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Choosing The Right Paper for Ink Jet Printing, Benjamin Frank, (continued) Match paper with settings MOST PRINTERS HAVE DIFFERENT SETTINGS for different types of paper. The printer may put out different amounts of ink and print at different speeds at each of these settings in order to generate the best image on the media it "thinks" it is printing on. That is why, for instance, the printer prints more slowly when set to a glossy or transparency setting: the software for this setting provides time for the ink to dry before the page falls into the print tray. It is generally not a good idea to try to "trick" the printer by setting it to print on one type of paper while using another. Too much ink may overload the paper and lead to a print without the fine details, while too little ink may leave a print looking washed out. Whatever paper you choose, it is important to make sure you use the right settings on your printer. The right paper for the right job Just like any other purchasing decision, what paper to choose depends on the output you desire. Multipurpose paper is the most cost effective choice for those documents where the appearance is not critical, such as faxes or drafts. The image will not look great, but it will be readable. For premium text documents it is best to chose a plain ink jet paper. This will provide crisp clean text without bleeding or wicking. If you are printing an image with lots of color, including graphics, web pages, or reports, it is better to go with a coated ink jet paper. Matte or glossy, coated ink jet paper will keep most of the ink where you can see it, allowing the colors to be as bold and vibrant as possible. After all, you pay for each and every drop of color in your print cartridge. Finally, if you are printing out photographs and want the look and feel of a photo as if it has come from a photo lab, print on photo paper. Matte or glossy, photo paper gives your output the weight and feel of a true photograph. Where To Go For More Information: Check out the following web sites on line to learn more about the different papers and media available for desk top printing: http://www.internationalpaper.com http://www.strathmore.com http://www.jetprintphoto.com http://www.hammermillpaper.com http://www.invent-it.com http://www.gwpaper.com/ Benjamin Frank, Senior Research Associate, International Paper [ PAGE 1: InkJet Papgers ] _ [ PAGE 2: InkJet Papgers ] _ [ Design Department Index ]

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