printing at costco

[PQpine413]

when i do the online printing, it asks me to fill in contact info such as name and phone number.
the membership belongs to my father, what if the name and number doesn't match the membership, will that give me a hassle?

Also, has anyone worked with their calibration to their printers? any tips?

trying to make a 12x18 print of this shot http://www.flickr.com/photos/rokchoi/4007573600/

i figure at 2.99, it's worth the try and see how the results are. comparatively the same sized print at shoppers is 10.99.

thanks in advance

[deep]

I have printed a few large pics at Costco, and I must admit, I never bothered with their calibration. They've come out great every time.

Are you trying to have it shipped to you? If not, I would put your father's contact information down.

[PQpine413]

I have printed a few large pics at Costco, and I must admit, I never bothered with their calibration. They've come out great every time.

Are you trying to have it shipped to you? If not, I would put your father's contact information down.

No, I'm going to go pick it up. I know they always have the right to say 'if it's not your membership then you can't use it' when I go pick up the photo. If the name doesn't match the card they'll refuse the sale. No big deal, just something to clear up ahead of time.

[deep]

"Oh, my dad just ran off to get some chicken while I grabbed my photos....do you want me to go get him and bring him to the counter?"

If yes, then exit, stage left. return later with father.

:)

[cuecas_red]

If you have your dad's card I don't think they will care. I was there last night getting some prints and they did not look at the picture on the card, they only scaned it. However when I put in the phone number it would have matched what is on my dad's account.

[PQpine413]

If you have your dad's card I don't think they will care. I was there last night getting some prints and they did not look at the picture on the card, they only scaned it. However when I put in the phone number it would have matched what is on my dad's account.

sounds good

now..the calibration? anyone tried?

[pcpchan]

There is a previous thread made on calibration or colour profile with regards to digital printing in general, if you search around. I am no expert in these but I do edit my photo in LR2. I just told the guy in costco no adjustment and the photo turns out great.

[ryan_lau100]

im assuming you are asking about the ICC profiles. Yes I've used them and no there isnt much difference between that and the normal sRGB I sent in. I've been more satisfied with Costco prints than any other consumer level lab. Make sure you tell them no corrections to any of the prints.

I've also used my phone number which never matched my mothers, but shes always picked them up for me so I guess it doesnt matter. They never once questioned the number vs whats on the card...

[SENSEI]

sounds good

now..the calibration? anyone tried?

I used to use Costco for all my prints using their latest ICC printer profiles. After going with other professional only photo labs, I've never used Costco anymore.

Costco's colors are off just enough to make a huge difference in larger prints and canvasses. My clients were able to spot there was something wrong compared to the proof I gave them.

For personal use and bulk printing, there is no better price than Costco. But for professional enlargements, photos being submitted into competition, custom canvas or gator board mounts, I find they don't come close to the professional standards at other labs.

[PQpine413]

I used to use Costco for all my prints using their latest ICC printer profiles. After going with other professional only photo labs, I've never used Costco anymore.

Costco's colors are off just enough to make a huge difference in larger prints and canvasses. My clients were able to spot there was something wrong compared to the proof I gave them.

For personal use and bulk printing, there is no better price than Costco. But for professional enlargements, photos being submitted into competition, custom canvas or gator board mounts, I find they don't come close to the professional standards at other labs.

what are some of the pro labs that you would recommend and what would you say the price difference would be?

if i were to do a b/w print at costco..would that eliminate all the color profile issues? anyone tried to make a large b/w print there?

thanks

[SENSEI]

Personally, I use GTA Photo now.
I think they will allow general public to print there.
I have a professional account with them as they also are the printers for Sandis Albums.

I've heard some good things about Pikto down in the Distillery, but find them over priced.

[joejoo]

I sell prints to my clients that I get done at my local Costco. I proof them using the Dry Creek profiles and couldn't be happier (neither could my clients).

I do protect the prints as well...

http://www.drycreekphoto.com/icc/Profiles/Canada_profiles.htm#CA

http://www.krylon.com/products/preserve_it_digital_photo_paper_protectant/

[ryan_lau100]

oh another thing... any photo > 12x18 is sent off site meaning it takes long and they use inks rather than chemicals so dont expect your 4x6s to look the same as the 16x20s

[SENSEI]

oh another thing... any photo > 12x18 is sent off site meaning it takes long and they use inks rather than chemicals so dont expect your 4x6s to look the same as the 16x20s

Agreed.

Their canvasses are printed in the US and shipped up. Takes about 4-6 weeks and they DO NOT use the same ICC profiles wherever they are printing them out of Canada. The profiles are not available for download AFAIK.

Even if you have the ICC profiles downloaded, most stores have multiple printers, so you need to request the FUJITSU printer specifically to match output.

[PQpine413]

oh another thing... any photo > 12x18 is sent off site meaning it takes long and they use inks rather than chemicals so dont expect your 4x6s to look the same as the 16x20s

so that means 12x18's are still done on site?

also, I personally prefer a matte finish. what are your experiences with glossy vs matte at costco?

[SENSEI]

so that means 12x18's are still done on site?

also, I personally prefer a matte finish. what are your experiences with glossy vs matte at costco?

Only some Costco's can print that large. You need to check with your specific Costco.

I prefer their matte finish if you're going to frame.
Their glossy prints appear "heavy" (not sure how to better describe it.)

[Jimbobs]

They mostly don't care as long as you have a card. I know because my photo is on the card with my wife's name :)

As for calibration etc. you can indicate under special instructions on envelope if you want anything done or not. Or discuss it with the person there and he/she will add the special instructions.

[kennyluo]

i have printed a photo that is larger than 12x18 at costco on ellesmere and warden and it was 1 hour service still, i assume that particular costco has the facilities to do larger prints than 12x18...

[adblink182]

matt finish each and every time.

[PQpine413]

so I put in an online order yesterday

I resized the photograph to exactly what is to be printed (12x18)..this came out to be about a 4mb file (smaller due to all the whites i have on my particular photo)

I unchecked their default option to auto correct the photo before the check out on the left side. Didn't get a chance to play with the ICC yet.

The colours came out fine with what I submitted. The location at Hwy7/Woodbine uses a Noritsu 3411 Pro printer. The paper that they used was 'Fujicolor Crystal Archive'. I talked to the guy at the desk for a bit and he suggested that if you're going to go larger than 12x18, the injet printer they use off site doesn't do as well as chemicals on the reds and the greens. so if you are planning to enlarge prints of your fall colors, that might not be the best idea.

@ 3.38 taxed in, the results are great for the price. I will need to do a side-by-side print from a professional lab to see the difference