Yellowknife (June 30/03) - Most people these days are using digital cameras to capture life's best moments. However, after the shutter is snapped photographers may not have the equipment necessary to print the photo.

Fortunately, most cameras come with a cable to download photos to a computer. Others come with a compact flash card that can be put into a printer and will directly download photos.

In order to do all this, a person must first get a printer.

According to a Yellowknife expert Peter Radicchi, the best printers to buy are those with high resolution. A laserjet printer with 4800 dots per inch (DPI) will give you the best quality.

While serious photographers might look into Hewlett-Packard or Kyocera Mita laserjet printers, they should be warned that the printers cost at least $2,000.

However, an "office-duty ancient printer with 2400 DPI can give a pretty decent print," said Radicchi, an associate at Workplace Plus.

"An inkjet printer is almost better sometimes," said Radicchi. "That's just personal choice, though."

Inkjet printers are less expensive than laserjet ones. Prices range from $99 to $600.

Radicchi recommends purchasing a good quality inkjet printer at around $250. Some brand names are Hewlett-Packard, Lexmark and Epson.

"Just as important as the printer is getting photographic quality paper," Radicchi said.

Depending on what a person wants to do with a photo, they can use regular printer paper or special photo paper.

"If you want a good picture to send to someone or frame, use specialty photo grade papers," said Raddicchi.

For ink-jet printers, there are different types of paper -- from semi-gloss and high-gloss to canvas textured. Prices range from $13 to over $20.

"With inkjet, paper inks don't bleed so you get good, sharp-looking pictures."

Paper designed for dry-toner laserjet printers are just as varied but cost around $25 to $30.

These types of photo paper "make a humongous difference in quality," he said.