Aspect Ratios are Correct, yet Developers Still Crop?

I've read a few threads pertaining to similar questions, but I'm hoping to solicit a more quantitative response, if possible.

I'm aware that if my camera outputs a 2x3 ratio image, this would be the perfect ratio to develop in 4x6" prints. However, if I want a proper 5x7" print, it is best to adjust the ratio on my image before giving the digital media to the developer.

My question is this: even if I am creating the correct ratio, are you folks experiencing that they still crop the image? This has been my experience at Walmart and Costco, and it's frustrating to say the least. I like to shoot with close crops, so no pixels are lost during PP cropping. However, if I need to print these later, essential elements tend to get cropped out.

Is there a quantitative way to anticipate how much the developer will crop an image that already has a correct aspect ratio? I'm thinking of adding a white border around each image I need printed, if it has a tight crop. I'm just trying to figure out exactly how much border to add.

I'm trying to make 2x3" prints on 4x6" (as in leave LOTS of border), and also some 5x7" prints. My concern with the 2x3" is that, even if I do my calculations correctly, the 2x3" areas will end up slightly larger than I want them to be because of the magnification effect of the crop.

I hope this makes sense. Sorry for being so long-winded. I'd greatly appreciate any input, as I'm preparing some frames to use as gifts

Tim

Yeah some print labs "bleed" the image 3mm or 1/8" around the border. I also find the very annoying.

Thanks for your quick reponse, byso. Is there anyone else that can confirm the 3mm bleed? TIA

The only way to make a borderless print is to bleed the borders a bit and trim it. The amount that gets cropped off varies. If you're curious, take a picture of a ruler, or perhaps two measuring tapes, one going each direction. Then order the print. By comparing the print to the original image and doing some math, you can figure out how much trimming to expect.

I totally hate this. I give the lab a 1200px x 1800px image, and lose at least one edge all the time.

I make little event cards to hand out i just make a little announcement, then cram 2-4 of them on a 4x6 and have the one hour lab print me like 50 of them. it turns out like a little business card, but quick and tailored to the event at hand.

I did tell them last time to not use their "auto size" and "auto correct" functions, and just print it "as is" the results were better but not perfect. That is ok, because i am using a photo lab to do "brochures"...

If you do bleed it, i would use a color... they tend to blow up white and black edges to fill the frame with the picture. make it like a green, blue or something, and just trim it off.

My local 1hour charges more for a 2x3 wallet than they do for a 4x6... so i put (4) 2x3s on a 4x6 and do the cutting myself.

good luck.

My local Sams Club uses Fuji Frontier printers & will "crop" if not told to not crop. I also use a colored background on 4x6's when laying up 2.5"x3.5" wallet prints. This does seem to help some.

www.drycreekphoto.com has recommendations for some Costco stores. Check them out.

We have had a lot of issues with Costco cropping images. Next time you go ask them for their "specs". Our Costco gave us a cheat sheet with the exact pixels, rather than inches to make images before sending them. There is also a box to check before ordering to turn off the autocorrect feature.

All that being said, we still have some issue with objects close to the edge of photos developed at Costco. We seem to have less issue ordering from mpix, but they are a little more expensive and you have to wait to get your pics...