Finding the right service for your photo printing needs can be challenging. This guide explores various online photo printing services, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide Where To Get Photo Prints that meet your quality and budget requirements.
Navigating the World of Online Photo Printing
Several online services offer photo printing, but quality, pricing, and packaging vary significantly. While some excel in specific areas, others fall short. Here’s a breakdown of popular options:
Popular Choices with Potential Drawbacks
Mpix, a widely used service with a convenient smartphone app, unfortunately, received low ratings in recent tests. Its inability to print smartphone photos without cropping was a major concern. This forced cropping can be a dealbreaker for photographers who meticulously compose their images. Alternatives like EZprints and RitzPix offer smartphone-friendly 4:3 aspect ratio prints, while Printique and Nations Photo Lab allow 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 insufficient packaging are a common problem with some online printing services.
Bay Photo offers small prints optimized for smartphone photos and provides sturdy packaging. However, its print quality was deemed average in comparison to other services.
Budget-Friendly Options and Quality Concerns
Snapfish boasts the lowest prices among the tested services, but its print quality was disappointing. Issues included harsh contrast, inaccurate skin tones, and inadequate packaging that resulted in damaged prints.
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 RitzPix print highlights the importance of secure packaging.
RitzPix also suffered from packaging problems, with a damaged print arriving due to a small shipping envelope. Furthermore, its shipping costs were significantly higher than average. EZprints, while affordable, produced hazy and washed-out prints with poor sharpness.
Premium Services and Packaging Issues
Shutterfly, a more expensive option, delivered average print quality but faced criticism for its packaging. Thin envelopes for small prints and tubes for larger prints led to curled photos requiring flattening before display.
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 arrive curled, requiring additional effort to flatten.
Zazzle’s user interface, designed for single orders, makes it cumbersome for multiple prints. Its limited paper options further restrict its appeal.
Other Services and Considerations
Winkflash’s negative reviews, customer service issues, and reports of lost photos raise significant concerns. FreePrints offers free 4×6 prints but lacks transparency regarding its printing process and company information. Amazon Prints provides affordable prints with average quality, but packaging remains a concern. Walmart offers a smartphone-friendly 4×5.3 print size but has a limited overall selection.
Two large coffee table books, placed on top of a couple pieces of cardboard that are being used to flatten an unseen photo print.
Flattening curled prints using weights and cardboard can take 24-48 hours.
Making an Informed Decision
Choosing where to get photo prints involves balancing quality, price, and convenience. Consider your priorities and research thoroughly before selecting a service. Factors like print size options, aspect ratio compatibility, packaging quality, and customer service responsiveness should all play a role in your decision. By carefully evaluating your options, you can ensure your cherished memories are preserved in high-quality prints.
