Help me print my photos!

December 2, 2009 12:02 PM

My mom has mentioned wanting new photo portraits of me, my brother, and our dogs (her grand-dogs)--I know, kinda corny. But we thought that this would be a good idea for a Christmas present, so we went to the park over Thanksgiving and did a little photo shoot. What's the best way to get good quality prints of our digital pictures?

We're wanting to get a good quality, large print (around 16' by 20'), as well as some smaller (8' x 10', 4' x 6'). We also want a collage of several of the photos (but I don't know whether we want a "pre-printed" collage, or just a frame with several spots for different photos).

So anyway, we're trying to figure out where to get these printed. He's in West Texas, and I'm in the Bay Area. I'm thinking the easiest option would be to go through an online service (shutterfly, smugmug, etc.). Does anyone have experience with any of these services, or other similar online digital printers? Would you recommend using "brick and mortar" printers instead? And if so, do you have any recommendations in West Texas or the Bay Area?

Thanks!

posted by mingodingo to Media & Arts (11 answers total)

Best answer: I recommend MPIX.COM unreservedly. Fast, a wide selection of products, and high quality. As far as I can tell, they can't be beaten.
posted by pjern at 12:04 PM on December 2, 2009 [3 favorites]

Though their upload process is annoying as hell, I really like the prints from Ritz Pix.
posted by runningwithscissors at 12:05 PM on December 2, 2009

Walgreens has a very easy to use online photo service, and you can order the prints for delivery or for store pickup. I can't speak to photo quality for large prints, however, as I've only gotten 4x6s (but they have been good quality).
posted by audacity at 12:22 PM on December 2, 2009

Seconding MPIX. You can select different types of paper and finishes. I have been consistently happy with the quality--moreso than with Walgreens or CVS digital printing.
posted by Meg_Murry at 12:27 PM on December 2, 2009

Thirding MPIX. Love them. They do some kind of color correction on prints that makes them consistently way better than others. We have also ordered large prints, and "canvas" prints for the grandparents. They are wonderful.
posted by dpx.mfx at 12:39 PM on December 2, 2009

when i was a portrait studio manager, most of my customers couldn't say enough good things about Costco's printing/pricing
posted by nadawi at 1:11 PM on December 2, 2009

We use snapfish all the time for this. We like the quality of their pics, you can pick them up from Walgreens or have them mailed. They also make photo gifts, etc.
posted by bove at 1:25 PM on December 2, 2009

You won't find anything better than Mpix. Really.
posted by caution live frogs at 1:28 PM on December 2, 2009

MPIX
posted by imjustsaying at 2:05 PM on December 2, 2009

Nthing mpix.com. Fantastic quality and super fast shipping.

My local Walgreens always always always gets the color wrong.
posted by ellenaim at 2:55 PM on December 2, 2009

Response by poster: MPIX it is, then! Thanks for the help!
posted by mingodingo at 9:29 PM on December 2, 2009