Costco, Adorama Pix, MPix?

My wife just came home with two 20x30 prints from Costco and they missed the mark! The contrast was not there and the colors were off a bit. Before we uploaded the images I even called and asked them what color space they wanted them in and they said 'RGB'. I said 'be more specific, there are different RGB's out there.' The girl says 'I just know it has to be RGB'. I knew I should have viewed that at as a Red Flag. But, I sent them in as Adobe RGB.

They don't look 'bad', but they are not the same as what I see on my monitor. I have had many images printed for framing, calendars, post cards, etc, and they have always been spot on with my monitor in the past. My normal print guy wants everything in CMYK, but that was not an option for Costco.

Any idea on which color space I should have used to get a better looking print?

TGrundvig wrote in post #12884395
Any idea on which color space I should have used to get a better looking print?

Probably sRGB.

René Damkot wrote in post #12886870
Probably sRGB.

That is what I am thinking too. You would think that they would have a system that would recognize the embedded color profile and not change it. Live and learn.

TGrundvig wrote in post #12887016
That is what I am thinking too. You would think that they would have a system that would recognize the embedded color profile and not change it. Live and learn.

Even if you checked "NO color correction"? That would sort of defeat the purpose, wouldn't it?

PhotosGuy wrote in post #12887545
Even if you checked "NO color correction"? That would sort of defeat the purpose, wouldn't it?

LOL, I just realized what I typed. What I meant was that you would think their software would recognized the embedded profile and make sure it prints correctly.

Guess I'll chime in. Don't comment often but usually lurk.

I've used CostCo (Austin, TX), WHCC, MPix, EZ-Print and Sam's (Knoxville).

My problem with WHCC is shipping. UPS damages my prints, then I have to call and get the prints re-done. I'm supposed to leave a box at front (the original images) for UPS to pick up which has me frigidity. WHCC does not allow mixing of paper types in the same order, or that has always been my understanding. Shipping is free for orders of $12 or more.

MPix allows me to mix paper types on a single order. I am fond of metallic paper as it adds a certain feel to my images. They do charge for shipping which has to be factored in.

Just used EZ-Print because I had a 12" x 36" panorama I wanted printed and could not get that else where easily. There is a problem right now with what I thought I was getting billed and what I saw on my CC. Will have to contact them to figure out what happened.

Sam's is okay. I use them when I'm in a rush but having to pay for the yearly membership is a bummer. My dislike for Sam's goes back to my days in Oklahoma and I won't bore you with those details. Just I don't care for Wal-Mart or Sam's and try to do as little business there as possible.

CostCo. What can I say? I LOVE CostCo. The shop in Austin was very well ran and the color was always good. They got to know me and my preferences and I never had a problem with them.

If you have a CostCo, want a membership, go with them. Don't go with them if you have no other reason for buying the membership. The same goes for Sam's. If you do business with them, then by all means try them. They all basically use the same type of processors. As long as they keep their systems clean and maintained, the results are good.

WHCC is good, especially if you do not have to mix paper types. Just be warned about shipping via UPS.

MPix has done well by me and I like them.

EZ-Print is also good for the one time I've used them. Will have to investigate to see how they stack up to MPix and WHCC.

Take care,

For prints form Costco I always specify "No Color Correction". I wont let them print posters. They have a border and the paper is not the same quality as their smaller prints. My regular lab (Exposure Manager) uses Fuji Professional paper for all enlargements and no borders. I have had customers who commented that my posters are like real photographs instead of a typical poster.

Knock wood, I guess I have just been lucky all these years. I have been buying mail order since the late 1970's, and I have never, not one time, had a product lost or damaged by UPS, FedEx or DHL. I've had a few boxes show up with some external damage, but never has the product inside been damaged.

I tried our local Sam's for some 8x10 prints. They were okay, and they were certainly inexpensive, so I guess I would say that if a person isn't being too picky, then they are fine.

I like doing as much of this stuff online as I can so that I don't have to drive to get the final product. I've also used a local shop quite a bit, and they have the option to have the prints shipped directly to the customer, so that's convenient too if a person likes doing it that way. They do charge for shipping though.

Used Adorama Pix this past week and I was pleasantly surprised at the turnaround time. Photos are acceptable as well. Thumbs up.

xcatcher wrote in post #12898023
Used Adorama Pix this past week and I was pleasantly surprised at the turnaround time. Photos are acceptable as well. Thumbs up.

Very happy to hear it!

Another good word for Adorama - used them and their metallic prints! Loved that so much that I didn't even go to a pharmacy chain's free 8x10 offer this weekend. The paper is nice and thick (all varieties) and their customer service is also awesome.

I do use Costco from time to time - especially for larger prints when I am trying to avoid shipping. I am pleasantly surprised by their 20x30 which I have done multiple there. The quality up close is not as good and I have found the customer service at time obnoxious. But 10$ for a 20x30 is a good bargain.

ps_n_dslr wrote in post #12899681
Another good word for Adorama - used them and their metallic prints! Loved that so much that I didn't even go to a pharmacy chain's free 8x10 offer this weekend. The paper is nice and thick (all varieties) and their customer service is also awesome.

Thank you; I passed your comments on to the team at the lab and I know they'll be delighted.