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What's the Best Way to Print My Digital Pictures?

If you’re like me, you have digital pictures coming out of your ears! I’m afraid my pack rat endearing qualities have followed me into my computer organization as well. I’m the type of person who takes 16 shots of the same pose of the kids – hoping that one will be an award winning photo. Do I delete all the bad ones after I found the best one (if there is a best one)? No, I might want to remember those stressful moments trying to get them both to smile and look at the camera at the same time — before they weasel away somewhere else!

Ok, I’ve digressed. The question is, what is the best way to print my digital pictures? Well, there are two main ways, the home method and the developer method.

HOME METHOD

You can buy a nice picture printer and good picture paper and print your own pics at home. I have some friends who do this and are quite happy about it. Here are some pro’s and cons:

pro’s:
  • very convenient, you print whenever you’d like
  • possibility of better touched-up photos as you’re likely to spend more time touching them up before you print
  • print one or many – doesn’t matter, you can do it anytime
cons:
  • if you run out of paper or ink, you can’t print anything
  • can be costly to replenish the print cartridges and paper. Pictures use up a lot of ink
  • there’s a learning curve in using the software to touch-up your photos and printing them
  • when you have a paper jam or other printer complications, there’s no one around to help
  • there can be wierd lines or blemishes on the printed picture that does not appear on the screen
  • without the best coordination of a good printer, good paper, and plenty of ink, the quality of your pictures can be less than optimal
DEVELOPER METHOD

The Developer method is no stranger to us. This is the way we used to dvelope our 35mm film. However now, developers use very expensive and well-maintained equipment to process digital photos. There are two methods to get your photos to the developer. 1.) bring in your photos on a memory card or CD and 2.) send your photos to the developer via their website. We will discuss the benefits of using a developer’s online site later in this blog.

pro’s:

  • picture quality is typically better
  • cheaper method to print your pics
  • no printer is needed
  • can use your photos to make all sorts of neat things like greeting cards, pictures on mugs, books, blankets, etc.
  • a developer’s website is open 24 hours a day – send in your order anytime
  • almost any store can develop pictures now – warehouse clubs, grocery stores, pharmacies
cons:
  • not nearly as convenient – you need to plan your trip to the developer
  • sometimes you need to wait while other customers are being assisted
  • if you use a memory card, thre store’s machine can be confusing
  • sometimes the memory card gets jammed or the machine can’t read it
  • if you use a memory card, you have to either wait or go back to the store to pick up the photos. Most photos take one hour to process

My Squeeze On It

So you see, both methods have their advantages and drawbacks. For me, sending my pictures online to a warehouse club is the best route. I use either Sam’s Club or Costco. Their prices are very closely matched with the cost of one 4×6 costs a mere 13 cents. The price has dramatically dropped from the 19 cents from a couple of years ago. For enlargements, Sam’s Club tends to be cheaper, but only by pennies for 5×7’s (38 cents) and 8×10’s ($1.42) yet Costco is cheaper for the larger sizes such as a 16×20 ($5.99) and 20×30 ($8.99).

Most of us only belong to just one warehouse club so regardless of which club you belong to, you can feel comfortable knowing you’re getting a good deal at either one.

So dig those photos out of your computer and get them printed, they are just waiting to be seen!



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