Online Printing Service or Printer Options

[MariaMaria]

Hello!

I'm looking into online print services for high quality prints or is the local Walgreens just that good? Maybe even a site with storefront capabilities if the need were to arise in the future. I'm guessing an at home printer that would print HQ images would be relatively expensive, especially to accommodate large prints (11×14 or higher). However, suggestions on both are appreciated!

[Mike Buckley]

There are lots of online printers that have good reputations.

I use MPIX.com mostly because I began using them a few years ago and because they inexpensively provide an electronic file of an image and a print of it. If the image when loaded in your image editor looks the same as the print, you have essentially "closed the loop" and can expect similar consistency when you receive prints of your own files.

[Shadowman]

The online sites are good and also costly, 11" x 14" size might not be that expensive though. Purchasing a printer has an initial layout cost, but for the size you are considering additional expenses could be managed easily. Determine what is the largest size print you would want to do at home and how often you plan to print at that size, calculate the cost of the printer, ink, paper. Of course, one thing to remember about at home printing, if you make a mistake you eat the cost, if the online printer makes the mistake they eat the cost.

[DanK]

Good print labs are not very expensive. When I don't print my own, I use Bay Photo, and I have been highly satisfied. You won't save much money by printing on your own. In fact, some people have calculated that for some printers, it is actually more expensive. There are reasons to print on your own, but saving money isn't one of them. I would use a real lab, like Bay Photo or White House Custom Color. I've never used MPix, so I can't compare it.

One thing that affects the cost is whether you have a color managed workflow. If you have your monitor calibrated properly, you can adjust colors yourself, and then you can use the economy service at a lab, which at Bay Photo means that they don't adjust color. That is what I do. If you don't have full control of color, I would pay more and get their color-corrected prints.

[Manfred M]

I know of a couple of pros that use Costco for their run-of-the-mill prints. Printer profiles are available on-line by location.

[davidedric]

Not in North America, so can't comment on specifics.

I just have a consumer grade A4 photo printer, and have just started using a commercial printer:

Up to A4, no advantage either way, so will probably home print.

A4 is break even. Commercial is a bit more pleasing. I don't print too many, so cost isn't really a consideration. Nice to be able to try different effects at home, and see the results.

Above A4, I will go commercial. Certainly not worth investing in an A3+ printer and inks.

Dave