Choosing the right online photo printing service can be overwhelming with so many options available. Factors like print quality, pricing, shipping, and even packaging can significantly impact your final product. This guide explores several popular online photo printing services, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide where to print photos that meet your specific needs.
Navigating the World of Online Photo Printing
While convenience is a major draw for online photo printing, not all services are created equal. Some prioritize affordability, while others focus on premium quality. Understanding these differences is crucial in making an informed decision.
Mpix, a popular choice with a convenient smartphone app, unfortunately, received low ratings in recent tests. Its inability to print smartphone photos without significant cropping was a major drawback. For photographers who meticulously compose their images, this forced cropping can be a dealbreaker. 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 can be a frustrating experience.
Bay Photo offers small print sizes optimized for smartphone photos and provides sturdy packaging. However, its print quality was deemed average in comparison to other services. Snapfish boasts the lowest prices but produced disappointing results with harsh contrast and inaccurate skin tones. Their packaging also proved inadequate, leading to damaged prints.
RitzPix also suffered from packaging issues, with a damaged 11×14 print arriving in a too-small envelope. The high shipping cost further compounded the disappointment. EZprints, despite its name, delivered hazy, washed-out prints that lacked sharpness.
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 highlights the importance of secure packaging for photo prints.
Shutterfly’s prints were deemed average despite being the second most expensive. The packaging for larger prints resulted in curling, requiring additional effort to flatten before display.
A large photo print that was shipped in a shipping tube and now has a very defined curvature, resting on a table.
Curled prints due to tube shipping can be easily remedied by flattening.
Zazzle’s user interface is cumbersome for multiple prints, while Winkflash suffers from negative customer reviews and accessibility issues. FreePrints offers free 4×6 prints but lacks transparency about its service.
Two large coffee table books, placed on top of a couple pieces of cardboard that are being used to flatten an unseen photo print.
Weight and time can effectively flatten curled photo prints.
Amazon Prints provides a simple ordering process and average print quality, but packaging remains a concern. Walmart offers a smartphone-friendly 4×5.3 inch print size but lacks a wide selection.
Finding the Perfect Print: Quality, Price, and Convenience
Ultimately, the best place to print photos depends on your individual priorities. Weighing factors like print quality, cost, shipping reliability, and ease of ordering will guide you to the service that best suits your needs. Consider what aspects are most important – vibrant colors, accurate skin tones, sharp details, affordability, fast turnaround, or secure packaging – and choose accordingly. This comprehensive overview should equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision and ensure your cherished memories are beautifully preserved.
