The HP ENVY Photo series printers were designed specifically for photography enthusiasts who want professional-quality prints at home. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to achieve stunning, gallery-worthy photo prints using your HP ENVY Photo printer.
Understanding Your HP ENVY Photo Printer
The HP ENVY Photo series offers several advantages for photo printing:
- 5-ink or 6-ink system: For more accurate color reproduction and smoother transitions
- Higher resolution: Typically 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi for fine detail
- Specialized photo papers: Compatible with a wide range of photo paper types
- Borderless printing: For edge-to-edge professional prints
- Advanced color management: For more accurate representation of your digital images
Pro Tip:
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 and higher models include a dedicated photo tray, making it easier to switch between regular printing and photo printing without changing paper.
Step 1: Preparing Your Digital Images
Before sending your photos to print, ensure they're properly prepared:
Resolution and Sizing:
- For best results, use images with at least 300 ppi (pixels per inch) resolution
- Resize your image to match your intended print dimensions
- Common photo sizes: 4×6″, 5×7″, 8×10″, and 11×14″
Color Space:
- Use sRGB color space for most consistent results with HP ENVY printers
- If you're working in Adobe RGB, convert to sRGB before printing
Image Editing:
- Adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation for optimal printing results
- Apply minimal sharpening specifically for print output
- Consider that prints typically appear slightly darker than on-screen images
Software Recommendations:
Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, or the free GIMP software are excellent for preparing images for printing. The HP Smart App also includes basic photo editing capabilities.
Step 2: Choosing the Right Paper
Paper selection dramatically impacts the quality and longevity of your prints:
HP Photo Paper Types:
- HP Premium Plus Photo Paper: The highest quality option with the most vibrant colors and longest-lasting prints (archival quality)
- HP Advanced Photo Paper: Excellent quality with quick-drying, water-resistant finish
- HP Everyday Photo Paper: Good quality for casual photos at a more affordable price
Paper Finishes:
- Glossy: Maximum color vibrancy and contrast, best for vibrant scenes and portraits
- Soft-gloss/Satin: Reduced glare while maintaining color richness, versatile for most subjects
- Matte: No reflections, preferred for artistic or black and white prints
Pro Tip:
Handle photo paper only by the edges to prevent oils from your fingers affecting print quality. Store unused paper in its original packaging to protect it from dust and light exposure.
Different HP photo paper types and finishes
Step 3: Optimal Printer Settings
Configure your printer for the best photo quality:
From Windows:
- Open your image in your preferred photo software
- Select "File" > "Print" or press Ctrl+P
- Click "Printer Properties" or "Preferences"
- Select your exact photo paper type from the media dropdown menu
- Choose "Best" quality (or "Maximum dpi" if available)
- Select "Borderless" printing if desired
- Under advanced settings, ensure "ICM" or "HP Color Management" is selected
From Mac:
- Open your photo in your preferred photo software
- Choose "File" > "Print" or press Command+P
- Select your HP ENVY printer from the dropdown
- From the dropdown menu (often showing "Copies & Pages"), select "Media & Quality"
- Choose your exact photo paper type
- Select "Best" quality
- Select "ColorSync" for color management
- Check "Borderless" if desired
Important:
Always match the paper type setting to the actual paper you're using. This ensures the printer applies the correct amount of ink and drying time.
Step 4: Printing from Mobile Devices
The HP ENVY Photo series excels at mobile printing:
Using HP Smart App:
- Download and install the HP Smart App from the App Store or Google Play Store
- Open the app and select your HP ENVY printer
- Choose "Print Photos" from the main menu
- Select photos from your gallery, social media, or cloud storage
- Tap "Print Settings" to adjust paper size, type, and quality
- Use the editing tools to crop, adjust, or enhance your photo if needed
- Tap "Print" to send to your printer
Direct Wireless Printing:
Most HP ENVY Photo printers also support:
- Apple AirPrint: Print directly from iOS devices without additional apps
- Mopria: Standard for Android printing
- Wi-Fi Direct: Connect directly to the printer even without a network
Social Media Printing:
The HP Smart App can connect to Instagram, Facebook, and Google Photos to print your social media photos directly. Look for the "Print Social Photos" option in the app.
Step 5: Advanced Techniques
Take your photo printing to the next level with these advanced options:
Creating Custom ICC Profiles:
For ultimate color accuracy, consider creating custom color profiles:
- Purchase a color calibration device (like X-Rite ColorMunki or Datacolor SpyderPrint)
- Print the provided color target on your specific printer/paper combination
- Scan the printed target with the calibration device
- Generate and install the custom ICC profile
- Select this profile when printing in advanced mode
Specialty Projects:
Your HP ENVY Photo printer can handle various creative projects:
- Panoramic prints: Use HP panoramic paper or manually trim larger sheets
- Photo books: Print double-sided on HP Advanced Photo Paper for DIY photo albums
- Fine art reproductions: Use HP Professional Matte Canvas or Fine Art papers
- Greeting cards: Print on HP Photo Greeting Card paper with matched envelopes
Pro Tip:
For best results with specialty projects, create a test print on regular paper first to check alignment and composition before using premium photo paper.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Solutions for common photo printing problems:
Colors Don't Match Screen:
- Calibrate your computer monitor with a calibration tool
- Ensure you're using the correct paper type setting
- Try using HP-branded photo paper, which is optimized for ENVY printers
- Print using the printer's color management instead of application-managed colors
Banding or Streaking:
- Run the print head cleaning utility from the printer's maintenance menu
- Align the printhead using the printer's maintenance function
- Ensure you're using "Best" quality in print settings
- Check for clogged nozzles by printing a diagnostic page
Prints Too Dark or Light:
- Adjust the image brightness before printing (increase by 10-15% if prints are too dark)
- For Windows, try adjusting the "Light/Dark" slider in printer properties
- Check that you've selected the correct paper type
- Print a test calibration sheet and adjust settings accordingly
Support Resources:
For persistent issues, visit support.hp.com and enter your printer model for specific troubleshooting guidance.
Conclusion
With the HP ENVY Photo series and the techniques covered in this guide, you can achieve professional-quality photo prints right from your home. Remember that great photo printing is a combination of high-quality digital images, the right paper choice, proper printer settings, and some practice.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different papers and settings to find the perfect combination for your photography style. With a bit of practice and attention to detail, your HP ENVY Photo printer can produce stunning prints that rival professional photo labs.
