5 X 7 Prints from Sams Club

I just joined Sams Club to print my 1st Digital wedding pictures & as I had read somewhere that 5 X 7 cost around 49cents but was surprised to find after giving some 370 prints that it will cost 69 cents & the fuji frontier does not print & cut exact 5 x 7. All prints have half inch white on the length side.Actual print is 5x7 but the paper size is 7x5.15/16

The lady had to trim both white sides of the print. I am having second thought if it would have been cheaper to print myself on my epson 7600

with ultrachrome ink. At 69cents a print I wonder if it is worth driving some 15 miles or will it be cheaper to print in house! Please any advise.
Thanks
Ajay Madan

4x6" is usually the inexpensive price point.
5x7" usually costs substantially more.

The prices I see on the web

http://www.samsphotoclub.com/personality/help/7.asp#3

are 24c for 4x6 and 89c for 5x7

Ajay Madan said:

I just joined Sams Club to print my 1st Digital wedding pictures &
as I had read somewhere that 5 X 7 cost around 49cents but was
surprised to find after giving some 370 prints that it will cost 69
cents & the fuji frontier does not print & cut exact 5 x 7. All
prints have half inch white on the length side.Actual print is 5x7
but the paper size is 7x5.15/16
The lady had to trim both white sides of the print. I am having
second thought if it would have been cheaper to print myself on my
epson 7600
with ultrachrome ink. At 69cents a print I wonder if it is worth
driving some 15 miles or will it be cheaper to print in house!
Please any advise.
Thanks
Ajay Madan

Click to expand...

In store the 4x6 at Sams is 20 cents, 5x7 is 69 cents. Having just printed both I see little need to go for a 5x7. I think an 8x10 was under $2 and looked pretty good.

The 20 cent 4x6 has become my workhorse. Since it's less than a mile from my house I can get a few printed cheaper and faster than at home.

5x7 I'll probably do here from now on.

Fred

Fred Rose said:

In store the 4x6 at Sams is 20 cents, 5x7 is 69 cents. Having just
printed both I see little need to go for a 5x7. I think an 8x10
was under $2 and looked pretty good.

The 20 cent 4x6 has become my workhorse. Since it's less than a
mile from my house I can get a few printed cheaper and faster than
at home.

5x7 I'll probably do here from now on.

Fred

Click to expand...

I have tried Sams a couple times. Sometimes the Aladin machine and there computer wont see my images. There are done on PS 7 and PS6 sometimes. I have save it as Adobe RGB 1998 and sRGB.

I would appreciate any help from some of you that has being able to work with Sam's
JPD

Hi Ajay - I do not understand why companies try to punish people for buying larger print sizes, especially as I run an online processing company. The difference in raw material cost between a 4x6 and a 5x7 is pretty marginal: the latter is 46% bigger than the former - this would make you think it would only be about half as expensive again compared to a 4x6, but apparently not! Anyway, we print them for 29c each at http://www.bonusprint.com/us if you are still interested. Regards - Anthony

Ajay Madan said:

I just joined Sams Club to print my 1st Digital wedding pictures &
as I had read somewhere that 5 X 7 cost around 49cents but was
surprised to find after giving some 370 prints that it will cost 69
cents & the fuji frontier does not print & cut exact 5 x 7. All
prints have half inch white on the length side.Actual print is 5x7
but the paper size is 7x5.15/16
The lady had to trim both white sides of the print. I am having
second thought if it would have been cheaper to print myself on my
epson 7600
with ultrachrome ink. At 69cents a print I wonder if it is worth
driving some 15 miles or will it be cheaper to print in house!
Please any advise.
Thanks
Ajay Madan

Click to expand...

Jason P Diaz said:

Jason P Diaz said:

Fred

Click to expand...

I have tried Sams a couple times. Sometimes the Aladin machine and
there computer wont see my images. There are done on PS 7 and PS6
sometimes. I have save it as Adobe RGB 1998 and sRGB.
I would appreciate any help from some of you that has being able to
work with Sam's
JPD

Click to expand...

Jason,

I've never had a problem and I've taken them hundreds of files.

Are you sure you're saving them as jpg? They can't read psd or tif.

Fred

Their CDROM's have issues sometimes . I am not sure why... but I have taught the local Sams to use the CD Burner as an input drive (Just load it through there. The program says, "Can't Find Disk" (or similar), so hit the BROWSE button and cruise on over to the CD Burner drive.

99.9% of the time the CD burner can read your disk just fine.

I have never had our local Sam's successfully print a B&W saved TIF file, compressed or not. It looks like a psychadelic painting.

If you have a "good" set of people working that lab (we are blessed in Evansville - the manager of the lab shoots for me sometimes - saved my butt Thu and Fri they will really help you out. I think ours has more business from Pros than "regular" customers.

Our manager's regional manager tells me that they will have a way to upload your photos over internet and pick up locally. She said that it was testing around the Arkansas area now. That would help tremendously.

BTW - the Frontier just ditches the profile info, so don't worry about saving the image w/ICC info. I suppose ICC could be confusing things.

-- Tim

Fred Rose said:

Fred Rose said:

Fred Rose said:

Fred

Click to expand...

I have tried Sams a couple times. Sometimes the Aladin machine and
there computer wont see my images. There are done on PS 7 and PS6
sometimes. I have save it as Adobe RGB 1998 and sRGB.
I would appreciate any help from some of you that has being able to
work with Sam's
JPD

Click to expand...

Jason,

I've never had a problem and I've taken them hundreds of files.

Are you sure you're saving them as jpg? They can't read psd or tif.

Fred

Click to expand...

Our Sams charges 20 cents on 4x6, 75 cents on 5x7. Also, I am sure your company does not have free shipping, so you need to add that to your price before you start comparing yourself to a local Sams lab.

There is more work printing the 5x7, as it has to be trimmed with the equipment they are using. The 4x6 is fully automatic, cut by the machine. The actual cost to make a print is more like 6 cents for 4x6 and 11 cents+labor for 5x7 trimming.

I don't think it is an issue of punishing: it is an issue of volume. A lab can make money with using one trained employee on an automated machine all day making 4x6. But to start hand trimming photos also, requires more labor and a break from the routine. Then, 8x10's require a paper swap, consuming more time and labor in the case of using ONE machine.

Anthony Ward said:

Ajay Madan said:

I just joined Sams Club to print my 1st Digital wedding pictures &
as I had read somewhere that 5 X 7 cost around 49cents but was
surprised to find after giving some 370 prints that it will cost 69
cents & the fuji frontier does not print & cut exact 5 x 7. All
prints have half inch white on the length side.Actual print is 5x7
but the paper size is 7x5.15/16
The lady had to trim both white sides of the print. I am having
second thought if it would have been cheaper to print myself on my
epson 7600
with ultrachrome ink. At 69cents a print I wonder if it is worth
driving some 15 miles or will it be cheaper to print in house!
Please any advise.
Thanks
Ajay Madan

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Dear MisterGuru - if I may politely direct you to Ajay's original message, he was questioning whether it was reasoable to be asked to pay $255 for some 5x7 photo printing rather than print at home. If you include our shipping cost of $1.99, we would charge him $109.29, a saving of $145 and well under half price. Agfa d-labs do not require trimming of prints. I don't think I'm missing anything, but I am always happy to stand corrected. Regards - Anthony

MisterGuru said:

There is more work printing the 5x7, as it has to be trimmed with
the equipment they are using. The 4x6 is fully automatic, cut by
the machine. The actual cost to make a print is more like 6 cents
for 4x6 and 11 cents+labor for 5x7 trimming.

I don't think it is an issue of punishing: it is an issue of
volume. A lab can make money with using one trained employee on an
automated machine all day making 4x6. But to start hand trimming
photos also, requires more labor and a break from the routine.
Then, 8x10's require a paper swap, consuming more time and labor in
the case of using ONE machine.

Anthony Ward said:

Ajay Madan said:

I just joined Sams Club to print my 1st Digital wedding pictures &
as I had read somewhere that 5 X 7 cost around 49cents but was
surprised to find after giving some 370 prints that it will cost 69
cents & the fuji frontier does not print & cut exact 5 x 7. All
prints have half inch white on the length side.Actual print is 5x7
but the paper size is 7x5.15/16
The lady had to trim both white sides of the print. I am having
second thought if it would have been cheaper to print myself on my
epson 7600
with ultrachrome ink. At 69cents a print I wonder if it is worth
driving some 15 miles or will it be cheaper to print in house!
Please any advise.
Thanks
Ajay Madan

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I remember reading on this forum a while ago that it is important to have a .jpg file extension after the filenames or the Aladdin might not see the files - but I'm no techie! Anthony

MisterGuru said:

99.9% of the time the CD burner can read your disk just fine.

I have never had our local Sam's successfully print a B&W saved TIF
file, compressed or not. It looks like a psychadelic painting.

If you have a "good" set of people working that lab (we are blessed
in Evansville - the manager of the lab shoots for me sometimes -
saved my butt Thu and Fri they will really help you out. I
think ours has more business from Pros than "regular" customers.

Our manager's regional manager tells me that they will have a way
to upload your photos over internet and pick up locally. She said
that it was testing around the Arkansas area now. That would help
tremendously.

BTW - the Frontier just ditches the profile info, so don't worry
about saving the image w/ICC info. I suppose ICC could be
confusing things.

-- Tim

Fred Rose said:

MisterGuru said:

MisterGuru said:

Fred

Click to expand...

I have tried Sams a couple times. Sometimes the Aladin machine and
there computer wont see my images. There are done on PS 7 and PS6
sometimes. I have save it as Adobe RGB 1998 and sRGB.
I would appreciate any help from some of you that has being able to
work with Sam's
JPD

Click to expand...

Jason,

I've never had a problem and I've taken them hundreds of files.

Are you sure you're saving them as jpg? They can't read psd or tif.

Fred

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I was explaining that they were not punishing anyone for a large print size. That was the only thing you stated I took exception with. I think it is just a case of extra time/labor for a lesser demanded product. The Fuji 370 they use here in Evansville definitely requires trimming on all 5x7's.

I did make a statement about your shipping charges when comparing you to Sams. I should not have: you serve different markets. He will save money with you but get immediate prints at Sams. The price of immediacy

I, however, spent the entire day printing 200+ shots and wrestling with BAD inkjet carts. The new style from IJG. Thank God they are sending the old ones to replace them free. I should have went to Sams

I ran through at least 20 deep cleaning cycles today... my lord!

Anthony Ward said:

MisterGuru said:

There is more work printing the 5x7, as it has to be trimmed with
the equipment they are using. The 4x6 is fully automatic, cut by
the machine. The actual cost to make a print is more like 6 cents
for 4x6 and 11 cents+labor for 5x7 trimming.

I don't think it is an issue of punishing: it is an issue of
volume. A lab can make money with using one trained employee on an
automated machine all day making 4x6. But to start hand trimming
photos also, requires more labor and a break from the routine.
Then, 8x10's require a paper swap, consuming more time and labor in
the case of using ONE machine.

Anthony Ward said:

Ajay Madan said:

I just joined Sams Club to print my 1st Digital wedding pictures &
as I had read somewhere that 5 X 7 cost around 49cents but was
surprised to find after giving some 370 prints that it will cost 69
cents & the fuji frontier does not print & cut exact 5 x 7. All
prints have half inch white on the length side.Actual print is 5x7
but the paper size is 7x5.15/16
The lady had to trim both white sides of the print. I am having
second thought if it would have been cheaper to print myself on my
epson 7600
with ultrachrome ink. At 69cents a print I wonder if it is worth
driving some 15 miles or will it be cheaper to print in house!
Please any advise.
Thanks
Ajay Madan

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Hello. I came to research a solution in this forum as my Sams is about to drive me crazy. Their machines put out awesome work, but EVERY major photographer in the area is using the lab. I mean ALL the top names. I am small fry compared to some of the well known names. The problem is that the lab is NOT handeling it well at all. The Kiosk is ALWAYS busy with some lady scanning 100 pictures! I am litterally reading a Photoshop Tip book while I wait for my orderes, even after giving them ample time, etc.

MisterGuru said:

There is more work printing the 5x7, as it has to be trimmed with

Click to expand...

I would accept that, if we got 5x7s that were trimmed. Ours gives us the 5x7s UNTRIMMED. I don't want to make a stink about it, but it certainly takes from my time when I have to get back to the office and trim them myself.

My question is what to do about depending on Sams. I want to be able to take large orders to them, like 300-4x6s. But for my small orders, like a proof of 50 shots from a wedding shoot, is killing me to have to use Sams. At the same time, I want to find a solution to printing larger than 8x10. I know they are capable of 10x15, but they don't, at least not yet.

So on one hand, I need something that will let me print limited runs of 4x6s, but I would also like to be able to print 11x14s. And I would like whatever I get to match Smas printer for when I do use them. I sure don't want to have to fight with inkjet cards not working.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!!!

Drew
http://www.pbase.com/lokerd

Hi Drew - my company only prints up to 8x10, but for smaller sizes doing this online from the comfort of your own home should be ideal. We use Agfa d-labs so there will be a different result from Sam's Fuji Frontiers. Anthony

Drew Loker said:

MisterGuru said:

There is more work printing the 5x7, as it has to be trimmed with

Click to expand...

I would accept that, if we got 5x7s that were trimmed. Ours gives
us the 5x7s UNTRIMMED. I don't want to make a stink about it, but
it certainly takes from my time when I have to get back to the
office and trim them myself.

My question is what to do about depending on Sams. I want to be
able to take large orders to them, like 300-4x6s. But for my small
orders, like a proof of 50 shots from a wedding shoot, is killing
me to have to use Sams. At the same time, I want to find a solution
to printing larger than 8x10. I know they are capable of 10x15, but
they don't, at least not yet.

So on one hand, I need something that will let me print limited
runs of 4x6s, but I would also like to be able to print 11x14s. And
I would like whatever I get to match Smas printer for when I do use
them. I sure don't want to have to fight with inkjet cards not
working.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!!!

Drew
http://www.pbase.com/lokerd

Click to expand...

Jason P Diaz said:

Fred Rose said:

In store the 4x6 at Sams is 20 cents, 5x7 is 69 cents. Having just
printed both I see little need to go for a 5x7. I think an 8x10
was under $2 and looked pretty good.

The 20 cent 4x6 has become my workhorse. Since it's less than a
mile from my house I can get a few printed cheaper and faster than
at home.

5x7 I'll probably do here from now on.

Fred

Click to expand...

I have tried Sams a couple times. Sometimes the Aladin machine and
there computer wont see my images. There are done on PS 7 and PS6
sometimes. I have save it as Adobe RGB 1998 and sRGB.
I would appreciate any help from some of you that has being able to
work with Sam's
JPD

Click to expand...

Sams wont read some of my images.
The latest I took a 4x6 image, Saved on PS7 jpeg, PS6 jpg, plus a tiff image.
Also save it as Adobe RGB 1998 and sRGB. save it as 12, & 8.
The Kiosk "Aladin " sees the image but the main computer not.
The last thing I did I save a file on diskette and they wont read it either.
I do not know if is a problem with profiles or what.
JPD

Drew,

Why are you waiting? When I get there, if someone is using the kiosk I just hand them the CF card or CD, tell them what I need, ask when they'll be ready and leave.

If there is no one using it I use the kiosk, but it takes longer and doesn't make a difference on quality or TAT. Now that I think of it, I'm not sure WHY I do use it, other than it is cool to play with. I guess I drop off from now on.

Fred

make sure that your jpg saving setting is not set to "Progressive". Most of those kiosk machines have problem dealing with progressive jpg. Progressive jpg is use for web viewing...

hope this is the reason...

Jason P Diaz said:

Jason P Diaz said:

Fred Rose said:

In store the 4x6 at Sams is 20 cents, 5x7 is 69 cents. Having just
printed both I see little need to go for a 5x7. I think an 8x10
was under $2 and looked pretty good.

The 20 cent 4x6 has become my workhorse. Since it's less than a
mile from my house I can get a few printed cheaper and faster than
at home.

5x7 I'll probably do here from now on.

Fred

Click to expand...

I have tried Sams a couple times. Sometimes the Aladin machine and
there computer wont see my images. There are done on PS 7 and PS6
sometimes. I have save it as Adobe RGB 1998 and sRGB.
I would appreciate any help from some of you that has being able to
work with Sam's
JPD

Click to expand...

Sams wont read some of my images.
The latest I took a 4x6 image, Saved on PS7 jpeg, PS6 jpg, plus a
tiff image.
Also save it as Adobe RGB 1998 and sRGB. save it as 12, & 8.
The Kiosk "Aladin " sees the image but the main computer not.
The last thing I did I save a file on diskette and they wont read
it either.
I do not know if is a problem with profiles or what.
JPD

Click to expand...

did you close your CD-R? most cd-rom can't read an open disk... only cd-burner drive will be able to read an open disk.

from what you describing... it sounds like you have an open disk

Cheers...

PJ

MisterGuru said:

99.9% of the time the CD burner can read your disk just fine.

I have never had our local Sam's successfully print a B&W saved TIF
file, compressed or not. It looks like a psychadelic painting.

If you have a "good" set of people working that lab (we are blessed
in Evansville - the manager of the lab shoots for me sometimes -
saved my butt Thu and Fri they will really help you out. I
think ours has more business from Pros than "regular" customers.

Our manager's regional manager tells me that they will have a way
to upload your photos over internet and pick up locally. She said
that it was testing around the Arkansas area now. That would help
tremendously.

BTW - the Frontier just ditches the profile info, so don't worry
about saving the image w/ICC info. I suppose ICC could be
confusing things.

-- Tim

Fred Rose said:

MisterGuru said:

MisterGuru said:

Fred

Click to expand...

I have tried Sams a couple times. Sometimes the Aladin machine and
there computer wont see my images. There are done on PS 7 and PS6
sometimes. I have save it as Adobe RGB 1998 and sRGB.
I would appreciate any help from some of you that has being able to
work with Sam's
JPD

Click to expand...

Jason,

I've never had a problem and I've taken them hundreds of files.

Are you sure you're saving them as jpg? They can't read psd or tif.

Fred

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Fred Rose said:

Why are you waiting? When I get there, if someone is using the
kiosk I just hand them the CF card or CD, tell them what I need,
ask when they'll be ready and leave.

Click to expand...

I do the same strategy. Mainly because I can get the order in right then and there and it will be ready quicker. If I trun it in, then it has to wait in line that basically means come back tomorrow. I also like the control as far as being able to set where I want the crop to be. I find that when I just turn in the image to them, sometimes they clip the head, or the image is off. How do you deal with that...getting the right crop that you intended? Although, if I want 8x12s, I have to go to the counter, but then I can just cut it like I want it and don't have to wait for them to reprint it when I go to pick it up.

I guess that is the main thing I am waiting for. My print looks good on my monitor, and most jobs look great, but invariably, something has to be reprinted. A couple of weeks ago, the cutter was off on the 4x6s such that the prints were skewed. Usually things are just a bit dark and I end up having to reprint, despite the fact that the images looks good on my monitor and that most prints turn out great. I think it is pretty well calibrated, but I just go the profile for that Sams and have been attempting to get it RIGHT.

--
Drew
http://www.pbase.com/lokerd

Anthony Ward said:

Hi Drew - my company only prints up to 8x10, but for smaller sizes
doing this online from the comfort of your own home should be
ideal. We use Agfa d-labs so there will be a different result from
Sam's Fuji Frontiers. Anthony

Click to expand...

How does that work as far as needing to get the prints redone? I am grumbling about waiting at Sams for a reprint, but trying to get a reprint from an online place seems like a MAJOR grumble!!! I have tried Shutterfly, it was ok, then I tried dotphot and it wasn't very good at all. I didn't even ask about the shutterfly prints, but when I inquired about the dotphoto, they said I needed to return the images and they could redo them. THat seems impractical. Not only do I have to pay for shipping back, but the time of getting it to them, and then back to me woudl be incredible.

How do other people deal with this?

--
Drew
http://www.pbase.com/lokerd

Hi Drew - it's necessary to ask for the prints back to see what is worng with them. It is true that this is not as convenient as in a retail situation. But we don't really get many complaints - honest! Anthony

Drew Loker said:

Anthony Ward said:

Hi Drew - my company only prints up to 8x10, but for smaller sizes
doing this online from the comfort of your own home should be
ideal. We use Agfa d-labs so there will be a different result from
Sam's Fuji Frontiers. Anthony

Click to expand...

How does that work as far as needing to get the prints redone? I am
grumbling about waiting at Sams for a reprint, but trying to get a
reprint from an online place seems like a MAJOR grumble!!! I have
tried Shutterfly, it was ok, then I tried dotphot and it wasn't
very good at all. I didn't even ask about the shutterfly prints,
but when I inquired about the dotphoto, they said I needed to
return the images and they could redo them. THat seems impractical.
Not only do I have to pay for shipping back, but the time of
getting it to them, and then back to me woudl be incredible.

How do other people deal with this?

--
Drew
http://www.pbase.com/lokerd

Click to expand...