prints at pro lab or sams club?

[DS]

I'm not sure am I post this at the right place. My question is after I took some important pictrues, should I have the pro labs print those pictures or can I have it print at Sams Club? Is there any diffrence between the two places? If I choose take it to the pro lab, what should I do before I go to the lab? Thank You

[tim]

Why don't you send a sample image to both and see which you like better?

[JSolie]

Bloo, LOL! You paint such a rosy picture :p

I'm going to be in a situation in a couple of months where this very thing will arise, so I'm kinda interested in where others have had digital work printed, and what the outcome was.

As for the local Sam's Club, they're hit and miss. If the machine has broken recently, and they had the maintenance people come in, hose it out and tweak a few things, it's usually pretty good for a while. I find that their kiosk usually has about half the CF pins bent. How this manages to happen, I'll never know (other than perhaps a former co-worker lumbering in there and mashing the card in both upside down AND backwards).

I don't know if this is the same for all Sam's Clubs, but at the one close to us, all digital photos come out on matte paper. This might be fine for some uses (handing out to kids, scrapbooking the old-school way and sending off to parents who are email challenged).

-- John

[Curtis N]

Just know what sizes you want, and how many images. If you want the images cropped, be able to explain and/or show how to crop them.Wouldn't it be better to crop each image to the correct aspect ratio BEFORE taking them to the lab?

[JSolie]

Another thing to keep in mind about Sam's (or Costco) is that they might have their name printed on the back of the photos.

I would imagine this could cause quite the ruckus if a client found out that their 8x10 of old Aunt Sally was printed at the Sam's Club down the street, and that it only cost you $1.69 for the print...

(edit)
FYI, YMMV and all that stuff:
Just checked some photos I had printed at Sams, and their name isn't on the back, just some sequence numbers, possible file name and the date. The one picture I had printed at Costco said "Costco" and the store number.
(/edit)

-- John

[MTalley]

Our local pro lab, if you sign up with their pro department (requires a business license and tax number) prints your studio's name on the back of each print.

So far, everything I've gotten back has been excellent quality. They're the only game in town, though, so I imagine they can't afford to screw up too badly.

[cjm]

I use the Real Canadian Superstore for most of my private digital prints. (superstore is a CND Wal Mart Grocery store). If I say am selling the prints of need them really nice for something I use McBain's digital print lab. The cost is twice as much but the result is the best possible.

For 35mm I've noticed for multi-day pick up, they're really terrible work. Never mind missing pictures or anything but the quality is sub par for it. So if there is anyone out there who still uses film, use either 1 hour photo or get the picture disc with your multiday. That way you can get either better quality or you can edit them yourself with out having to scan a bunch of pictures.

[MTalley]

Do I sound cynical?

No, not at all. :D

On the other hand, there are a lot of online options should they go to the dogs.

[Curtis N]

That's scary. The fact that they're the only game in town means that they CAN afford to screw up.That WOULD BE scary if I was handing them rolls of exposed film worth its weight in gold.

Shooting digital means I'm just giving them a copy of something on my hard drive. Even if their computer ate my CD and spit it out in pieces, the only thing I've lost is time.

One more checkmark in the "digital advantage" column.

[grego]

Costco puts out some nice prints in Glossy or lustre if specified.

[ryno4youth]

Another thing to remember is the life of the paper/ink that the lab is using and what kind of promise they use to back that up. That said, I have seen large differences in the quality between even professional labs. A lot of times, some lab techs just let crap get by (poor trimming happens a lot). I am now using White house (wwhc.com) and they do a great job, and the lab person that does your order always drops in a card with their name on it. I just got a Canvas print and I love it!

[tim]

I'm looking at the prices for pro labs and consumer labs here, and pro labs can cost up to twice as much as consumer labs. I'm considering going to a good quality consumer lab for prints, otherwise people aren't very likely to buy many prints from me, which is especially important for weddings on a budget.

[bikerider]

I'm looking at the prices for pro labs and consumer labs here, and pro labs can cost up to twice as much as consumer labs. I'm considering going to a good quality consumer lab for prints, otherwise people aren't very likely to buy many prints from me, which is especially important for weddings on a budget.

Interesting you should say that, I've started using a consumer lab here that offers pro-quality work and I'm very happy with the results so far. I've had a variety of sizes printed form 6x4 to 30x20 on matt paper, they're as good as any pro lab I've used over the years and better than some. Camera House are a chain of stores and it does seem the quality is associated with this particular shop as I've heard of problems with others. The moral of the story seems to be there are no guarantees whether pro or consumer.

Just wondered Bloo Dog, have you tried anti-depressants, sometimes they help?

[defordphoto]

Another thing to keep in mind about Sam's (or Costco) is that they might have their name printed on the back of the photos.

At the COSTCO I go to you can request to have your name printed on the back. Well, at least as a business customer anyway. I'd assume that survice would be available to general members too.

At that store the staff are very knowledgable and helpful. I use them for basic printing and the results are very nice. However, when wanting the top-of-the-line stuff, I have a digital dedicated lab in Portland I go to and the results are breathtaking.

[cjm]

Costco puts out some nice prints in Glossy or lustre if specified.Not the costco's arouond here. Every print I have ever seen I know from looking at it with plain eye sight that it needs work done to it because they printed them too dark.

In Canada, I've heard that London Drugs is really good.

[JSolie]

I just had a 16x20 of one of my sons printed at mpix.com on their metallic paper. It's stunning! I'm now thinking that if I need an 8x10 quick, get it done locally at the Sam's Club or Costco. If I can wait a few days, or can save up a batch to help offset their shipping, I think I'll utilize them again. I'm thinking about sending in a couple of smaller orders to see if what I got was a fluke, or if I can expect that quality of print in the future.

-- John

[daclozer]

The key to Sams or Costco is the rep for the machine that does the printing and the machine. Our Sams has a new Fuji machine and the rep is meticulous about it. Photography is his hobby also, so he cares about the maintenance of the machine. as a side note, my buddy shoots a lot of nudes/erotica (no graphic porn) and the local pro shop (family owned) will not print them, but good ole sams will. It is a gag to go with him when picks up a set of prints and inspects them right there.. Sometimes the person that printed them will be a little red faced...

Our local pro shop just started printing with the metallic paper, on demand of course. What is the advantage? Anybody else have any experience with it?

[Mike Panic]

i only skimmed this thread but ill give my input

i work for one of the larger brick and morter photo stores / labs in the us. we compare our work to most every major online seller of photos as well as cvs, walmart, walgreens, etc in the local area. we do this w/ secret shoppers usually. time and time again unbiased people (and our customers) tell us that our work is better then that of the major chains or online. why? most real pro labs will have an operator who adjusts the photos before they come out of the printer. walmart and other larger places focus on numbers, what you put in is what comes out of the printer, that simple.

the nice thing about finding a local lab is that you can establish a relationship w/ them, especially if you are growing your photography business and can forsee special needs. say you need to get 150 digital prints done by 5pm, its now 10.30am. walmart won't help you, mpix or whcc.com simply can't meet a deadline like that and printing off your inkjet will be downright spendy.

im not saying this because i work at a store like this, im saying it as a photographer who sells his service and prints and deal w/ my customers who expect nothing less then the best. sure it might be a few cents more per print to use your local guy... but if you don't like the way somthing was printed and want it say, a bit more cyan, a redo is usually no more then a day away. with an online place like mpix, they don't do redo's, and when they make a rare expection, expect it to take several days to mail you a new file

[ScreaminMimi]

Make sure noboddy knows you use Sams or costco or whatever drugstore. It will kill your business. A "pro" lab is supposed to maintain anyonyniomity. In other words, nobody tells where you get yuor work done.

Spose your client saw his pic in the bin at Sam's?

[SWPhotoImaging]

All anyone knows from the back of my prints is that they are on luster finish Fuji Crystal Archive paper

Nobody needs to know where my carefully processed image files met that paper.

[Curtis N]

say you need to get 150 digital prints done by 5pm, its now 10.30am. walmart won't help you, mpix or whcc.com simply can't meet a deadline like that...Wal*Mart has done that for me, in an hour.

Not that I've always been thrilled with their quality, but most of the retail photo labs today are very much in tune with the "I need it now!" mentality so prevalant today.

I know the better labs pride themselves on being able to "improve" prints by adjusting colors and density (thereby justifying the price), but I always tell them not to make any adjustments to mine. If it gets screwed up, I want it to be MY fault. Every file I give them has been carefully evaluated and adjusted by me. If my monitor isn't properly calibrated, then that's my problem. But I want the prints to reflect my intentions, not theirs.

[blinking8s]

i used to use walmart, no major gripes...they RUINED my last order though and then after fixing refused to sell me the prints for copyright reasons....

i mean, i can go get my NCAA playoff photos from the sidelines printed there just to have on my walls for memories of my experiences, but drunken college students with a backdrop is copyrighted? haha

[SuzanneCarey]

Hi there. I thought I would put in my "two cents." I use Sam's to print my 200 4x6 proofs I offer my brides. I have been very happy with them. My Sam's is a very nice lab. The people there know me and they do a great job at printing. Their name is NOT Printed on the back and they are NOT glossy. My brides have been VERY happy with their prints. Now when it comes to anything 8x10 or large, I use Mpix. Their quality is fantastic. But for my 4x6 and 5x7 prints, so far, Sam's has been a great place for me.

I agree with another posted. Get 1 print printed at each place and decide for yourself. Every Sam's and other chain will be different.

Good luck!

Suzanne

[dragnfly1996]

I 2nd that with Mpix!! Great place, totally happy with print quality. Even says professional photography, copyrighted material...or something like that on the back. Excellent prices!

[Bosscat]

I used to use Wal-Mart for all my digital snowmobiling pics, until they started cutting heads off. When I asked them to reprint them correctly, they turned an image backwards. No word of a lie. I said thats enough of this crap. Developed a good working relationship with the owner of a local lab that also heads up the local camera club and now I get great prints and volume discounts.

Whats the old phrase?? Minimum wage gets ya minimum effort!!!

[PhotosGuy]

At the COSTCO I go to you can request to have your name printed on the back. Well, at least as a business customer anyway. I'd assume that survice would be available to general members too.

At that store the staff are very knowledgable and helpful. I use them for basic printing and the results are very nice. However, when wanting the top-of-the-line stuff, I have a digital dedicated lab in Portland I go to and the results are breathtaking.
I just joined & the 12" x 18" print from them is EXCELLENT!
Not the costco's arouond here. Every print I have ever seen I know from looking at it with plain eye sight that it needs work done to it because they printed them too dark. Our lab has turned off all corrections & the people there had a correct answer for every question I asked. You can request that. Also, if you order online for pickup at the store, you can turn the corrections off yourself. Give them another chance. Their name is NOT Printed on the back and they are NOT glossy. Not Costco, either. And you can choose what filename or persons name is printed on the back. There is no Costco printed anywhere on the print.

I used to us WallMart & generally the prints were good, but no more. Costco has their priorities straight!

[PhotosGuy]

This just posted: Sam's Club wants ALL rights to the images: Was Going to Print at Sam's Club --- Not Anymore (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1141651)

Costco asks for the rights, "...solely for the purpose of providing the Services. In no event will Costco Photo print or display any content provided by you, other than in accordance with any activity initiated by you (e.g. photo sharing, printing, etc.). You remain the owner of all content that you submit to the Services and as a condition to Membership, you represent and warrant to Costco Photo that you are the owner of the copyright to content you submit to the Services or that you have written permission from the copyright owner to submit such content."

[Curtis N]

Frank's nickname should be Lazarus.

[cdifoto]

Dammit, Frank.

[PhotosGuy]

http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-forum/popcorn.gif