Online Digital Photo Printing
From LoveToKnow Online
Online digital photo printing perfectly bridges the gap between up-to-the-minute technology and old-fashioned keepsake. You can store thousands of digital photos on your computer, create CDs and slideshows and email your favorite shots to friends and family, but sometimes you want a picture you can hold in your hands and frame.
Online Digital Photo Printing Options
While the quality of home printers improves every year, it can still be difficult to match the gloss and durability of professionally-printed pictures. Yet it can be time-consuming and expensive to use digital photo printing machines at local stores.
Home Delivery
Here are just a few of the online digital photo printing possibilities:
- Clark users can upload photos to organize and share online. Clark also offers mail-in processing of traditional film with the option of having your pictures available online. Photos are stored online for 60 days
- With the Kodak Easy Share Gallery, formerly Ofoto, you can create albums and slideshows, share photos with the click of a button and order quality Kodak prints of any image.
- Snapfish allows you to upload digital photos from your camera or phone, or you can email them to the company. Once you've uploaded photos, you can store and share them for free and order prints and gifts. Affiliated with Hewlett-Packard, the site even offers live help through a chat feature.
- Shutterfly seems to have a larger focus on the special products you can create with your images, including cards, calendars and photo books, while still offering standard digital photo sharing and printing services.
- York has been providing mail-order photo processing for years, and now they've entered the digital age. Like the other sites, they offer free picture sharing and photo tools, and like Clark, they still offer mail-in film processing for traditional film.
In-Store Pickup
Several stores offer online digital photo printing for in-store pickup. You visit the store's website, upload pictures, select your print options, and the photos will be printed at the store for you to purchase on your next visit. Using in-store pickup isn't quite as convenient as having photos delivered to your door, but it still saves time and effort. You'll never again have to wait in line for the one digital photo machine at your local store. You can select and manipulate your photos at your convenience on your own computer. You'll also save shipping costs and receive your pictures a few days sooner if time is an issue. Visit the website of your local retailer like Walgreen's or Meijer to see if this service is available in your area.
Digital Printing Possibilities
When you use online digital photo printing, you're not limited to creating the standard 4x6 print. Order wallet-sized shots to pass out to all your friends and family, order a 16x20 poster, so you can see your family from the far reaches of the living room, or pick something in-between, like the classic 8x10 print. Mix and match your online orders to create a custom package just right for your needs.
Some sites also offer products with photos printed on them, including the standard mugs, t-shirts, and greeting cards. If you're looking for a more exotic option, have your favorite photo stitched into a tapestry throw or etched into a crystal paperweight. One of the latest products taking advantage of the popularity of digital photos is personalized postage stamps, legal for use on US mail.
Compare Prices
One of the best things about the diversity of online digital photo printing available is the potential to shop around and find the best deal for you and your picture printing needs. Check for introductory offers and coupon codes. One site may have the best price on small orders of 8x10s, but another site has great deals on bulk quantities of wallet-sized photos. It pays to compare, and fortunately, a few websites have already done the groundwork for you.
- Online Photo Printing Reviews - CNET, a leading technology products site, provides a detailed comparison of more than 40 digital photo printing websites. Separate reviews consider each site's usefulness for casual and pro photographers.
- Digital Photo Printing Comparison Chart - BestWebBuys has compiled a straightforward chart comparing the rates, specials and shipping costs of over two dozen sites specializing in digital printing.
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