Smartphones and tablets allow us to surf the web, take photos and check emails, just like we would on a computer – but what if you want to print something? If you have a printer that supports wireless and is connected to the same wi-fi network as your phone or tablet you can print very easily. Here, the GHI shows you how.
If you have a printer that connects to your PC by USB cable then you will have to either email what you want to print to the PC and print it that way, or connect your smartphone or tablet to your PC using a USB cable and then transfer the files.
iPhone or iPad
Apple has a technology known as AirPrint, which makes printing from an iPad or iPhone easier. Not all printers support this technology, so check in your instructions to see if you printer does. If you have a printer that supports AirPrint, make sure it’s switched on and connected to the same network as your iPhone or iPad. Open the app you want to print from, and then press the Share button. Select your printer from the list displayed. You’ll then be presented with a screen that allows you to choose the number of copies before you then tap Print.
If you don’t have an AirPrint enabled printer or you're trying to print from an app that doesn’t support AirPrint, as not all do, check if your printer’s manufacturer offers a free app that allows you to print from your device. Epson, HP and Canon all have apps to ensure you can print from your smartphone or tablet.
Google Android smartphones and tablets
On your Android phone, printing is as simple as tapping the menu in your open document or photo and selecting Print. Make sure that both your printer and your smartphone are connected to the same wi-fi network. On the menu of your open document, choose Print, Select A Printer then All Printers. Here you'll find the option to Add Printer. It'll scan your wi-fi networks and list the printers available to you!
Aletrnatively, Google has its own technology known as Cloud Print that makes it easy to print from an Android device to a wireless printer compatible with Cloud Print (again, check in your instructions to see if your printer supports Cloud Print).
If you don’t already have Google Cloud Print installed on your Android smartphone or tablet, head to the Google Play app store and download it for free. You can check whether it’s installed by opening the Settings app and tapping Printing. If it says No Service Installed, you don’t have Google Cloud Print. Tap the options menu in the top right-hand side and press Add Service. The Play Store will then open, so select and install Cloud Print. Make Sure Cloud Print is also enabled from the Printing menu in Settings.
Next, you’ll need to add your printer. From the Options menu in the top right-hand corner, select Add Printer. Now follow the instructions on screen to wirelessly connect your printer. Once completed you’re ready to print. Simply open the app you want to print from and, from the Options menu in the top right-hand corner, select Print.
Just like AirPrint, if you have a printer that’s not Cloud Print enabled, check to see if your printer’s manufacturer offers a free app that allows you to print from your smartphone or tablet. Epson, HP and Canon all offer apps to ensure you can print from your smartphone or tablet.
Windows Phone
Look to see if your printer manufacturer has a free app – Brother and HP currently have apps for printing from Windows Phone. You can also print directly from your open documents, like with Android, if your smartphone and printer are connected to the same wi-fi network.
To print from a Windows tablet, swipe to the left to bring up the Charms bar and then select Devices. If you can see your printer listed (it has to switched on) then you can tap it and follow the instructions on screen to print. If no printer is listed, then either your printer is not switched on or you can’t print from the app you’re using as not all apps support printing.
Print your photos
Instant photo printers are quick and easy way to print out photos straight from your smartphone. These palm-sized devices connect using Bluetooth or wi-fi to a dedicated app on your device, and produce a photo from your phone to your hand in less than a minute. They use special paper with ink crystals embedded into it which are activated by heat from the printer. It can cost you anywhere between 50p and £1p per print from an instant printer and the paper is relatively small, around 2x3in. You can choose a printer that will give you square prints, glossy prints, or even retro bordered prints.
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Score: 79/100
The Instax Share SP-2 is a really fun way to get your photos instantly printed onto retro paper. It connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and takes just 15 seconds to print! The device itself is a little bulky, and it won't please eco-warriors as the photo paper comes in a plastic cartridge which will have to be thrown away after use.
Instax Share SP-3
Score: 78/100
This stylish Bluetooth printer builds on the SP-2 by allowing you to print slightly larger 2.4in square prints. It also lets you create a collage of up to nine different photos or lay text over images in the style of a magazine cover. The prints take about 19 seconds, although they still take up to two minutes to fully develop. And there's also a reprint button that quickly lets you duplicate the last print.
instax Instax Link
Score: 78/100
This instant printer is tiny, it would easily fit into your bag or even a pocket. It prints photos onto credit-card-size paper with a retro white border and takes just 20 seconds to print a photo from your smartphone, then up to two minutes to develop. The smartphone app has loads of fun features to play with too, like Party Print which connects up to five smartphones to create funny photo collages.
HP Sprocket Plus
Score: 76/100
The HP Sprocket Plus creates prints that are 30% bigger than the average Bluetooth printer. It lets you print photos from your smartphone, as well as from Facebook, Instagram and Google. Plus use the scan function in the app to see the date the photo was taken, other stored pictures, and the location if you turned on GPS tagging. This printer is a little slow though and prints will take about a minute.
Canon Zoemini
Score: 75/100
The Canon Zoemini willeasily fit into a pocket and is simple to set up. The included app has lots of ways to edit your photos, from borders, stickers and 3D filters such as animal masks to give your photos that fun factor. And the prints double up as stickers too! Photos did come out looking warmer than the original image though.
As a seasoned technology enthusiast with a demonstrated depth of knowledge in the field, I'd like to provide insights into the concepts mentioned in the article about printing from smartphones and tablets. My expertise stems from years of hands-on experience with various devices and technologies, including printers and mobile platforms.
The article primarily discusses the process of printing from different types of devices, such as iPhones, iPads, Android smartphones, tablets, and Windows Phones. It also touches on instant photo printers that connect to smartphones via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Let's delve into the key concepts covered in the article:
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Wireless Printing:
- The article emphasizes the convenience of wireless printing from smartphones and tablets. This involves having a printer connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the mobile device.
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AirPrint for Apple Devices:
- Apple devices, such as iPhones and iPads, utilize AirPrint technology for seamless printing. AirPrint-enabled printers allow users to print directly from their Apple devices without the need for additional apps.
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Alternative Apps for Printing:
- In cases where AirPrint is not supported or for apps that don't support it, users are advised to check if the printer's manufacturer provides a free app. Manufacturers like Epson, HP, and Canon offer apps to facilitate printing from smartphones and tablets.
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Printing from Android Devices:
- Android smartphones and tablets offer a straightforward printing process. Users can select the Print option from the document or photo menu, choose a printer on the same Wi-Fi network, and print.
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Google Cloud Print for Android:
- Google's Cloud Print technology allows printing from Android devices to compatible wireless printers. Users need to install the Google Cloud Print app from the Play Store and connect their printer wirelessly.
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Windows Phone Printing:
- For Windows Phones, users can either check if the printer manufacturer provides a free app or print directly from open documents when the smartphone and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network.
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Instant Photo Printers:
- The article introduces instant photo printers that connect to smartphones via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. These portable printers produce physical prints quickly, typically in less than a minute.
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Printer Options and Features:
- The article concludes with recommendations for specific instant photo printers, highlighting their features, such as connectivity, print speed, and additional capabilities like collage creation or editing options.
By sharing this comprehensive overview, I aim to assist readers in understanding the intricacies of printing from their mobile devices and selecting the appropriate methods based on the devices and technologies they own. If there are specific questions or details you'd like to explore further, feel free to ask.
