In the digital age, printing photos might seem like a thing of the past. However, holding a physical print of a cherished memory is still incredibly special. If you’re wondering “Can Staples Print Photos?”, you’re not alone. Many people seek convenient and affordable options for photo printing. This review dives into the photo printing services offered by Staples, comparing them to competitors like Walmart and Shutterfly to see how they stack up in terms of quality and price.
Staples Photo Print Options and Paper
Like Walmart and Shutterfly, Staples offers a range of photo print services, from standard value prints to more premium paper choices. For this comparison, we focused on the most commonly used option, which is advertised on all three websites as Fujifilm Crystal Archive Photo Paper. This paper is a popular choice for its quality and longevity, suggesting a baseline level of quality across these providers.
Photo Printing Prices: Staples vs. Competitors
Price is always a factor when choosing a photo printing service. Here’s a quick price comparison for standard 4×6 prints:
- Walmart: $0.22 per 4×6 print (minimum order of 30 prints)
- Staples: $0.24 per 4×6 print
- Shutterfly: $0.20 per 4×6 print
As you can see, the prices are quite similar, with Shutterfly being slightly cheaper and Staples being marginally more expensive than Walmart. However, these small differences might not be the deciding factor when quality is considered.
Photo Quality Comparison: Staples, Walmart, and Shutterfly
While price is important, photo quality is paramount. It’s worth noting that the quality of prints can be influenced by printer calibration and maintenance. For this review, prints were ordered online and shipped, simulating a typical customer experience. This suggests that the actual printing may be outsourced to a central photo lab, potentially even the same one for all three services.
In this test, Walmart prints were observed to have the most consistent and accurate colors, closely resembling the professional lab prints used as a benchmark. Prints included images with warm tones, black and white, and neutral colors to assess how each service handles different color ranges and contrasts. Walmart appeared to handle these variations slightly better in this comparison.
Overview: Choosing the Best Photo Printing Service
Before placing a large order with any online photo lab, including Staples, it’s always a good idea to print a few test photos first. Quality can vary, and personal preference plays a significant role. While online print labs like Staples offer convenience and reasonable quality for the price, they may not always match the standards of a dedicated professional lab.
For quick and readily available prints, local options or services like London Drugs (known for 24-hour service) can be very convenient. However, if time is not a constraint, Staples, Walmart, and Shutterfly are viable options to consider. Ultimately, the “best” photo lab is the one that meets your individual needs in terms of quality, price, and convenience.
In conclusion, yes, Staples does print photos, offering a convenient option for everyday photo printing needs. Experiment to find the service you like best and start printing those precious memories today!
