Beautiful, vibrant colors are one of the basic human rights – at least, it is to us. With the technical marvels that are home printers, you can create nearly anything you can imagine right in your own home. Whether you’re a Warhol fanatic, digital artist in training, or can’t stop framing inspirational quotes to hang around your home, home full color printing is a great way to bring art and color into your life. Full color printing can seem daunting, so we’ve got 5 full color printing solutions for you!
First and foremost, understanding full color printing is not hard. It might seem like a term thrown around by advertising experts on Wall Street, but in reality it’s simple: full color printing is the same as four color printing. If you’ve ever designed something in Photoshop, you’ll know that it asks you what format you’d like everything to be in: CMYK or RGB. CMYK is full color printing, and stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Most modern home printers run off of CMYK, and you’ll be able to quickly recognize this by the cartridges. If you’re buying four different ink cartridges, you’re ready to print in full color. If you’re not sure which printer will bring the solution to your printing conundrum, or you want to know how to get the best bang for your buck, check these tips out:
- Go For Quality
Not all printers are created equal, and some excel at certain things more than others. The Canon PIXMA PRO9000 Mark II inkjet printer is our pick for quality. While it may be slightly older and a bit on the pricier side when it comes to paper and ink, it will create gorgeous works of art quickly and smoothly.
- Opt For Good Paper
You may not think a lot about the paper that you use when doing full color printing, but it can make a world of difference. Popping open a ream of 100lb text won’t be the same as using a thick, glossy photo stock for your family portrait.
- Up Your Resolution
Color won’t really matter if your image isn’t clear. If you’re designing something and getting frustrated that the printed quality doesn’t seem to match what’s on screen, it could be that your printer isn’t set to the same resolution your program is.
- Go Darker
Darker colors work better when full color printing. Lighter shades may not translate too well in both photos and design works, but full color printers commonly offer settings that allow you to darken your work just enough to make everything vibrant.
- Pay Attention To Bleed
Nothing looks more DIY than a cut-off image. Bleed doesn’t mean you have to pour blood, sweat, and tears into your printing – it’s actually a professional term that means you’re putting a little extra space into the edge of your design to allow for some trim if needed.
Whatever you choose to print, making sure your hardware is up for the job is first and foremost. Having a regularly maintained printer is the best way to ensure your printed works come out as vivid and bright as you like.
