Things You'll Need:
- Scanner
- Printer
- Photos
- Photo paper
- Photo editing software (optional)
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Step 1
Place your picture on the scanner bed if it is a flatbed scanner. Align the picture properly, following the guidelines specific to your model. If the scanner is a sheet-fed scanner, place the photos in the hopper, be it in the front or on top.
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Step 2
If you are using a "one touch" all-in-one (AIO), there is typically a button or feature to scan and print your pictures without any PC intervention required. Simply press the button and the AIO will automatically scan, crop, and print your picture without any input from you.
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Step 3
If your scanner/printer combination does not have "one touch" capabilities, you must save the scanned image to your PC. Computers running Windows XP or later or Apple OS X have native applications to import scanned images, then preview and print the image files.
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Step 4
Check the resolution settings of your scanner by checking the configuration tab or menu of the scanner software. Consult your specific owner's manual for its exact location. Scanning a picture at 72 dpi (dots per inch) can lead to grainy images when resized for printing. 300 dpi is a safe choice for whatever application you may be using, as it offers a good compromise between size and quality.
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Step 5
Click the "Scan" or "Import image," button in your photo software. Exact naming will vary between programs, so poke around the menus or check your owner's manual for details.
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Step 6
Open the file and select "Print" in the file viewer or photo editor that opens it. Make sure to set your options properly. Adjust the quality settings in relation to the type of paper you're using but make sure you've set your resolution properly, as printing out a large or even midsize photo at 72 dpi will result in a severe pixelation. For rough drafts of photos, a lower quality setting is better but for prints on photo-paper, the highest quality setting is your best choice.
