printers & printing the basics. first thoughts because of the different makes & models...

PRINTERS & PRINTINGPRINTERS & PRINTING

The BasicsThe 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!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

LET’S EXPLORE!

WHICH PRINTER?

WHAT ARE ALL THESE?

Word [and other programs] create “virtual printers” – that is, not a physical unit

Using these “printers” is an advanced topic

EXPLORE SOME MORE

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

EXPLORING FURTHER

EXPLORING FURTHER

EXPLORING FURTHER

EXPLORING FURTHER