Online printing services give customers total control over which images they want to pay to print, as well as editing options like cropping and color correction. The best services also allow you to change print sizes and choose the medium you’d like to print on, like a standard gloss print, canvas, a personalized album, or even luggage tags and coffee mugs. It’s never been easier to create—or gift—your favorite pictures. We evaluated the best photo printing services based on several factors to help you choose the right option.
Pros & Cons
Overview
Formerly known as AdoramaPix, Printique has long been relied on by the pros to do the job right. This Brooklyn-based company with a national online presence offers the widest variety of paper stock printing options, including Kodak Endura in luster, glossy, matte, silk, and metallic finishes as well as Fuji Deep Matte. It also offers giclee fine art prints in low, medium, and heavy textures. Printique’s standard photo print sizes range from 3.5x5 to 12x36, with prices varying depending on the size and paper chosen. A 4x6 print on Kodak Endura luster paper starts at 31 cents, while a 12x36 on the same paper costs $17.84. Printique offers uploads from desktop, Google Photos, Flickr, Facebook, Instagram, Dropbox, and Lightroom, giving it a boost over similar competitors in terms of convenience. Printique’s editing software will flag a photo if its resolution is too low to print at the desired dimensions, which is a helpful feature for non-photo buffs. In addition, the website will suggest the appropriate dimensions if your first pick isn’t ideal.
Pros & Cons
Overview
When looking for an innovative way to display images and preserve moments, Artifact Uprising’s selection of custom-printed photo books, cards, and other specialty prints rise to the occasion. The brand is particularly known for its high-quality softcover photo books (from $17), hardcover photo books (from $72), and layflat photo albums (from $165). The brand’s user-friendly website makes it easy to create beautifully arranged photo books and albums. Its specialized editing software not only guides users through the process of uploading photos and organizing the books but also gives them the utmost creative control over aspects like layout and text. The brand’s style veers minimal, letting the photos shine through. Artifact Uprising offers its hardcover books in a variety of colors with the option of a full photo dust jacket or half photo dust jacket. The books are made with 100 percent recycled, 100-pound Mohawk Options paper that lends them a premium feel. Softcover books come with 100 percent recycled Mohawk Options paper in a matte finish.
Pros & Cons
Overview
Nations Photo Lab has cultivated a reputation as a go-to for beautifully printed photographs that are quickly delivered in packaging that stands up to the perils of shipping. For this reason, it’s an excellent choice for customers looking for frame-worthy prints of any size. This printing service allows customers to upload photos from their desktop in addition to Dropbox or Facebook, which gives it a leg up on similar photo printing services. It offers three different kinds of paper—luster, glossy, and metallic—in addition to metal prints, and the price per print varies depending on the paper. A 4x6 print on luster paper (which is akin to matte) is 32 cents, while a 20x30 runs $31.99. Prices are similar for glossy paper, at 37 cents for a 4x6 and $31.74 for a 20x30. Prices for the metallic paper (which provides a high gloss finish with chrome undertones) run higher, at 54 cents for a 4x6 and $38.35 for a 20x30. Nations Photo Lab doesn’t have the number of editing choices that other sites do. The editor offers an option for color correction but doesn’t give the customer control over the outcome. However, this printing service is a great choice for photographers who do their own editing to receive high-resolution prints at an affordable price. In addition to simple prints, Nations also offers photo books, cards, and ornamental printing on objects like keychains, luggage tags, coasters, and more.
Pros & Cons
Overview
Mpix is reliable for producing quality prints ordered from a desktop, but it sets itself apart with its Mpix Tap to Print app, which as of December 2020 has 4.8 stars based on more than 19,000 ratings in Apple’s App Store. The app is best suited for standard prints, as it doesn’t compromise any of the services that Mpix offers on its website (like the ability to rotate, crop, and color-correct photos or create customized products). The app is easy to navigate, especially when it comes to laying out different paper goods. It allows users to visualize what photographs will look like on different card templates and photo books before committing to a particular layout. When it comes to printing from the mobile app, existing Mpix users can pull photos from their already-uploaded galleries. Customers can also choose to upload images from Dropbox, Facebook, or OneDrive in addition to their camera roll. Mpix has also gained notoriety among the quality-obsessed for its sturdy shipping that ensures no bent corners or kinks in the prints.
Pros & Cons
Overview
Snapfish, a subsidiary of the equally well-known photo printing site Shutterfly, has built its brand on providing reasonably priced prints and easy online photo sharing. Standard prints start at 9 cents for a 4x6 with the option of glossy or matte paper. Its largest print offering, 20x30, is $21.99 unframed. All told, prints from Snapfish are far less pricey than more premium photo printing services like Printique. Snapfish only offers one kind of paper with two different finishes (matte and glossy) for simple prints, which may contribute to the site’s lower price point. It doesn’t have the same kind of quality as other brands, but it passes muster as a provider of printed memories. Snapfish also makes it easy to upload and share photographs digitally with its online galleries. The photo packaging has had its share of detractors online due to reports of damaged products upon delivery, but the brand offers some support in getting replacements or refunds.
Guide to Choosing the Best Photo Printing Service
It’s likely that multiple photo printing services may suit your needs. When choosing the right option for you, consider the following factors:
Price per print Quality of prints Photo paper options Photo finishes Types of gifts and décor Uploading options On-site or in-app editing capabilities Average shipping time Shipping cost Quality of item packaging Automatic resolution suggestions Photo previews on products
Compare the Best Photo Printing Services
How Do Professional Photographers Print Their Photos?
Many professional photographers invest in high-quality printers to print photos themselves. Otherwise, they may print via trusted local printing companies or through top-rated online printing services.
Who Are Photo Printing Services Good For?
Photo printing services are great for those who want a tangible keepsake in a photograph rather than a digital photo. They also make sharing photographs with those who are less technologically inclined easier. Printing services are wonderful for gifting personalized items and remembering special moments.
How Much Do Photo Printing Services Charge?
As a general rule of thumb, the larger the print, the more expensive it will be. Photo printing services charge different rates based on the photo paper, finish, print size, and any other special options (like custom framing, printing on canvas, or creating personalized gifts). Common prices for a standard 8x10 photo print range from about $2 to $20, while larger print sizes like 20x30 may cost between $20 and $50. Special products have significantly higher prices: A standard photo album typically costs around $150, while personalized gifts often range between $10 and $50.
Methodology
To find the best photo printing services, we placed emphasis on brands with a robust online presence to ensure that they serve a large geographic range. We researched many photo printing sites and strove to include brands that covered a variety of services and price points.
