Pro Online Photo Store

[eyelab]

Looking for a online store, like snapfish, that uses good paper and long life inks. Basically looking for a place to dump pictures to get printed to sell to customers.

I want to do everything locally, but I don't think that is going to happen. Only store around is a Ritz and they want expensive prices to do their prints. A 11x14 is $9.99!! 8x10 is $4.49 (with my photo card). Need a place I can get them done much cheaper and not cost a lot to ship to me (Cause I will have to 'reship' them to customers or they can pick them up).

[eyelab]

Snapfish doesn't seem to bad, just went through their setup to see how everything works. Talked to a tech guy asked about the ink used and photo paper, and he said its all pro and will last. Same as taking it to a pro photoshop to get the prints done. Prices don't seem to bad and the shipping costs don't seem to bad either. So turning around and reshipping shouldn't cost to much at all.

Anyone have anything to mention about them? Or suggestions about other places? Need something kind of easy I can use along side my photoreflect account as well. Shouldn't be to bad I don't think.

[Jason25]

I used Snapfish awhile back and they were pretty good. Very quick turnaround time, nice looking prints. I'm waiting on prints from Shutterfly right now, and will post thoughts once I get them.

[golfladi]

I used Mpix a few times & am very happy with them. Prices seem reasonable and very fast turnaround time.

Golfladi

[Jason25]

UPDATE: I've had my Shutterfly prints for a few days now, and the paper is already curling. I don't think I'll be ordering from them again.

EDIT: I had also ordered an 11x14 print, which still has not arrived. (12/8/05) Definitely not doing business with them again.

UPDATE: The 11x14 arrived on 12/10/05. It's pretty decent for my standards. My original order was placed on 11/2/04.

[Steve Cifra]

Have used Shutterfly for years and never saw the curling. I ordered the exact same print from Shutterfly and Snapfish. The Shutterfly had better color. Even though Snapfish is cheaper, we thought the color was different enough that we will continue with Shutterfly.

Just my .02

Steve

[Vich]

There's a local pro shop around me (So Cal) that does good work, but they are far from cheap. You can send the photos to them online www.prophotoconnection.com and I believe they will ship.

A lot of local pro photographers use them.

They also have a color-balancing service that's about double in case you have a set you just can't get right.

[eyelab]

I tried snapfish, and well here is what I ordered and my problems...

25: 4x6
Color on these where dark and dingy. The ones I printed at walgreens where much better. More vivid and colorful.

1: 8x10
Had two large creases towards the top that I saw when it was reflecting in the light. I had to throw it out, bothered me so much I couldn't hang it on my wall ;(

1: 11x14 (wanted to see some bigger prints of my pictures to see quality).
Came out good. They sent it in a roll but after a few days of sitting out, it uncurrled nicely. They cropped the whole ass end off my poor horse but that was my own fault for not pre cropping. Other then that, the picture was great.

1: 12x18
Again, had creases. All along the top of the paper. I don't know if they man handle these sheets or what. But I don't think I'll order from them again either.

The 8x10 they sent in a normal envelope. Nothing to support the flimsy paper, so I can see how it probably got creases. They took no care is the way they shipped it. Which makes a big difference cause things can get damaged. I ordered from a place in Wisconsin once, great prints, they sandwich the pictures between two thick peices of cardboard. Pictures still hanging on my wall and look GREAT. Just shipping from them is $6.00 :( Regardless if I get a 8x10 or 4x6s. :(

[CaveGuy]

I've only tried Snapfish once and had the same creasing problems with the 8x10
I ordered. So bad that it wasn't suitable for framing. the smaller photos were
all OK though.

[TJ22]

I too am looking for a photo printing service. I am looking for one with good quality and nice paper. Any other suggestions?

[ddpmacho]

I use clubphoto.com and am very pleased.

[tekriter]

I have started using Costco and their web-based service and am VERY satisfied with it.

I've been ordering 12x18 prints that come out great. They are printed on Fuji Crystal Archive paper and go for $2.99.

[pwcreative]

Honestly, I've been searching myself.

Our local Wal-Mart does EXCELLENT work and I have built a relationship with them. They'll even add that "professional" looking white border around your edges for free if you ask (or buy them cookies - which I did!!!) ;) Problem is, they stay so busy! Not on turnaround time necessarily, but so busy at the counter, you can't get to them for questions or even compliments! Besides, I don't get out their way often, so I wanted someone in my daily path. No chance.

The hi schooler that answered at one "pro" lab didn't "ummm...know...ummm" and had to ask a real salesperson about prices and times. Another, one I wanted to use, wants $11 for an 8x10. Ouch!! The only reasonable solution I have found is a camera shop on the north side of town, but even still, they want $7 for an 8x10! I use them for 16x20's at $18 a pop. My local Walgreens has a clue about half the time, but only offers glossy (YIKES!!)

I would also like to see additonal suggestions regarding quality, fast turnaround, reliable pro labs you may know of...

[cdifoto]

Elco labs out of New Jersey. You don't wanna use 'em for single 4x6 snapshots (due to shipping) but if you have a batch to send away for or want larger prints done to justify it, they're quite good.

www.elcocolor.com I think. Don't mind their website...it doesn't speak well for their services which I believe are stellar.

If you're only doing 4x6, 8x10, etc prints on occasion, just get yourself a nice home photo printer like a Canon or Epson. Sure beats trying to search all over the place for the lowest shipping or closest shop.

I use an Epson R300 which isn't really even meant to be "archival"....the prints are rated at 25 years. But here's a little demo I did to prove their water-fastness when someone asked me about 'em.

The blue & white car shown is a 4x6 on Epson's Premium Glossy precut paper, and the red car is an 8x10 cut from their 8.5x11 Premium Luster Professional Paper.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/epson/epsontest-004.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/epson/epsontest-005.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/epson/epsontestglossy-001.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/epson/epsontestglossy-002.jpg

[lunaris]

For strictly online ordering MPix is great. You have 3 paper choices: pearl surface (metallic, awesome but not for all motives), e-surface (like satin or lustre), and a black and white paper, no regular high gloss. The print quality is really good. The drawback, you cannot mix paper types within one order, but you can mix sizes. Shipping cost is the same, no matter how many photos you order.

Printroom is very good also. The offer high gloss, pearl (metallic), lustre and matte papers. I don't think you can mix paper types in one order. Shipping is reasonable. The print quality is also really good.

You'll find pricing and shipping info on their websites. Just add .com to the name.

I used snapfish for film development/print and was always satisfied with the results (4x6 prints). It's been a while though. I switched back to slide a while ago. I never used them for digital stuff.

@ cdi-buy.com: Very impressive. Never tried that with my inkjet prints. I have a Canon IP8500.

[kaya3]

hi! new here. i have nothing but good things to say about www.whcc.com

i have been using them for nearly 2years with not one issue

[amorphic8]

I just ordered 10 20x30 prints of some of my photos through Kodak via the new iPhoto. I can't say about the longevity (they just arrived today) but the quality and color seems good.

The 20x30s were @ $23.00 each, tho.. plus shipping.

I ordered with express shipping on 9-7-07 and as I said received them today 9-10-07

[aperture]

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