The most significant divide when it comes to printing mechanics and material is, of course, the difference between inkjet and laser printers. Canon inkjet printers use liquid ink that can achieve a deep and vibrant color palette. This is why Canon photo printers use mainly inkjet technology. By contrast, Canon laser printers, which employ static electricity to adhere toner (a kind of powdered ink) to each page, are designed for speed and efficiency. If you want a scanner or copier included in your printer, you can find Canon all-in-one printers in both the inkjet and laser categories.

While many Canon toner and ink cartridges serve multiple Canon printer models, each Canon printer uses only a specific ink or toner cartridge. The user manual for your printer will include the information about the right Canon printer ink cartridges or toner to buy. If you are replacing used Canon printer cartridges, you can also check the model number on the used Canon cartridges to ensure you choose the correct ink or toner replacement.

If you have a Canon MegaTank printer, however, you will buy bottled ink rather than Canon ink cartridges. MegaTank printers use four separate ink tanks—black, cyan, magenta and yellow—that are refillable so that you can print high volumes and achieve less waste!

To achieve the best prints, you want to consider each element of the process, beginning with software. Your software should cater to the kind of printing that you need. In any program, take advantage of the option to look at a print preview to ensure the borders and orientation are correct before hitting print. Graphic design and photo editing software will also have color setting distinctions: RGB for digital viewing and CMYK for printing.

When it comes to choosing printer paper, be specific to the project. Heavier weight paper adds quality to your printouts, upgrading business proposals or correspondence. There are also linen and cotton-based papers that are popular for printing resumes and other professional documents. Meanwhile, photo paper comes in a range of finishes, from high gloss to matte. You can even print images on canvas.

Specialize your printer to your activities and stay stocked up on the Canon cartridges you need. Your Canon printer can cover a wide range of printing jobs or be designed for one specific task. For example, instant print portable printers are perfect for printing photos from a phone at a special event like a wedding or other party with a photo booth. If you print on a regular basis, you might save money and time by having ink delivered to your door on a set schedule with Canon’s great Pixma Print Plan.