The Magic of Digital Printing

Introduction
Chapter 1: Getting Started
Setting Up a Digital Printing System
Dedicated Space
Primary Equipment
Secondary Equipment
Software
Supplies, Finishing Materials, and Storage
Finishing Area
Reference Materials
A Pleasing Environment
Choosing a Printer
Types of Printer
Dye vs. Pigmented Inks
Piezo vs. Thermal Printers
General-Purpose Printers
Multi-Function or All-in-One Printers
Letter-Size Photo Printers
Tabloid-Size Photo Printers
Snapshot Printers
Wide-Format Printers
Printer Features
Cost of the Printer
Cost of Supplies
Print Quality
Pixels and Dots
The Resolution Solution?
Dots Per Inch
Drop Size and Ink Lay Down
Number of Ink Colors
Print Longevity
Print Speed
Print Size
Built-In Card Reader and LCD Display
Wireless Communication
Paper Handling
Non-Ink Jet Printing Options
Dye Sublimation Printers
In-Store Kiosks
In-Store Photo Labs
On-Line Photo Services
Professional Photo Labs
Chapter 2: Getting Digital Pictures
Scanners for Film and Prints
Choosing a Scanner
Five Tips for Better Scans
Choosing Your Digital Camera
Key Camera Features
Resolution
Types of Camera Lenses
File Format
Close-Up Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Ease of Use
Computer Compatibility
Other Features
Chapter 3: Taking Digital Pictures for Good Prints
Creating Good Exposures
Use the Best Quality Settings
Quality
Iso
Set the White Balance Control
Camera Handling
Full Frame Equals Full Resolution
Five Tips for Better Pictures
Be a Picture Rustler
Single Out Your Subject
Challenge Conventions
Try a New Perspective
To Thyself Be True
Top Five Tips for Better People Pictures
Soft Light for Soft Skin
Use Flash in Bright Sunlight
Move Closer
Shoot at Eye Level
Catch Expressions and Candid Actions
Shooting Pictures for Printing
Stock Images
Print Mosaics
Black and White
Scrapbooks and Albums
Sequences
Chapter 4: Organizing, Saving, and Backing Up Your Pictures
Software for Organizing Your Pictures
Level 1: Your Operating System Software
Level 2: Your Digital Camera's Software
Level 3: Album Making or Photo Management Software
Level 4: Digital Asset Management Programs
The Stages of the Organizational Workflow
Transferring Pictures from Camera to Computer
Organizing Pictures for Printing
Save Files in the Best Format
Hardware for Organizing Your Pictures
Field Storage
Built-in Hard Drive
CD/​DVD Writer
Backup Hard Drive
What You Shouldn't Use
Storing Important Pictures
Chapter 5: Adjusting Pictures for Printing
Choosing a Picture-Editing Program
Basic Picture-Editing Software
Intermediate Picture-Editing Software
Advanced Picture-Editing Software
Professional Picture-Editing Software
The Art and Science of Cropping
Setting the Aspect Ratio
How Much Can You Crop a Picture?
Decreasing File Size
Increasing File Size
Viewing Distance and Image Size
What Does a Good Print Look Like?
The Three Basic Adjustments: Brightness, Contrast, and Color
Color Adjustments
Initial Testing
White Whites
Great Blacks Make Colors Shine
Adjusting Color Balance
Determining Which Color to Adjust
Improving Color
Adjusting Saturation
Sharpening Your Pictures
Amount
Radius
Threshold
Sharpening Strategy
Emphasizing the Subject
Adjusting a Portrait
Adjusting Flowers
Adjusting a Landscape
Chapter 6: Printing Your Pictures
Preparation
Image Adjustment
Printing
Finishing
About Ink Jet Paper
Papers for Printing Photos
Paper Characteristics
Matching Subject to Paper
Choosing Your Everyday Papers
Everyday Papers
Gift and Gallery-Quality Papers
Experimental Papers
Specialty Papers
Matching Print to Monitor
Adjusting Your Monitor
Compare a Print to the Monitor Display
The Printer Driver
Driver Functions
Main (Printer Setup)
Page Setup
Maintenance
Color
What You Shouldn't Use Your Driver For
Adding Borders and Edges
The First Print
Prepping the Print
Print Preview
Evaluating the First Print
Printing Snapshots
Printing for Your Home Gallery
Making Black-and-White Prints
Converting Color Pictures to Black and White
Printing in Black and White
Printer Maintenance
Chapter 7: All About Color Management
Two Approaches to Color Management
Instrument-Based Color Management
Visual Color Management
Calibrating with Your Image-Adjustment Tools
Calibrating with the Monitor Tools
Do-It-Yourself Monitor Calibration
Hire a Professional
Chapter 8: Some Creative Print Projects
Collages
Calendars
Cards
Magnets
Additional Ideas
Mouse Pads
Ornaments
Placemats
Jewelry
Shrink Art Crafts
Self-Publishing
On-Location Printing
Digital Scrapbooking
Chapter 9: Print Longevity
Defining Longevity
Longevity Testing
General Rules for Lasting Prints
Longevity Strategies
Make Snapshots Last for Years
Make Family Photographs Last for Decades
Make Pictures Last as Long as Possible
Index.