Please weigh in: Prints

[WeLoveNemo]

I am sure this has been done before, but my internet and/or computer are so dreadfully slow I cannot bear the thought of using the search engine to look.

So, please, if you might, present me with your thoughts on which is better, printing at home vs. an online company like snapfish or kodak gallery. And, if you have a preference, what is your favorite printer or developer?

Thanks so much!

 

[My2Girls66]

I use Snapfish or Ritz. The ink in my printer goes wicked fast when printing photos! It prints great photos just seems much more costly than having them printed.

 

[Chikabowa]

My favorite consumer lab is mpix.com. They do an awesome job.

 

[Daleh]

I think having them printed is so much easier. I don't like to work my printer that much.

 

[Furgus]

My favorite consumer lab is mpix.com. They do an awesome job.

Another vote for MPIX. I send things I can not print at home there. IE anything larger then 13X19

 

[MICKEY88]

another vote for mpix, you might find labs that will beat their price, but not their quality..

I actually chose zenfolio as my hosting site, because they are partnered with mpix, so when customers order pics off my site, I know they are geting great quality prints..

 

[lumpy08]

I actually use Costco. But it all depends on the group of people working in the photo department. My dh laughs because when we go to Costco I actually wave to them when I walk in. I can upload my photos and when I get to Costco they are already printed. My family lives closer to another costco, but they come to the one near me where the people and quality is much better.

I also did just get a calendar and photo coasters from snapfish and the quality was great. I had 3 calendars printed and they came wrapped in plastic. I had a problem with one of them and the customer service was excellent. The one thing I would suggest is to send your top 5 to 10 photos to a few of the places you may like to use and compare. I myself like lustre instead of glossy, so that may make a difference in your selection as well.

I have also printed photos on my canon and hp printer. I find using my home printer is better for those quick photos you want in an instant. If it is something I am going to want to last a long time my preference is using costco, snapfish, mpix etc.

 

[safetymom]

I print all mine at home. I love the quality of the prints. I know they will last a long time printed this way.

 

[MICKEY88]

I print all mine at home. I love the quality of the prints. I know they will last a long time printed this way.

I'm curious as to how you know that.

lab prints have been around a long time and life span has been tested,

I know all manufactureres claim their prints will outlast lab prints, but I've read too many stories to the contrary, early fadings, colors running if they get wet..etc...

 

[safetymom]

http://www.wilhelm-research.com/

I have had the opportunity to attend seminars with Mr. Wilhelm. They have found in many cases that ink jet prints will last longer than dark room prints.

 

[MICKEY88]

http://www.wilhelm-research.com/

I have had the opportunity to attend seminars with Mr. Wilhelm. They have found in many cases that ink jet prints will last longer than dark room prints.

as I stated before I've seen the articles where those claims are made, but in the real world I've heard to many tales of prints fading, or running when wet, what printer do you use, and have you ever run water on one of your prints to see what happens, I've never seen an inkjet print that doesn't run..

I'm not trying to argue with you, I'm just trying to understand, how one can be certain with a new technology,,that has not been time tested against the real elements of evryday living..

the same happened with cd's they originally claimed they would last for 100 years, now it's been proven they start to break down within 5-10 years so they are not a good archival source for data..

 

[safetymom]

Yes I have run my prints under water. When I did classes I actually had a print sitting in a glass of water with no running. I am using the Epson R800, 1800 and 2400.

There was a problem years ago with the ink but they have come a long way since then.

Everyone has to be comfortable with their method of printing, I am comfortable with my choice of using ink jets. I know too many pros that feel the same way as I do to change to something else.

 

[MICKEY88]

Yes I have run my prints under water. When I did classes I actually had a print sitting in a glass of water with no running. I am using the Epson R800, 1800 and 2400.

There was a problem years ago with the ink but they have come a long way since then.

Everyone has to be comfortable with their method of printing, I am comfortable with my choice of using ink jets. I know too many pros that feel the same way as I do to change to something else.

I guess it's just like camera brands, it's all about personal preference, all the pros I know use professional labs, unless they are doing event photography and need prints on the spot, not to be confused with spots on the print...LOL

thanks for sharing your knowledge and helping to enlighten me..

 

[safetymom]

I guess it's just like camera brands, it's all about personal preference, all the pros I know use professional labs, unless they are doing event photography and need prints on the spot, not to be confused with spots on the print...LOL

thanks for sharing your knowledge and helping to enlighten me..

We can agree on that. If everyone did their photography and prints the same way it would be pretty boring. There is room for lots of opinions.