Having prints made at Costco?
Jul 28, 2017 18:37:34 #
I have used Costco for printing for several years. I use their printer profile for the images I send to them. I do have my monitor calibrated ny Spyder. I do not allow Costco to adjust my images. I have always been quite satisfied with their prints.
Jul 28, 2017 19:59:28 #
Ernie Misner wrote:
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!
I have used Costco before. Pretty happy with them. Like any printing it may take a few prints to adjust your files (exposure, contrast, color, etc.).
Jul 28, 2017 21:16:57 #
If you are concerned about correct color and tones, make sure that you have a well calibrated and profiled computer/monitor. If you don't then let Costco autocorrect and do a series of trial and error tests (view, print, compare, adjust, view, print, compare, ...) until you can predict how your print will turn out when you look at the image on your monitor. Make sure that you can repeat the monitor settings, room light, room color, etc. once you find settings that will let you reasonably predict the print.
If you have a calibrated/profiled setup you can do better if you have your prints done at one of the Costco locations that have calibrated/profiled printers. Check https://www.drycreekphoto.com/icc/ for your location. If it has profiled printers, you will be able to use the profiles from Dry Creek Photo. Make sure that you grab the correct profile for the printer you will use and the type of paper.
See https://www.drycreekphoto.com/icc/using_printer_profiles.htm for what you should do. The discussion talks about Photoshop. A quick look will let you know that you will need to be fairly serious about this. The setup and process is not as onerous as it looks. It is tedious for the first time. This is a setup, you will not need to do this for every print.
Enjoy
If you have a calibrated/profiled setup you can do better if you have your prints done at one of the Costco locations that have calibrated/profiled printers. Check https://www.drycreekphoto.com/icc/ for your location. If it has profiled printers, you will be able to use the profiles from Dry Creek Photo. Make sure that you grab the correct profile for the printer you will use and the type of paper.
See https://www.drycreekphoto.com/icc/using_printer_profiles.htm for what you should do. The discussion talks about Photoshop. A quick look will let you know that you will need to be fairly serious about this. The setup and process is not as onerous as it looks. It is tedious for the first time. This is a setup, you will not need to do this for every print.
Enjoy
Aug 3, 2017 04:27:09 #
Diverhank wrote:
I too find Costco prints decent. There are a few ... (show quote)
Thank you for the informative replies everyone! Much appreciated and I am reading them over and over. Diverhank - are you using soft proofing with the costco's printer profile in Lightroom or PS? Thank you very much for the tips!
Aug 3, 2017 04:30:30 #
banjoboy wrote:
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.
Good to hear you are happy with the results! You used the costco printer profile for soft proofing.... but they sent it out to Fuji? What printer profile did Fuji use is the question I think.
Aug 3, 2017 14:07:15 #
banjoboy wrote:
Recently had a 12x16 canvas wrap done by them using their printer profile.
Glad you got a good canvas print, but I don't think the profile helped much. Each profile is for a specific printer with a specific paper at a specific Costco location. Specific printer means a specific serial number, not just a specific model. Costco doesn't supply profiles for off-site printers because they cannot (will not?) specify a specific printer or even a specific site.
Aug 4, 2017 00:39:37 #
jlsphoto
Loc: Chcago SubBurbs
I use Costco with good success. I mainly use them for 8x10s and larger.
If you want the their prints to match what you see on your monitor do the following.
Calibrate your monitor. My x-rite color munki recommends a luminance setting of 120 for led monitors and at this setting the prints are much darker that the monitor. I lowered my luminance to 90 and now the prints match the monitor for density.
Go to https://www.drycreekphoto.com/ and download the profiles for your Costco. You will find all the information on their website installing the profiles and how to send the photos to Costco.
Follow their instructions and you will get matching photos.
If you want the their prints to match what you see on your monitor do the following.
Calibrate your monitor. My x-rite color munki recommends a luminance setting of 120 for led monitors and at this setting the prints are much darker that the monitor. I lowered my luminance to 90 and now the prints match the monitor for density.
Go to https://www.drycreekphoto.com/ and download the profiles for your Costco. You will find all the information on their website installing the profiles and how to send the photos to Costco.
Follow their instructions and you will get matching photos.
Aug 4, 2017 01:13:06 #
Wingpilot wrote:
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.
Also very pleased with the results. And on occasion, something doesn't turn out the way you want, they reprint it while you stand there.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.