Amazed by Costco's Printing

For me Costco is about an hour round trip, so while it wont be used for everthing larger orders make it worth it I did notice the smaller stuff was just a tad different then the same image that was larger. Guess thats why.

LV Moose wrote in post #15434817
Almost orgasmic!

You too?

I've used Costco for a very long time. I have printed small up to very large. I even printed out posters for every boy on my son's soccer team and the kids and parents were so thrilled at how professional they looked. You can't go worn with costco and I can even get stuff back in a few hours.
I had thought of doing xmas packages for people at work but I can't even compete with their pricing.

I use costco all the time on my "budget" jobs. They do more than fine. And it helps a lot when the client is trying to work in a limited budget. It allows you to be "flexible" but maintain decent margins.

They use the same machines as some of the "name brand" labs.... But they only keep one machine properly calibrated. At least at the costco here. One machine is calibrated the other is only matched to it. Their large format printers are also calibrated. You can even get the profiles for specific machines online.

As much as people make fun of them. There are indeed a viable resource.

SullyMass wrote in post #15434829
For what it's worth, I just created an account on the Costco Photo site and when it came time to enter in my Costco Membership #, I entered 12 zeros and my phone number. I was then able to select Mail option and enter the address. Whether or not the membership # is crossed references behind the scenes during the order process is TBD, might be worth a try?

FWIW I just ordered some prints using this method and paid online and got an order number. So, perhaps this has worked.

I was costco every week or every other week for general shopping. I do print a fair bit there, and have printed up to 20x30. you can download their printer profile and do a proof before you print thing in CS. However, the paper they use is not as heavy stock as some of the other labs. I have found Adorama truly fantastic, very reasonable in price (esp during their sales). better paper, very nice prints, and I use them for any commercial print, or anything that I want to frame myself. a 20x30 will cost min of 150 to frame. I dont care if I pay 10 dollars for the print of 18.

SullyMass wrote in post #15434673
They offer shipping.

The last I heard, mailed prints uploaded online aren't made in the store by Costco. You should check into what profile they should have.

And for anyone's first time ordering...
If you use Image> Mode / Convert to profile, uncheck the ICC profile box at the bottom when you File> "Save As".
Don't use fast upload.
Turn Autocorrect off. It's just before clicking on "Place Order" at the end.

Each store has their own profile, & they're updated about once a year. Mine does it in the Fall. Click on the locations at the left in: http://www.drycreekpho​to.com/Frontier/index.​html

SullyMass wrote in post #15434829
For what it's worth, I just created an account on the Costco Photo site and when it came time to enter in my Costco Membership #, I entered 12 zeros and my phone number. I was then able to select Mail option and enter the address. Whether or not the membership # is crossed references behind the scenes during the order process is TBD, might be worth a try?

Hosted photo: posted by SullyMass in
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forum: RAW, Post Processing & Printing

This might work for shipping but to pick the pictures up you need a membership to get into the store then they ask to see it again at the photo lab counter.

thedge wrote in post #15438740
This might work for shipping but to pick the pictures up you need a membership to get into the store then they ask to see it again at the photo lab counter.

Very true, I haven't ordered online with them before, I pick up in-store.

My closest is 68 miles one way. I guess I could make one trip, get a membership, upload/order from home, and get free delivery from that point on wards.

Do they have canvas prints, and if they do, is it as good as prints on paper?

alphamalex wrote in post #15457532
My closest is 68 miles one way. I guess I could make one trip, get a membership, upload/order from home, and get free delivery from that point on wards.

Do they have canvas prints, and if they do, is it as good as prints on paper?

They do have Canvas options but I dont think they do that in house. I have not ordered a canvas from them yet.

And for anyone's first time ordering...
"If you use Image> Mode / Convert to profile, uncheck the ICC profile box at the bottom when you File> "Save As".
Don't use fast upload.
Turn Autocorrect off. It's just before clicking on "Place Order" at the end.

Each store has their own profile, & they're updated about once a year. Mine does it in the Fall. Click on the locations at the left in: http://www.drycreekpho​to.com/Frontier/index.​html"

the above is very good advice from Photosguy!

I have been very please with Costco and if there is a problem; they will refund or try again

very easy company to work with

LV Moose wrote in post #15434778
I use Costco almost exclusively now. Tried Mpix, Shutterfly, Snapfish, and another lab similar to Mpix (can't remember the name).

Very nice work, quick, and a 15-minute drive for me.

The only issue I have with Costco, is... different printers for 4X6's and for larger prints, and they come out with slightly different tints. I guess I could download the different profiles for each printer, but I'm not real savvy about that kind of thing.

Hey, I think this is the first time in my life I've typed the word "savvy."

Very Important note regarding your 4x6 comment, the following is true for 2 different stores that I have been to.

4x6 images are printed on a specific machine, as you stated, and this machine REGARDLESS OF YOUR ONLINE DESIGNATION, does auto color correct. No matter whether or not you set "not to" online. There is zero they can or will do about it. I live in Vegas, but also had this problem in the Bay Area before I moved here. So now, I use premade print templates in lightroom to do 4x6 print runs.

Lastly, as a result of this nonsense, I thought I had to setup printer profiles, and turn icc profile off and all sorts of other elaborate garbage. THAT'S COMPLETELY UNTRUE!

Photoshop with defaults, and srgb workspace, I never ever ever ever ever ever had to mess with printer profile garbage to have colors come out right. Noting, I dont send picture from lightroom to Costco, because of the built in unchangeable aspects of Lightroom 3 and rgb (pro photo). I just MAKE SURE to turn "AUTO CORRECT OFF" as I finish my online order of prints.

How is their shipping prices?

I just got an order from snapfish, took a long time and cost $9. Walmart is cheaper, only about $3 for same $ amount of photos.

I just tried to order prints at cosco and they say I have to be a member which costs $55 or something. So much for that idea.