Finding a reliable online photo printing service can be challenging with so many options available. This guide explores several popular services, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide where to print your precious memories.
Navigating the World of Online Photo Printing
Several factors contribute to a positive photo printing experience, including print quality, pricing, cropping options for smartphone photos, and packaging. Let’s delve into the performance of various online services.
Popular Choices with Potential Drawbacks
Mpix, a widely used service with a convenient smartphone app, unfortunately, received low ratings for print quality in tests. A significant issue was its inability to print smartphone photos without cropping, a potential dealbreaker for those who prioritize composition. Other services like EZprints and RitzPix offer 4:3 aspect ratio prints specifically for smartphone images, while Printique and Nations Photo Lab allow uncropped printing regardless of the aspect ratio.
Bay Photo provides small print sizes optimized for smartphone photos and boasts sturdy packaging. However, its print quality was deemed average in comparison to other contenders.
Budget-Friendly Options and Quality Concerns
Snapfish offers the lowest prices but produced disappointing results with harsh contrast and inaccurate skin tones. Packaging was also subpar, with insufficient protection leading to damaged prints.
A close-up of the edge of a rolled-up print from Snapfish that was damaged during transport.
Similarly, EZprints offered poor print quality with hazy, washed-out images lacking sharpness.
Shipping and Packaging Woes
RitzPix’s high shipping costs and inadequate packaging resulted in a damaged print. Using a larger envelope or a box could have easily prevented this issue.
A close-up of the corner of a photo print from RitzPix that has been damaged, in front of a green background.
Shutterfly’s average print quality was overshadowed by packaging issues, particularly with larger prints shipped in tubes, leading to curling. While remedies exist for flattening curled prints, they can be time-consuming and risky.
A large photo print that was shipped in a shipping tube and now has a very defined curvature, resting on a table.
User Interface and Other Considerations
Zazzle’s tedious user interface makes ordering multiple prints cumbersome. Its limited paper options further restrict its appeal. Winkflash suffers from negative customer reviews, issues with photo accessibility, and poor customer service. FreePrints offers free 4×6 prints but lacks essential information about its services and relies solely on a phone app.
Mid-Range Options and Final Thoughts
Amazon Prints provides a simple ordering process with average print quality, but its packaging could be improved.
Two large coffee table books, placed on top of a couple pieces of cardboard that are being used to flatten an unseen photo print.
Walmart offers a 4×5.3 inch print size suitable for uncropped smartphone photos, but its overall print size selection is limited. Ultimately, choosing the best online photo printing service requires careful consideration of your priorities, whether it’s price, quality, convenience, or a combination of factors. This guide provides a starting point for your search, allowing you to make an informed decision based on your specific needs.
