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An inkjet printer is more than just a way of making a
copy of a picture recorded by a digital camera; it allows us to
creatively share with others what excites us about the world.
Inkjet Technologies
Digital cameras have changed tremendously in the last decade, and
inkjet printers weren’t left behind in terms of innovation and
improvements in quality. Each new generation of printers has delivered
better color, faster print speeds and improved fade resistance. Inkjet
prints now are displayed on gallery and museum walls, not only because
of the beauty of the photographs, but because they offer what’s
essential to serious photographers: quality, control and longevity.
These improvements are available to all of us. Whether the print is
destined for the Getty Museum or our living room wall, inkjet printers
and papers deliver prints that once were only possible through a custom
photofinisher.
Each of the major printer manufacturers have improved on their designs.
Their printers are faster, deliver improved color accuracy and longer
fade-resistance, and make it easier to create prints without the need
of a computer. As well as creating printers that deliver beautiful
prints, each manufacturer is introducing new features to distinguish
themselves from their competitors.
Changing Inks
One of the ways that inkjet printers have changed is with their inks.
Inkjets have evolved from a single tank holding cyan, magenta, yellow
and black inks to six, seven or eight ink tanks that hold the
individual colors and promise a more cost-effective use of inks. Beyond
the basic four inks, most have also included light magenta, light cyan
and varying shades of gray. This increase results in better continuous
tones and colors, providing a smooth and natural progression from light
to dark, which eliminates abrupt shifts that produce distracting
elements in the final print.
Canon’s ChromaPLUS system adds red and green inks to its cyan, magenta,
yellow, light magenta and light cyan inks, increasing the color gamut,
or the range of color that can be accurately reproduced by the printer.
The additional two inks deliver colors with more saturation and
brilliance and offer more natural greens for subjects such as foliage.
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