How to Print Photos From a Disc

Printing photos from a disc is a simple process with the most basic computer equipment.

Printing photos from a disc provides many opportunities for giving digital photos a new life in print. Any basic photo editing, desktop publishing or word processing program will allow you to print from the disc with just a few minor steps. If you have no computer or wish to avoid the process, take the disc to a photo kiosk at most drugstores or photo labs and you can print directly from the disc in a few simple steps.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with basic word processing or photo editing software

Instructions

1. Insert the disc into a computer equipped with a basic photo editing software program. If a photo editing program is not available, use a word processing program. This option will work, but limited image editing will be possible, depending on the program. You can also find basic photo editing programs for free online.

2. Open the digital image file in the editing program and open the image size dialogue box.

3. Adjust the resolution to between 150 and 300 DPI, or dots per inch. Resolution refers to the amount of data present in the photo and the minimum for printing is 150 DPI. A smaller resolution could be attempted if your photo is very small in print dimensions, say a 2-inch by 3-inch photo, but you will notice pixelation, or squares, present throughout the photo.

4. Adjust the image size to the desired dimensions you wish to print. If the photo is a 4x6 inch print, you will be unable to enlarge the file to an 8x10 print. The resolution will also affect the size you can print at. The smaller the resolution, the smaller the print will need to be to maintain an acceptable quality.

5. Make any additional adjustments to the photo, such as cropping or lightening the image, and save the photo to your computer hard drive.

6. Insert photo paper into your desktop printer and press the printing function in your photo editing program.

7. Select the proper printing settings from the printer dialogue box and press "Print." The settings available will vary based on your printer, but most basic printers will allow you to choose the color settings, photo quality and vertical or horizontal printing orientation.

8. Allow the print to dry before handling, as the inks may smear if handled too soon. Confirm that the settings and resolutions are correct and continue printing if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Most basic word processing programs will allow you to import or insert an image into a document and simply print the document. This does not allow much flexibility in adjusting the quality and size of the image, but it is a basic and simpler way to print from a disc.

• Certain computers will also possess a photo viewing program and may allow you to print directly from the preview function.

References

• Photoshop Essentials: Image Resolution, Pixel Dimensions and Document Size