Do you print your own or use a lab?

I am on the verge of buying a photo printer and I am interested in seeing how many people print their own photos.

While labs are cheaper - printing your own gives you instant feedback and more control.

What do you use and why? I am not looking for MPIX vs. Costco or Canon vs. Epson - more on the operational theory behind you going one route over the other.

I searched this thread a bit and couldn't find another one like this, so forgive me if this is a duplicate.

Costco... Great quality (for at least the two local stores I have tried). Consistent. Soft-proofing is a plus. They are cheap as well.
You know my situations and views on this... Then again, you also know there are times when a printer is appealing.. I don't know. I will just sit back and see where your thread goes mate!

ALSO.. something to think about... (Not that it necessarily affects you.)
http://www.nytimes.com …05print.html?re​f=circuits

I print my own for small runs and small prints, and use a lab for large runs and for larger prints than my printers can print.

Print my own with an ipf5000. Love the control from click to print.

Print anything up to A4 in size on my current printer (Epson R800) but I'm hoping to upgrade to an Epson Pro 3800 as soon as I can find a place big enough for it.

I use Costco - as well as being cheap, the results are really consistent. Plus, you can download printer profiles from http://www.drycreekpho​to.com/ - though I haven't, as the results are so good anyway.

Print my own up to 13X19....outsource for anything larger

I guess Both would fall under other.

I print smaller shots, snapshots, and stuff I need quickly at home. Otherwise it goes to Costco.

I print my own 4x6 prints, I use Costco.com for my 12x18 prints and I use Mpix/WHCC for anything larger.

I chose Other because I use both also.

For quick photos I want to share, I print at home. (Canon IP4300)
For large batches of photos, or where I have more time, I'll use lab. (costco, usually).

It's just more economical, IMO, and you don't have to wait for ink to dry. Although printing at home can be fun sometimes.

i print my own on the r1800 now.

now that i understand how to use softproofing i will probably use MPIX for large orders and my printer for small ones...and depends on my ink levels.

I use Millers/Mpix. My volume is such that printing at home would not be cost effective. And "Wally World" isn't even a consideration. They suck.

I print dozens of 4x6's and several 13x19's myself on an i9900 I got relatively cheap.

I use RGB in Middlesboro as they've forgotten more about printing than I'll ever know, bend over backwards to meet my ridiculous demands, and are really nice people to boot.

R Hardman wrote in post #3334479
Print my own with an ipf5000. Love the control from click to print.

Ditto