Best place to have digital pictures printed?

[horseshowmom]

Go ahead and register with Mpix. Once in a great while, they will run discounts. I took advantage of one that was 20% off Gallery Wraps. I splurged and had them make a 24x36 of my own family and it turned out beautifully. Another time they ran an 8x10 special. They don't release them regularly, but it's always a treat when they do.

Will do right now. Thanks!

 

[sanschag]

Still trying to decide between the two papers. I'm interested in the metallic one but afraid I won't like it when it gets here (I'm pretty traditional). I'll probably do what was suggested and try both first.

For wedding prints, I would probably stick with the E-surface (Matte). While I love the metallic papers for some subjects, they're not right for everything. At one time, you could only have one type of paper per order (not true anymore). so I ended up ordering some metallic prints of images I would normally not have. The prints are okay, but I would have preferred the matte finish. (I really wanted a couple of the images on metallic and didn't want to pay two shipping charges.)

 

[horseshowmom]

For wedding prints, I would probably stick with the E-surface (Matte). While I love the metallic papers for some subjects, they're not right for everything. At one time, you could only have one type of paper per order (not true anymore). so I ended up ordering some metallic prints of images I would normally not have. The prints are okay, but I would have preferred the matte finish. (I really wanted a couple of the images on metallic and didn't want to pay two shipping charges.)

Thanks, that's what I was wondering. All of the comments on the site were very much in favor of the metallic one so I was wavering. I may try some of the outdoor pictures that have a lot of color in them (flowers, etc.) in the metallic for comparison.

 

[Chikabowa]

It's sooooooo hard (if not impossible) to show metallic prints on the internet. It's just one of those have to see in person kind of things. But I'm going to attempt to show you what they look like.... Hopefully it gives you at least an idea of what it looks like.

The prints themselves have a sheen to them that is metallic in nature. They do have some of a reflective property them. Colors really pop.

But it's not like it looks weird or anything like that.

This is an engagement album I did for a client with metallic prints on the inside. It isn't Mpix that printed this, obviously, but it's similar metallic paper (Kodak). For the record... when doing matte prints, I prefer the Fuji papers, but hate the Fuji Pearl. Don't care for the Kodak matte, but love the Kodak metallic. Go figure.

 

[horseshowmom]

It's sooooooo hard (if not impossible) to show metallic prints on the internet. It's just one of those have to see in person kind of things. But I'm going to attempt to show you what they look like.... Hopefully it gives you at least an idea of what it looks like.

I think I see what you mean by the colors popping. The guy's blue collar almost looks 3 dimensional!

 

[Poohbear5]

Is MPIX a good bet for the photo books too?

 

[majimikate]

You will never, and really mean never, go wrong with mpix. Their work is far away better than any other lab , and their customer service is amazing. I use them or Millers only, having tried other pro labs. H&H was more expensive, but not better.

Last weekend I had trouble with some postcards I was having printed for a Christmas promotion I'm running, and customer service at mpix emailed me back and forth about 20 times answering questions and helping me make adjustments. As the pricing at mpix is so good, I would send the whole order there and not use Costco at all. I also just printed and 8x8 album on linen paper for one of my wedding clients. I delivered it yesterday, the bride was in tears looking at it...they do a beautiful job. Run, don't walk to mpix and you'll never go back.

Chris

 

[horseshowmom]

You will never, and really mean never, go wrong with mpix. Their work is far away better than any other lab , and their customer service is amazing. I use them or Millers only, having tried other pro labs. H&H was more expensive, but not better.

Last weekend I had trouble with some postcards I was having printed for a Christmas promotion I'm running, and customer service at mpix emailed me back and forth about 20 times answering questions and helping me make adjustments. As the pricing at mpix is so good, I would send the whole order there and not use Costco at all. I also just printed and 8x8 album on linen paper for one of my wedding clients. I delivered it yesterday, the bride was in tears looking at it...they do a beautiful job. Run, don't walk to mpix and you'll never go back.

Chris

Sounds perfect!

BTW, do you usually do the metallic or the regular?

 

[majimikate]

I use both, depending on the image. I just printed a few baseball collages with black backgrounds on metallic with double weight matboard backing and lustre coating, and, oh my God, they are gorgeous!! The metallic with the black background is just awesome!! For wedding images I would probably try the matte finish, but order one or two, preferably with vibrant colors in metallic and see what you think. There is sheen to the metallic that for some images is just perfect. I particularly like it for dense blacks, nothing else pops like that. If you look on the website you can order a paper sample kit for $3 (I think that's the price) and they will send you the same image (a stock image, not one of yours) on the 3 types of paper they offer. Here is the link to the page...

http://www.mpix.com/Kits.aspx/papersamplekit

(That being metallic, e-surface and true black and white, which is also very nice.) Or just order a 5x7 of a few images on both kinds of paper, their 5x7 are only $.99, so for $10 you could conceivably order a few and make your choice then. That might give you a better sense of what you'd like for your prints. Their photo books are very nice, but they have more simple layouts than you'll find on the more popular sites like shutterfly, blurb, photoworks etc. I would still choose their books over the others. You can purchase templates from other designers on their site for different design ideas as well, if you want something different than what their standard book offers. Check out the site, and good luck, mpix really does rock

Chris

 

[Christinarella]

Another vote for Mpix. Not only are their printed images superior in quality, but their customer service and shipping time are excellent as well.

I never print at Walgreen's because the ones closest to me only use glossy paper. Glossy just doesn't cut it for me. even for snapshots. Some stores use matte paper, but it definitely would behoove you to call ahead and ask if you plan on using them.

If I need something fast, I usually upload to Walmart's one-hour and pick them up. However, I almost always have a hassle with the counter clerks asking for a release letter, even though I'm printing MY OWN PHOTOS! I can't begin to count how many rounds I've gone with them!

 

[horseshowmom]

However, I almost always have a hassle with the counter clerks asking for a release letter, even though I'm printing MY OWN PHOTOS! I can't begin to count how many rounds I've gone with them!

Since I did buy the rights to the pictures, I'm assuming they will also be providing me with a release letter (although I hadn't even though about it until I read your post). How will that work with somewhere like mpix (where I'm not there in person)? Or do they just realize that I have the rights since I have the digital images?

Sorry to ask so many questions, but this type of thing is all new to me!

 

[Poohbear5]

Just opened my first order from MPIX. Definite improvement over shutterfly!
I'm quite pleased and will do a big order tomorrow.

 

[bumbershoot]

Glad I went through the pages, as this was just the question I had. Waited the 5+ years, paid the money, got the only CDs in existence of our wedding pictures (not actually sure my photog offered this at all until they had a huge fire through their office neighborhood, and actually lost their own, the photog and his wife/office manager that is, wedding picture negatives in it.... When I contacted them about getting the images they were SO happy, as they just didn't want the responsibility after that experience.

And now that I have the images I'm so excited, but scared to waste money on a bad printing place...

If you look on the website you can order a paper sample kit for $3 (I think that's the price) and they will send you the same image (a stock image, not one of yours) on the 3 types of paper they offer. Here is the link to the page...

http://www.mpix.com/Kits.aspx/papersamplekit

Sounded so worth it for 3 bucks...shipping being 5.95, suddenly doesn't sound worth it. Darn them.

However, I almost always have a hassle with the counter clerks asking for a release letter, even though I'm printing MY OWN PHOTOS! I can't begin to count how many rounds I've gone with them!

OP, yes you'll have the letter and it will be fine. As will I.

But a former friend of mine was really great with her camera and computer, and she made up her baby's announcement cards... when she went to pick up the cards, the walmart (up in Edmonton) almost *kept* her memory card along with not giving her the prints, b/c they were so sure they were professionally done, but she didn't have the release they wanted... Even having the release, it doesn't sound like a fun place to go to.


Thanks for all the mpix suggestions!

 

[scoot241]

I just made my first Mpix order the other day. Waiting for it to come in.

I also got a free hardcover 8x8 photo book from Shutterfly. You have to pay shipping, but the book is $30, so getting it for $8 seemed like a good deal. It looked very nice online. It hasn't come in yet either, but if you're interested in getting it, here's what you have to do:

http://www.spoofee.com/index.php?section=search&querystring=photo+book

 

[bumbershoot]

Sounded like such a good idea. But I don't allow apps on FB...when something says they will "access will let it pull your profile information, photos, your friends' info, and other content that it requires to work"...yeah...no.

But I will say that the Shutterfly photobook I made of "pretty" Disneyland pictures (no people, just pretty things/areas) is really very nice, so you should enjoy the book!

 

[scoot241]

Sounded like such a good idea. But I don't allow apps on FB...when something says they will "access will let it pull your profile information, photos, your friends' info, and other content that it requires to work"...yeah...no.

But I will say that the Shutterfly photobook I made of "pretty" Disneyland pictures (no people, just pretty things/areas) is really very nice, so you should enjoy the book!

I went back and disabled the app. That's the standard language for when you approve an app on Facebook, so I didn't think too much of it. I don't have much on Facebook that people don't already know anyway.

 

[ogreenlee]

i use costco when i want one hour snapshot development.

i use a pro lab for my work.

if a consumer wants to print their own images and aren't in a hurry... i always send them to mpix. yes, it's more than the drugstores and walmart. it's also much higher quality, so you pay for what you get. if you're wanting to save some money and have 300 unedited photos straight off of your card... costco or walmart (who has lustre finish).

 

[scoot241]

My photos from Mpix came in last night; all I have to say is wow! They came out excellent. I only had an issue with one image, and it turns out it was the image's fault. A B&W shot of Cinderella Castle had some faint banding in it that showed up in the print. Even so, the picture still looks very nice (I printed this one on the B&W paper).

I haven't decided how I feel about their metallic paper. I only printed one 8x10 in it, but the reflection on the skin tones seems quite yellow (a picture of my daughter at an Astros game). Maybe it was the light it was under. The metallic paper might be better for just scenery though.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I don't have any advice to contribute, but I just wanted to say that I'm thrilled that the OP referred to it as "printing" rather than getting the pictures "developed."

 

[horseshowmom]

I don't have any advice to contribute, but I just wanted to say that I'm thrilled that the OP referred to it as "printing" rather than getting the pictures "developed."

By the way, mpix has a 15% off code that ends tonight - 15PRINTS