large degree • Our emphasis will be on Ink-jet printers although much of what we will discuss also applies to Laser printers
INK-JET PRINTERS Low purchase cost colour printing Can be used for different things – regular paper – photograph paper – CD’s & DVD’s – fabric transfer. Some models can print – copy – scan – fax. We are only looking at printing today
LASER PRINTERS • May be Black & White only or Colour • More expensive to buy but much less expensive to run – toner not ink cartridges • Faster • Not really suitable for anything but regular paper – lesser picture quality • Usually only for printing – not copy, scan or fax
WHAT DO I NEED? • Ink-jet printers are more versatile • Laser printers come into their own when high volumes are needed – speed & cost • Laser printers are not good for photography as they can not use photographic papers • Wireless printers have advantages – less cable, can locate as convenient etc.
WHAT DO I NEED? • Do I want to print on CD/DVD? Not all printers can do this • Do I need Copy/Scan/Fax? • Do I need multiple paper trays? • What Paper sizes do I use? There are some printers that will handle paper up to 13” x 19”
B&W or COLOUR • Inkjet printers will always have a black ink cartridge • Colour will be produced either from a single cartridge – blue [cyan], red & yellow or may have a cartridge for each colour [may be more than 3] • Multiple cartridges offer cost savings – only replace what is needed. In the integrated cartridge, have to replace when one colour is used up • Laser printers are basically the same but with toner cartridges
USAGE • Most ink-jet printers will show an indication of how much ink is left • It is important to understand that this is very much an approximation • Can usually print several pages more when “out of ink” message appears • When cartridges are refilled the “ink level” indicator becomes invalid UNLESS the cartridge has a re-set switch – not all do!
RE-FILLING CARTRIDGES • Re-filling cartridges [from a reliable supplier] gives good print quality & considerable cost savings • For most people, the quality in all types of printing will be adequate
PRINT QUALITY • If “best” quality photographs are to be printed, then there is some advantage to using both the printer manufacturer’s ink AND photographic paper – they are matched for optimum results. However, generic photo paper works for most people! • If using “plain” paper – quality may count. For B&W, this is rarely significant. In colour printing, “bright white” papers give a better colour • When buying paper, be aware that there are “ink-jet only”, “laser only” and “multi-use” papers
INSTALLING YOUR PRINTER • In most cases, it is critical to follow the instructions provided – there is often a separate sheet for this • In particular, take great care with any instructions about when to attach cables and when to power on. • MOST PRINTERS WILL NOT INSTALL PROPERLY IF THIS IS NOT DONE!
INSTALLING YOUR PRINTER • Usually at some point in the installation, you will be asked if this printer is to be the “default” printer – that is the printer to be used automatically for any printing UNLESS you say differently • If this is the only printer – then the answer is, of course, YES • If you have more than one printer, the you will have to decide which is to be “default” • Some printers will assume they are to be the default and will do this automatically
CHECK THE “ALL PROGRAMS” MENU AFTER INSTALLING • In many cases, when the printer is installed, a complete suite of utilities and services are installed • Note that in this example an un-install routine is included
I SCRAPPED THE OLD PRINTER. SHOULD I UN-INSTALL IT? • It is not necessary to un-install the old printer BUT should be sure the new one is set as default – for convenience • However, un-installing keeps things tidy • Be aware that “removing” a printer [Control Panel] does not always un-install 100% • May need to download an un-install routine from the manufacturer or the facility may be part of the new install
WHERE DO I PRINT FROM? • Typically there are two ways to print your work – from a print Icon or from a print Menu • Note: While many programs offer both choices – this is not always so
PRINTING FROM AN ICON • Printing from an Icon is convenient BUT it may be limiting in some programs • Uses the default printer [OK unless there is more than one] • Only one copy • Uses defaults for print quality, paper quality, paper handling & [in some cases] what is printed. For example, prints all pages [Word] or prints only one format of the work [PowerPoint] • In some programs, the Icon brings up a print set up window – usually similar to that in Word etc.
PRINTING FROM A MENU • Printing from a Menu gives you control
WHAT ARE ALL THESE? • Word [and other programs] create “virtual printers” – that is, not a physical unit • Using these “printers” is an advanced topic
VARIES BY PROGRAM • In PowerPoint
VARIES BY PROGRAM • From Internet Explorer
A REMINDER • The print menu we are looking at interacts with the printers own capabilities. • There may be some duplication of settings • The program [Word etc.] may offer settings that the printer does not or vice versa. • Will need to try out to see what happens • Look in all areas to see what is available
FROM WORD - “Options” • Most people will not need to use this area except in the top section
FROM WORD – “Properties”[May be “Preferences” in some cases] • This example is printer specific • Note the duplications from “Options”
MONEY SAVING OPPORTUNITIES • Double Sided Printing – Saves paper • Draft quality Printing – Saves ink and is acceptable quality in many cases
