How to Use a Printer As a Photocopier

ICopy software converts your printer and scanner into a single-touch copier.

Many options are available to use your printer as a photocopier if you do not own a two-in-one or three-in-one machine with printer, copier and fax capabilities. Depending on your home office set-up, you can make copies of text documents or photographs using the equipment you already own. Free software applications, such as ICopy, also allow you to increase the efficiency of your copying tasks. Follow the steps below to streamline making copies using basic equipment in your home.

Instructions

1. Determine if your printer has an SD memory card slot. If your printer has a direct SD card port, take a picture of your document or upload your photographs directly from your digital camera. Use a high-resolution setting on your camera when taking pictures of a text document to ensure sufficient quality copies. Once you insert the memory card, view, crop and alter the image as needed. Then print as many copies as needed. Photographs typically print better copies from a camera or memory card than when scanned.

2. Look to see if your printer is equipped with a USB port that your camera can be plugged into directly. This method can be used without needing to remove the memory card from your digital camera. Similarly, once your computer recognizes the connection, your printer or computer's default software will allow you to alter the image.

3. Connect your digital camera directly to your personal computer if the printer is not equipped with an input capability. Use your computer's picture software to ensure the document image is legible and centered. The software will also allow you to enlarge the image to fit a full page in case your photo of the document was an incorrect size.

4. Scan your document if you own a scanner and not a camera. Scanning allows you to ensure the legibility of a text document but also requires having the original document on hand. Scanning typically produces higher-quality, better-centered copies for text documents.

5. Download ICopy from http://ICopy.sourceforge.net if using a scanner in order to make copies more rapidly. Click on the "Compatible Scanners" tab on the right side of the screen to make sure your scanner will recognize the ICopy software. Click on the "Downloads" tab on the right side of the screen and save the appropriate software to your hard drive and then press the "Install" button. Once installed, ICopy will automatically open on your computer once you press the "Scan" button on your scanner. During the first use, the program will ask you a few formatting questions and your scan will be sent to your default printer.

References

• iCopy - Free Photocopier; Downloads
• iCopy - Free Photocopier; Compatible Scanners
• PCWorld; The Best Snapshot Printers
• Families.com; Printing Photos From a SD Card