How to Print Photos at Home That Look Right

When this guide applies

• Your photo prints look dull, too dark or have a colour cast.
• Ink smudges or takes a long time to dry on the paper.
• Prints look blurry or blocky even though the photo looks sharp on screen.

Common reasons photo prints disappoint

01Paper type setting does not match the paper

The printer lays down ink differently for plain and photo paper. The wrong setting causes smudging, banding or washed-out colour.

02Printing on the wrong side

Photo paper has one printable coated side. Printing on the back gives smeared, poor results.

03Low-resolution image

A small image enlarged to a big print looks soft or blocky however good the printer is.

04Screen and print look different

Screens glow with light while prints reflect it, so a bright screen can make prints look darker than expected.

1. Choose and load the right paper

1. Use photo paper made for your printer type

   Inkjet photo paper is coated to hold liquid ink. Laser printers need paper rated for laser use, because ordinary inkjet photo paper is not designed for the heat of the fuser.

2. Pick a finish

   Glossy paper gives vivid colour and deep blacks, while matte or satin finishes reduce reflections and fingerprints.

3. Load it the right way up

   Check the paper packaging and your printer’s manual for which side faces up or down. The coated side usually looks brighter or shinier. Load only a few sheets at a time and use the tray or slot the manual recommends for photo paper.

2. Match the print settings to the paper

1. Set the paper type

   In the print dialog, open the printer properties or options and choose the paper type that matches what you loaded, such as a glossy or matte photo paper setting.

2. Choose a high quality setting

   Select the highest or “best” quality mode. It prints more slowly but places ink more precisely.

3. Choose the paper size and borderless option

   Set the paper size to match the sheet, for example 4 × 6 in (10 × 15 cm). If you want edge-to-edge prints, choose borderless printing if your printer supports it; some of the image is trimmed at the edges.

3. Prepare the image

1. Check the resolution

   As a rough guide, aim for around 300 pixels per inch of print. A 4 × 6 in print therefore wants about 1200 × 1800 pixels. Much less than that and the print may look soft.

2. Avoid extra compression

   Print from the original photo file rather than a copy that has been shrunk for messaging or social media.

3. Lower screen brightness when editing

   If prints consistently look darker than your screen, editing with the screen brightness turned down a little often gives a closer match.

4. Handle prints while they dry

1. Let them dry flat

   Lay inkjet photo prints face up and avoid stacking them or touching the surface until they are fully dry, which can take a little while on glossy paper.

2. Store prints away from sunlight

   Strong sunlight and heat fade prints over time. Albums, frames with UV-filtering glass and cool, dry storage help them last.

If it still isn’t working

Streaks or missing colours? Print a nozzle check and, if needed, clean the printhead.

Colours are consistently off? Check that genuine or compatible ink of the correct type is installed and that no colour is empty. Our ink vs toner guide explains supplies.

Frequently asked questions