Printing at home vs. letting someone print for you: I'm wondering how everyone prints their photos... an at home printer or a service like shutterfly or snapfish? doesn't seem like...

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Printing at home vs. letting someone print for you

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Feb 7, 2014 10:42:49 #

MSPhotOP Loc: Virginia

I'm wondering how everyone prints their photos... an at home printer or a service like shutterfly or snapfish? doesn't seem like much of a price difference so, Whats the benefit of each?

also, If you use a printer id like to know what kind and if you get someone to print for you id like to know who

I just got some back from snapfish.. they were a great price at $.09 each with very little shipping cost ....But when I got them back the quality didn't seem to be all that good ... some photos were very orange or cut off.

Thank you,
Matt

Feb 7, 2014 10:51:55 #

miamithom Loc: Cutler Bay, Florida, USA

I use an Epson 1400, a custom color profile on matt paper. And a continuos flowing ink supply system. The print's tone matches the reproductio prints done in my darkroom, which I still have and use.

Feb 7, 2014 10:53:41 #

miamithom Loc: Cutler Bay, Florida, USA

I use an Epson 1400, a custom color profile on matt paper. And a continuos flowing ink supply system. The print's tone matches the reproductio prints done in my darkroom, which I still have and use.

Feb 7, 2014 11:47:01 #

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Several issues here. How much do you print? What sizes? What's your budget? How much control do you want over the final print?

I print my own 4X6's at home on a $90 Canon printer. Paper and ink are about 25 cents per print. I can control color cast, cropping, lightness, etc. Anything bigger goes off to a professional lab. Couple of bucks for 8X10's plus shipping. I currently use Nation's Photo Lab.

I got a coupon for 25 free 4X6 prints from WalMart, which I gave away, 'cause I don't like their prints even for free!

Epson sent me a couple of beautiful 11X14 samples printed on their professional level printers that cost $2000 to $10,000. Be careful though. Some of those printers require $1100 ink refills.

If you don't like the 9 cent 4X6's, there's no way you should try anything bigger.

Feb 7, 2014 12:30:07 #

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

You should print your own work. It gives you far more control including output options and paper types.

Feb 7, 2014 12:32:09 #

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

I shoot Lots of images and can print most all that I want with my canon printer, but when I want anything larger than 8x10, i take my memory to sam's club, they use epson printers and for $2.50 I get great poster size prints. There aren't so many pictures I want larger than 8x10 so the few I really want to frame, it makes no sense for me to buy and let dry, a big machine.. RJM

Feb 7, 2014 12:38:57 #

stableduck Loc: Chugiak, Alaska

I don't print images that often. so when I do want to make prints the ink is normally dried up or low.
I use Costco, i can upload them on the web and then just go pick them up. they have printer profiles available so my colors look right and the cost is reasonable.

Feb 7, 2014 12:48:51 #

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

I wonder if I can E-mail my digital images to my LOCAL sams' club, because I'm getting swell large prints from them when I take my CHIP in.

Feb 7, 2014 13:01:20 #

pixbyjnjphotos Loc: Apache Junction,AZ

I gave up printing at home. Too costly both in money and time. I have Walgreens print my 4x6 prints. The price is right and the quality is acceptable to most recipients. Anything larger than 4x6 I send to MPIX. Price is good, quality is very good, and the turn-around is quick. I haven't had even one client that was not satisfied with the prints from MPIX. Have a GREAT DAY

Feb 7, 2014 13:03:54 #

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

MSPhotOP wrote:

I'm wondering how everyone prints their photos... ... (show quote)

I use AdoramaPix if it's important, or Walmart if I don't care.

I only print things for reasons...not everything I shoot, I print.

In fact, I only print about (possibly) less than a dozen prints a year.

So for me...having a printer doesn't make much sense.

Feb 7, 2014 13:06:46 #

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I prefer to print my own up to 8.5x11 and I am looking at a large format printer for future use. If I want something printed I usually want it NOW. I don't want to have to run into town to a local service or wait several days for an online service. Plus, if I don't like the looks of a photo I can re-edit and reprint right then and there.

Feb 7, 2014 13:11:04 #

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

all good things to consider. like what kind of camera....what to print or not. opinions are like......oh I don't know.. I think that it is great that we can hear (read) the thoughts of so many different points of view, RJM

Feb 7, 2014 13:12:31 #

DJ Mills Loc: Idaho

MSPhotOP wrote:

I'm wondering how everyone prints their photos... ... (show quote)

I live two miles from Costco and use them almost exclusively. They will always have better printers than I do. I don't worry about equipment or supplies.
DJM

Feb 7, 2014 14:52:45 #

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

digit-up wrote:

I wonder if I can E-mail my digital images to my LOCAL sams' club, because I'm getting swell large prints from them when I take my CHIP in.

It's not actually 'emailing'. Go to www.samsclub.com/photo, setup an account through your membership, and upload them to their server.

Costco has the same arrangement. And even has ICC profiles for each of their printers at the stores.

Feb 7, 2014 15:43:05 #

MSPhotOP Loc: Virginia

Wow ... thanks everyone for your input ... gives me so many ideas to look into

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