Amazed by Costco's Printing

I used Costco's printing services for the first time last week and was amazed by the prints. I normally used Walgreens (I know they suck, but for small wall collage stuff it worked), I had used Shutterfly one time (had 101 free 4x6's). I wanted to do a collage of my best landscapes in our living room, I started by pricing out Walgreens 11x14's but there was no way I was gonna be able to print everything I wanted at their price ($9.99). I then priced out Mpix and Bay, both were much better in pricing with good shipping options. However someone said I should check out Costco first. At $2.99 for a 11x14 I figured I could not go wrong.

So my order consisted of 26 prints ranging from 5x7 to 20x30 (was only $9.99). My total was only $65.00 for the entire order and was ready the next day.

Got them home and was amazed by the quality even of the 20x30. I shoot with a T3 and kit lens so I was not sure how something this large would turn out. And all the others looked so much better in the larger sizes compared to some of the smaller copies I had made in the past. I edit on a laptop with no calibration, I check off the color correct box when uploading as well.

All I can say is if you have a Costco near by and have not tried them your missing out. It has opened a whole new world of printing for me.

Littlejon Dsgn wrote in post #15434428
I used Costco's printing services for the first time last week and was amazed by the prints.

I keep telling you guys! ; )

Same price for a 12 X 18", & you can put a lot of 5 X 7"s on one if you're willing to cut them out after.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #15434474
I keep telling you guys! ; ) Same price for a 12 X 18", & you can put a lot of 5 X 7"s on one if you're willing to cut them out after.

Yup you do and I listened this time

Did not think about placing smaller images on a larger sheet via photoshop or similar, Thanks for that. There smaller stuff 4x6, 5x7's are about the same as Walgreens but much better quality. Yup and had a few 12x18's done as well. Even a few 8x8's and 12x12's. I like square prints Tons of options amazing prices and quality

How does their process work, do you drop of a disc and come back, or do they have kiosks where you can plug in a card, select, crop, etc?

bsmotril wrote in post #15434609
How does their process work, do you drop of a disc and come back, or do they have kiosks where you can plug in a card, select, crop, etc?

In the past, I've sent digitals via the Costco website. So far, I've only done small prints 4x6, 5x7, and one 8x10 and I have to say I was very pleased with both the price and the print quality. I'm hoping to send over some larger prints.

bsmotril wrote in post #15434609
How does their process work, do you drop of a disc and come back, or do they have kiosks where you can plug in a card, select, crop, etc?

Not sure, I did it all at 2am while in my PJ's watching a movie lol. Did all my editing and cropping via lightroom then exported and uploaded via Costco's website (you will need your Costco card number to complete). When I picked them up I did not see any Kiosks like Walgreens has.

I prefer to do all that from home, then just walk in and pick up no matter where I am printing.

My closest Costco is 50 miles away...

CameraMan wrote in post #15434639
My closest Costco is 50 miles away...

They offer shipping.

CameraMan wrote in post #15434639
My closest Costco is 50 miles away...

Mine too.

Kronie wrote in post #15434717
Mine too.

They'll offer shipping to you too!

CraigPatterson wrote in post #15434737
They'll offer shipping to you too!

No they dont actually, I am not a member.

Lately I have been using EZ Prints for my photos. I was started using them for Pano's but they are the cheapest out there (Well, not cheaper then Costco) They have an ICC profile to soft proof and the prints look just as good as other online labs like Mpix or Costco.

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."

LV Moose wrote in post #15434778
Hey, I think this is the first time in my life I've typed the word "savvy."

Liberating?

SullyMass wrote in post #15434808
Liberating?

Almost orgasmic!

Kronie wrote in post #15434770
No they dont actually, I am not a member.

Lately I have been using EZ Prints for my photos. I was started using them for Pano's but they are the cheapest out there (Well, not cheaper then Costco) They have an ICC profile to soft proof and the prints look just as good as other online labs like Mpix or Costco.

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?