Ernie Misner Loc: Lakewood, WA

I hear that Costco is turning out some good prints these days. How many of you are using their services? If so, how are you best preparing your file for them to print? (as compared to a file for viewing on your monitor) Added sharpening? Are you soft proofing using a printer profile from Costco? I see they do provide that now on their web page. Is preparing a file for a metal print any different? Thank you for any info!

RE Loc: California

I have used Costco and have been pleased with the result . I do a bit of clean up prior to submitting them, a bit of sharpening and crop mostly. I have had them produce 8 of my photo's on canvas and they have held up well for the past 5 years.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I use Costco and I am very pleased. I do Post process for sharpening, crop and color/exposure. I suggest you prepare a 4x6 and have them use their auto adjust and one where you check do not adjust, and determine which you like better. 95 percent of the time, their color/exposure adjustments are right on. No experience with Metal Prints. I do not use their printer profile.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

I send processed images the night before to Costco, and usually can pick them up by noon the next day. My standards are of a serious amateur, but with few exceptions, I have always been pleased. I will continue to use Costco. I like the poster boards.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Two questions:
1. Do they still process and print film?
2. Do they return the negatives?

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Good question.
Don't know, but will inquire next time I am there.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I had some prints done at Costco recently and was very pleased at the results. The best part was that it only took about 30 minutes. Maybe they weren't very busy. The were 11x14's, so they didn't have to be sent out. I'd use them again in a heartbeat.

LouV Loc: Juno Beach, FL

The Costco I use does not.

banjoboy Loc: Austin, TX

Recently had a 12x16 canvas wrap done by them using their printer profile. I had done only very minor dodging and vignetting in LR. It came out perfectly and looks beautiful. The tech at the local store told me they send canvas wraps out to Fuji.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I use Costco a lot - for regular prints, canvas, and metal. All are good. I found that my Costco's printer "eats" red, so I do adjust for that. I have their printer info, but I can't see that it changes anything. They will reprint for free if you're not satisfied.

I do nothing different for metal. My only issue is that their backing is plastic. My website uses a wood backing and I like that better.

They will print from film. But they quit developing film a couple of years ago. My store was quite upset about it, as they did a lot of film business.

cindylee60 Loc: the beautiful Pacific NW

I have a little canon photo printer (with the silly name "selphy") that does a great job of 4x6's. since that's the size I mostly want printed, I got one so I don't have to send them out. the cost works out to about the same or sometimes better.

Drip Dry McFleye

Unfortunately, I have had only mixed results with my local Costco. I have gotten 4x6 prints from them that I literally just dropped in the waste basket and others that have been on display in my home for years.

portcragin Loc: Kirkland, WA

Very happy with Costco. Post process all my photos in Photoshop and off to Costco. Lots Canvas and large prints. They are set up for sRBG. They print a little dark for my monitor so the last process in PP is to Brighten the image. I always use the same Costco location.

good shooting,

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

I use Costco for most of my big prints. Haven't tried the metal yet, but I will. Their work has been consistent.

I prepare each image completely to the exact size, etc. that I want. When I know which images, I usually get 11x14 as a proof print. That allows me to move the spectrum or adjust some other aspect before final print. (At $3.99, it's a bargain) Then I make sure everything is exactly as I want, change to final size, save a jpeg (I think they'll take other formats, but this one always works for me.) and send it off to them.

Diverhank

I too find Costco prints decent. There are a few things you may want to consider to get consistent results.

1. Calibrate you monitor with a calibrator (this is a must do, even without printing). I use a Datacolor Spyder calibrator.
2. Download the printer profile for the Costco you're printing from - each Costco has their own profile. You convert to Costco profile then save for the file you're going to print.
3. Test print a picture (larger is better, at least a 8x10) from Costco. The color is usually right on but the brightness will usually be too dark. This is not Costco's fault. Rather, most computer monitor is way too bright. Reduce the monitor brightness to match the Costco print. I find that the adjusted brightness works well for everything else, not just Costco prints.
4. When ordering the prints, make sure you select the option NOT to let Costco auto-adjust.

I find that my prints match perfectly with what I see on the monitor after doing the above steps...some people complain about having to try several times to get the print just right...Usually it's because of the brightness mismatch between your monitor and the print.