12 Inkjet Printing Tips for 2012 from Red River Paper

Properly maintain your printer. If you use the printer often, use cotton art papers, and especially 2-sided inkjet papers, you should clean the feed mechanism often.

Learn how to keep your printer clean here

Tip #2 - Wait a while before judging your print's quality

Inkjet prints, although dry to the touch instantly, actually take a number of hours to fully cure. During that time the print will change in character. Canon prints tend to darken a bit while Epson prints may lighten before being fully dry.

The best method is to make your print, walk away, then come back with fresh eyes with which to make your judgement.

Tip #3 - How to install printer color profiles on your computer

An ICC printer profile is a small data file. It contains a description of all the colors a certain printer and paper and ink combination can reproduce. In order to use a profile, you need to first "install" it in the right place on your computer.

Click here to learn how to install printer color profiles.

Tip #4 -How to use printer color profiles for your inkjet printers

Learn how to use ICC printer color profiles with Photoshop and Photoshop Elements on your PC or Mac with Epson, Canon, and HP inkjet printers. We offer written quick guides as well as video tutorials on the process.

Click to learn how to use printer color profiles.

Tip #5 - How to print your photos without borders

Chances are your inkjet printer can print images with no border. Check out how to get your printer to print edge to edge for that photo lab look. Click here.

Tip #6 - Printer adjustments for thick papers

Most printers have a software based control to move the print head up or down to adjust for paper thickness.

The ability to raise the print head comes in handy if you've seen these problems:

Pronounced lines in an image
Scuff marks
Ink splotches - particularily on the edges of paper

Click to learn about printer adjustments for thick papers.

Tip #7 - Feed only a few sheets at a time

Most inkjet printers are not really designed to take large stacks of card stock and feed them consistently. Be gentle with your machine and only put 5-10 sheets in the paper tray at one time. With extra heavy papers, or fine art cotton media, you may have to feed them one at a time. Some trial and error may be necessary.

See a VIDEO on this process here.

Tip #8 - How to create and use custom paper / media size

The ability to define and use custom paper sizes allows you the freedom to be more creative. Although not a difficult subject, you need to understand a few rules and limitations of the process in order to be more efficent in project planning and execution.

Click to learn about defining and using custom paper sizes.

Tip #9 - How long should I let my inkjet prints dry before mounting, framing, or selling?

As a general rule, you can handle and work with photo inkjet prints as soon as the come out of your printer. They are "dry to the touch" but in reality it takes about 24 hours for an inkjet print to fully cure and dry. There are some points you should know about and consider when you are printing.

Click for more on inkjet print drying.

Tip #10 - How to uninstall profiles on your computer

Have profiles on your computer that you no longer need? Follow this brief tutorial on how to locate and uninstall ICC printer color profiles from your Windows or Mac computer.

Learn to uninstall printer profiles here.

Tip #11 - Convert paper weight from pounds to GSM and back

Paper is weighed in both pounds and GSM (grams per square meter). It's a good idea to know how the two scales compare when shopping for different inkjet papers.

Click for the GSM to pound converion chart.

Tip # 12 - Watch the paper guide gap

Do not push the paper tray guide up against the paper. Leave no more than 1/4" gap between the guide and the paper.