Tim's Top Tips for Quality Prints
It doesn't matter what equipment you have, follow these tips to get quality prints everytime!
A Simple Method for Choosing Which Photos to Print
Feeling overwhelmed by hundreds (or thousands!) of digital photos? You’re not alone. The trick is deciding what matters most and focusing on images that bring you joy. Setting aside a little time regularly — say at the start of each month or season — prevents a huge backlog.
1. Define the project and quantity:
Are you creating a family album, a wall display, or gifts? Knowing the goal helps decide how many photos to print (e.g., 35–40 for an album, 1–5 for a wall frame).
2. Select favourites and cull rejects:
Quickly remove blurry or poorly lit photos, then trust your gut — if a photo makes you smile, it’s a keeper.
3. Prioritise meaningful moments:
Look for shots with loved ones, milestones, or candid interactions. Ask your kids/grandkids for their favourites — it’s fun and meaningful.
4. Refine and diversify:
Remove near-duplicates, keeping the best version. Mix portraits, detail shots, and wider scenes for a richer story.
Example: Sarah printed her family’s picnic photos and chose one detailed shot of her kids laughing, plus a wide group photo. Now her wall tells the whole story, not just isolated moments.
Quick Improvements to Upgrade Print Quality
Even simple tweaks can make your photos look amazing on paper. Focus on image integrity, smart editing, and correct printer settings.
1. Maximise resolution:
Aim for 300 PPI. If an image is too small, basic photo editing apps can “Enhance” your images.
2. Thoughtful editing:
Adjust brightness, contrast, and colour subtly. Apply sharpening lightly and preview at 100% zoom.
3. Use quality materials:
Avoid plain copy paper. Glossy, semi-gloss, or matte photo paper makes a big difference. High-quality ink ensures vibrant, long-lasting prints.
4. Check your workflow:
Match your printer settings to your paper type, prioritise quality over speed, and print a small test before final prints.
Example: Mark noticed his holiday photos were slightly dull. A quick tweak in brightness and a glossy paper choice made the final prints pop — just like the moment he captured!
Keep Your Printing Process Easy and Repeatable
A simple, repeatable workflow saves stress and keeps prints consistent.
1. Organise files consistently:
Use folders by year/month/event and rename files with a consistent structure (e.g., “2025-11-Birthday-01”).
2. Back up immediately:
Keep multiple copies — ideally two local and one cloud — to avoid losing your precious images.
3. Use automation and presets:
Save time with preset filters and bulk editing for enhancements and resizing.
4. Stick to a schedule: Dedicate a small, regular block of time for printing and backups — monthly works well for most families.
Avoid Mistakes & Get Consistent Results
Even small oversights can ruin a great photo. Following a few simple steps ensures consistency.
1. Use the right color mode:
For prints, work in CMYK to avoid unexpected colour shifts. Simply because this will match the ink colours in your printer.
2. Mind margins and bleed:
Extend backgrounds beyond the trim edge and keep key subjects inside the safe zone.
3. Check image and text quality:
Ensure images are at least 300 PPI and text is clear. Adding text and other enhancements to your photos can help your memories last longer.
4. Proof before printing:
Review your print preview and settings to catch errors in layout, colour, or cropping.
Example: Before printing her wedding album, Lucy proofed a single page and noticed the background colours were off. A quick tweak saved the entire album from dull prints.
What's next?
We launch the offer on Monday! Remember, it is only available online with special customer bonuses, so...
...keep an eye on your emails.
Till then, happy snapping!