In today’s digital age, while we capture countless memories on our smartphones, the desire to hold tangible prints remains strong. If you’re wondering Where To Order Photos online, you’re in the right place. Numerous online photo printing services promise convenience and quality, but not all deliver equally. This review dives into some of the most popular options, examining their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide the best place to bring your digital photos to life.
Mpix, a widely recognized name in photo printing, even offers a convenient app for ordering directly from your phone. However, our tests revealed some shortcomings. Panelists actually ranked Mpix prints as their least favorite. A significant drawback we found was its inability to print smartphone photos without cropping. For photographers who meticulously compose their shots, this forced cropping can be a major issue.
A close-up of the edge of a rolled-up print from Snapfish that was damaged during transport.
Damaged photo print from Snapfish showing a crease on the edge due to insufficient packaging during shipping.
Services like EZprints and RitzPix offer more smartphone-friendly options, providing a 4:3 aspect ratio print size that accommodates typical smartphone photos without cropping. Printique and Nations Photo Lab go a step further, giving you the flexibility to print your images uncropped, regardless of aspect ratio mismatches. Unfortunately, at the time of testing, Mpix didn’t provide either of these crucial options for smartphone photographers seeking to preserve their original compositions when they order photos.
Bay Photo stands out by offering small print sizes specifically optimized for smartphone photos, coupled with robust packaging. Despite these advantages, Bay Photo’s actual print quality in our tests was merely average. In blind comparisons, participants consistently placed Bay Photo prints in the middle, rarely choosing them as a top or bottom pick, suggesting it’s a decent but not exceptional choice for online photo orders.
For those seeking budget-friendly options, Snapfish positions itself as the lowest-priced service we tested. However, this affordability comes at a cost in print quality. Both 8×10 and 4×6 prints from Snapfish exhibited harsh contrast, resulting in loss of detail in both shadows and highlights. Portrait photos also displayed noticeably orange skin tones. Packaging was another concern. Smaller prints arrived in a flimsy cardboard envelope without padding, offering minimal protection during transit. While the 11×14 print was shipped in a tube, the lack of internal padding led to bent edges upon arrival, as shown in the image.
A close-up of the corner of a photo print from RitzPix that has been damaged, in front of a green background.
Corner of a damaged photo print from RitzPix highlighting shipping damage due to inadequate packaging.
RitzPix also struggled with packaging and shipping damage. Their 11×14 print arrived in a flat envelope with thin backing boards, similar to those found in inexpensive photo frames. The envelope’s tight fit for the 11×14 photo led to corner damage when the package was crushed in transit. This damage could have been easily avoided with a larger envelope or, preferably, a box, as used by several other services. Adding insult to injury, RitzPix charged a hefty $14.95 for shipping – more than double the average cost compared to other services we evaluated.
EZprints, similar to Snapfish, stood out for consistently delivering subpar prints. Across the board, EZprints photos had a hazy, washed-out appearance, as if veiled. They were noticeably less sharp than prints from other services, and areas of solid color exhibited an undesirable mottled texture.
Shutterfly, while being the second most expensive service in our tests, provided only average print quality. Our primary complaint with Shutterfly was also packaging-related. Small prints were shipped in a thin, flat envelope, and the 11×14 print arrived curled in a tube, requiring flattening before display. While a curled print can be uncurled, as shown in the image, it adds an extra step and potential risk of damage.
A large photo print that was shipped in a shipping tube and now has a very defined curvature, resting on a table.
Curled photo print from Shutterfly demonstrating the effect of tube shipping on print flatness.
Zazzle offers photo printing, but its user interface is clearly designed for small, individual orders, not bulk printing. Ordering prints involves a cumbersome process of dragging each image onto a print-size template on its own order page. This approach is far too time-consuming for ordering more than just a few prints.
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 a curled photo print between cardboard sheets and heavy books to flatten it, a safer alternative to manual uncurling.
Winkflash is plagued by overwhelmingly negative customer reviews. Beyond reported issues of customers losing access to stored photos due to company ownership changes, numerous users have reported difficulties contacting customer service. Customer support is limited to a web form, with no phone or email options available. These factors made Winkflash an easy service to dismiss from our considerations for where to order photos.
FreePrints, living up to its name, offers up to 1,000 free 4×6 prints annually, requiring only payment for shipping. However, their website provides minimal information about the company, print quality, or the ordering process. The lack of transparency and the “too good to be true” proposition raise concerns about the overall service and quality when you consider where to order photos with confidence.
Amazon Prints offers 4×6 prints at a competitive price, though they have increased from previous lower rates. For Amazon Prime members already utilizing Prime Photos for storage, ordering prints is conveniently integrated. The ordering process is straightforward. Print quality, however, was just average – not the best (skin tones tended to be orange) but also not the worst. Photos arrived within six business days. Packaging was again a letdown, consisting of a flat mailer with thin cardboard, resulting in corner damage to one print.
Walmart provides a 4×5.3-inch print size, which accommodates the 4:3 aspect ratio of smartphone images without cropping. However, their overall selection of print sizes is less comprehensive compared to our top picks. While a decent option for specific smartphone prints, it may not be the best all-around choice when considering where to order photos for diverse needs.
Ultimately, choosing where to order photos online depends on your priorities. While some services offer lower prices, they often compromise on print quality and packaging. Others may provide better print quality and smartphone-friendly options but at a higher cost. Carefully weigh your needs and consider factors like print quality, packaging, and price to make the best decision for your precious photo memories.
