Finding the right online photo printing service can be challenging with so many options available. Print quality, pricing, and even packaging can vary significantly between providers. This guide explores several popular online photo printing services, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you determine where to print high-quality photos for your needs.
Navigating the World of Online Photo Printing
Several factors contribute to a positive photo printing experience. While price is often a consideration, factors like print quality, paper options, aspect ratio compatibility, and even the packaging used for shipping can greatly impact the final product.
Popular Choices and Potential Pitfalls
Mpix, a popular service with a convenient smartphone app, unfortunately, received low ratings for print quality in recent tests. More concerning was its inability to print smartphone photos without significant cropping, a potential dealbreaker for photographers who meticulously compose their images. Services like EZprints and RitzPix offer 4:3 aspect ratio prints optimized for smartphone photos, addressing this common issue. Printique and Nations Photo Lab go a step further, allowing for uncropped printing regardless of the aspect ratio.
A close-up of the edge of a rolled-up print from Snapfish that was damaged during transport.
Damaged prints due to inadequate packaging are a common complaint with some online photo printing services.
Bay Photo, known for its robust packaging, offers small print sizes ideal for smartphone images. However, its print quality was deemed average in comparison to other services.
Snapfish, while boasting the lowest prices, produced disappointing results with harsh contrast and inaccurate skin tones. Furthermore, inadequate packaging resulted in damaged prints, highlighting the importance of secure shipping practices.
A close-up of the corner of a photo print from RitzPix that has been damaged, in front of a green background.
A damaged corner on a print illustrates the need for protective packaging during shipping.
RitzPix also suffered from packaging issues, with a damaged print arriving due to a too-small shipping envelope. This, coupled with high shipping costs, made RitzPix a less appealing option. EZprints, like Snapfish, produced underwhelming prints characterized by a hazy, washed-out appearance and lack of sharpness.
Mid-Range and Niche Services: A Mixed Bag
Shutterfly, despite being the second most expensive service tested, delivered average print quality. Packaging issues, leading to curled prints, were a significant drawback.
A large photo print that was shipped in a shipping tube and now has a very defined curvature, resting on a table.
Prints shipped in tubes often require flattening before they can be displayed or framed.
Zazzle’s user interface, designed for single-order jobs and limited paper options, proved cumbersome for printing multiple photos. Services like Winkflash and FreePrints presented concerns regarding accessibility, customer service, and lack of company information, respectively.
Two large coffee table books, placed on top of a couple pieces of cardboard that are being used to flatten an unseen photo print.
Weighting down curled prints between cardboard sheets is a common method for flattening.
Amazon Prints offered a simple ordering process and average print quality but fell short in packaging, resulting in a damaged print. Walmart, while offering a smartphone-friendly print size, lacked a comprehensive selection of print sizes compared to other services.
Finding the Perfect Print: Quality, Price, and Convenience
Ultimately, the best place to print high-quality photos depends on your individual needs and priorities. Carefully weigh factors such as print quality, pricing, ease of ordering, available print sizes, and packaging to ensure a satisfying experience. Look for services that prioritize secure packaging to avoid damaged prints and offer a range of sizes and aspect ratios to accommodate various image formats. By considering these factors, you can confidently choose a service that consistently delivers beautiful, high-quality prints that meet your expectations.
