Wal-Mart Prints

[FMX]

Are Wal-Mart prints really as bad as everyone say?

The paper is Fuji Film Crystal Archive paper and I've heard it is good stuff. The quality (as far as resolution and detail) looks better than it does on my computer screen. I can see stuff in these printed pictures that I can't even see on the computer. It is pretty incredible. The colors are spot on and everything seems pretty decent.

As far as durability... I don't know. Time will tell.

Only other problem I had was that the 8x10 versions of the 5x6 images looked a little darker than their little brothers.

What do you guys think?

I'm not shooting weddings or anything, just motocross.

[neilwood32]

The problem with Wal-mart appears to be the large variation possible between batches (which you seem to have found out about).

They do not appear to maintain/calibrate their equipment with as much care as others hence the problems.

For occasional use, I would guess they are fine. For larger scale or pro work (where colour reproduction is key), they get a fail.

[Karl Johnston]

I guarantee 9/10 people can't tell the difference between a pro lab print (same paper, type) and if it were done at walmart.

People just don't care, once it's under glass you can't tell the difference unless you know what you're looking at. Just marketing crap otherwise.

Obviously they're not great for fine art or galleries but for samples, portraits or just prints from a session I doubt any client would tell the difference, or care (less it has backprinting)

[jra]

When it comes to Wal-mart and "drug store" prints, the problem I've found is a large variation in quality. Sometimes they may come out great, other times they may be too dark or light or have a strange color cast. I would agree with Karl that the majority of the general public wouldn't really notice in most cases but I when I spend a lot of time to get a photo just right....I can tell. For photos that really matter, I use a reputable lab.

[theextremist04]

Honestly, adorama isn't all that much more expensive if you're getting large enough orders; the only down side is that you have to wait longer. But the quality is much better.

[sam walker]

Attitude is king. Mass processed is exactly that You can only set to an average and let her rip How else could you cover expenses on a $200,000 processor plus salary and materials. For 36 cents per print. Most of my stuff is web food so I don't print that much. The files I do pick to hang go to alower cost pro lab. I know the chief tech and a have good a rapport with her. She understands photography. Very happy to advise how to set up the camera,home computer etc. She looks as the files pass through.The lab in reality makes it by processing Drugstore overflow. That is cool. When an Indivisdual photogog walks in yhey take notice For the 10-15 8x10 prints I buy aear at $6.00 I don't even fill out my own work slip.If you want pro prints get a lab. I'm not buying that gear.I'm busy enough with the camera.
Sam

[krb]

A few months ago I needed a couple of prints quickly and didn't need them to be perfect so I stopped by the nearest WalMart and they came out surprisingly nice.

Normally if I just need some 8x10s I take them to my local Costco after softproofing with the profiles I downloaded off their web site.

If I need a size that Costco doesn't support or I want somthing other than a basic print, such as metallic paper, then I use mpix.com

[PhotosGuy]

My results were not good the one time I needed a fast print & there was no Costco near. I screwed up & only ordered one print when I wanted 5. So I placed a 2nd order within about 10 minutes. One print from the same file was WAY too dark. The other 4 were too light with a LOT of contrast. Remember, this was from the SAME FILE?

[JEC]

If Walmart suddenly quadrupled prices for small prints, and charged an extra processing fee named "extra special fee for professionals" for the same exact same service, they'd get twice the business, increase margins, and people all over the internet would be happier with their "elite pro" print quality and look down at those images from those who only paid the peasant's price.
;-)

[neilwood32]

My results were not good the one time I needed a fast print & there was no Costco near. I screwed up & only ordered one print when I wanted 5. So I placed a 2nd order within about 10 minutes. One print from the same file was WAY too dark. The other 4 were too light with a LOT of contrast. Remember, this was from the SAME FILE?

They dont use any quality control afaik.

Unlike most labs where they would reprint these (if there were variations) you are pretty much screwed at walmart. You have to take what you get.

[Dinoman]

The only time I'll use Walmart is if I need a lot of quick proofs printed up on the cheap and I don't have the time to wait for prints to get here through the mail. We don't have a Costco or anything here, its Walmart, Walgreens, and a smaller local photo lab. If its just a handful of proofs I'll do them on my own home printer which gets close to the same quality as the big box places, larger numbers I ain't going to burn through a ton of my own ink.

I tend to notice a huge amount of variation with the Wally World and the like prints. Some are close to what they should be, some are darker, some look like you added about a +20 brightness/contrast layer in photoshop, and some have obvious to my eyes color casts. To "average" people they'll never notice, most only care if a picture is in focus and doesn't look like you used a flash in the middle of a snow storm. Drives me batty though, I'd never offer a Walmart print as a final print. I'll go with mpix where I know what appears on my screen is what will be on the paper in the box.

[mykllynyrd]

I don't print as much as I'd like to, but the few I've done at Walmart were okay. One 8x10 my wife had done for a quick work presentation had a scratch across it and they reprinted it with no problem. Their prints do seem a little dark and lose detail in the shadows, but if I have just a couple of prints I want to give to my brother-in-law or mom, Walmart is fast and cheap.

[360°]

walmart prints always left a pink line on the left edge of the photo.....