How to Shop for a Photo Printer

We all know that a picture is worth a thousand words--but your digital photos don't say much when they're stuck in a virtual shoebox on your hard drive. Okay, maybe you print out your images from time to time on an ancient ink jet printer--the one that wakes the baby and turns Aunt Martha's face orange--but it's time to upgrade. Or perhaps you're ready to buy your first printer, but don't know where to start.

Whatever your scenario, you're in the right place. In this story, we'll explore the most important decisions you'll face when shopping for a photo printer. We'll look at the various printer types, what you'll get for your money, what the specs mean, which features are worth having, and finally, what you'll spend on ink and paper.