Are you talking about the service where they mail you the pics, or the online upload and pickup? I've used both--usually the pickup but I've also used the the online/deliver method more than a few times. I'm still not an expert at prints (non-calibrated monitor, no print profiles, etc.), but I like them for some stuff because they're easy to use, generally fast, reasonable prices and if I remember correctly anything 8x10 and under is shipped free. The thing I didn't like was the last couple of times I got bent photos because their packaging isn't always the greatest and I've had really misaligned cuts like the top width of the pic was something like 1/8" to 1/4" different from the bottom width--it was really noticeable and screwed up any sort of framing/matting (this was an 8x10). The good thing was that they sent me new ones out right away, although I think those still came out bent. I haven't used them since then since I have a Costco close by. If I want something better I use MPix---their packaging is absolutely top notch and I love the metallic paper. I'll probably use the online Costco/deliver method again at some point, but it'll have to be something that is not really that important just in case it gets damaged. I did do 1 or 2 20x30 prints that came out good, although I think they still had a bent corner or two because they mail them loose in a tube unlike Mpix that mails even their 20x30's flat with lots of protection. Don't know how they'd send a large number of 20x30's. Hope that helps.
Mpix is great and boy they do wrap well. Very well! Prints are very nice as well. Got them printing out 3 photobooks for Christmas presents. Got a 16x20 poster done by them on metallic paper and it was freaking awesome looking and once again, it was protected big time!
You're the third person or so that mentions the metalic paper -- I've never heard of this but it sounds very odd to me... I'm looking to print a few images large (on 16*20 or 20*30 paper) like the ones below:
You're the third person or so that mentions the metalic paper -- I've never heard of this but it sounds very odd to me... I'm looking to print a few images large (on 16*20 or 20*30 paper) like the ones below:
In your opinion would these look good on the metalic paper? Or is this paper meant more for graphic arts the photographic prints?
Thanks for any feedback
I absolutely love the metallic paper. I don't know about the black and white (that sounds interesting, I may have to try that for fun), but I think that the Cuernos del Paine II photo would be great. You can order something small just to see how it would look since you've never seen the metallic before. The colors really pop with the metallic--my 20x30 poster looked really great and an 8x10 metallic I did last week looked great as well. I wouldn't order a bulk order without doing a test print first, though.
I would avoid costco online. I tried them about a year ago and had to send the prints back and recently gave them another chance mainly due to price, but they are bad.
Here's an animated gif of a crop from a set of 20x30 prints: http://xs321.xs.to/xs321/07463/psdif.gif
The difference in acuity is obvious. I sent the same file to both and I got back a great print from elco and crap from costco. Not only was their rip horrid, but their paper tracking was way off, (they trimmed 1/4" off three sides and 5/8" off the fourth making the print un-saleable.) The color of the costco print was also noticeably different than my calibrated monitors whereas elco was good.
The file I sent was 180ppi, so I might wager that if the file I sent to costco were 300ppi the resultant print sharpness might be better, but I'd still have trim and color issues.
Metallic, I think, would look good for the color photo and maybe for the b&w. For the b&w I might recommend adding more / adjusting local contrast to taste.
John P Mulgrew wrote:
Mpix is great and boy they do wrap well. Very well! Prints are very nice as well. Got them printing out 3 photobooks for Christmas presents. Got a 16x20 poster done by them on metallic paper and it was freaking awesome looking and once again, it was protected big time!
Not to mention... they are fast. Although I imagine they will begin to slow a little over the next couple of weeks due to volume. I recently submitted a very large order at around 1:30 CST. I chose overnight shipping (reasonable for $10) and the prints were on my door step the next afternoon.
