Printing at Costco

Doug Haag · Jan 13, 2021

I used to have a fairly high quality Epson printer (one with perhaps seven different color ink cartridges) that I reserved solely for photo printing (also had a cheap regular printer/scanner for documents). During this period I found that prints from Costco were virtually as good and as inexpensive as I could produce myself -- particularly 4x6''s I wasn't planning to frame and display, Plus printing at Costco gave me a broad range of size alternatives without maintaining my own supply of different size papers.

So when the printer head on my Epson crapped out while the printer was in storage for a long period during a move from one house to another, I didn't replace it and rely solely on Costco for my printing.

Just received notice that all Costco printing departments will be closing. Does anyone have experience with other national chains where printing can be done locally whose quality is essentially the same as Costco?

sybersitizen · Jan 13, 2021

Doug Haag said:
Just received notice that all Costco printing departments will be closing.

There will be no more in-store printing, but Costco mail order printing will remain in place.

Doug Haag said:
Does anyone have experience with other national chains where printing can be done locally whose quality is essentially the same as Costco?

There's a US drug store chain by the name of CVS. I recall their local printing machines doing a satisfactory job when I used them, but I never compared them to Costco prints.

Smaug01 · Jan 13, 2021

I had a local shop I had do my photofinishing, but the vandals looted and burned it down. (Kenosha, WI)

Local printing is fast becoming a thing of the past.

I DO have one recommendation though: HP Tango printer and HP's Instant Ink program. It's very affordable; much more so than your old Epson. Quality is good and you can customize it to your liking. I pay $3 a month for up to 50 sheets printed (any size the printer supports) It goes to a flat rate after that, and HP sends me recycled and refilled cartridges as they empty. (the printer talks to them about ink levels)

They send a pre-paid mailer to return the used cartridges, which they recycle and refill. It's pretty slick.

My printer was only $160. (I got the environmentally-friendly "Terra" version of the Tango printer.

ElDubya · Jan 13, 2021

I’ve never used COSTCO but have heard nothing but good about them.

My go to is MPIX.

jayk0607 · Jan 13, 2021

Doug Haag said:
I used to have a fairly high quality Epson printer (one with perhaps seven different color ink cartridges) that I reserved solely for photo printing (also had a cheap regular printer/scanner for documents). During this period I found that prints from Costco were virtually as good and as inexpensive as I could produce myself -- particularly 4x6''s I wasn't planning to frame and display, Plus printing at Costco gave me a broad range of size alternatives without maintaining my own supply of different size papers.

So when the printer head on my Epson crapped out while the printer was in storage for a long period during a move from one house to another, I didn't replace it and rely solely on Costco for my printing.

Just received notice that all Costco printing departments will be closing. Does anyone have experience with other national chains where printing can be done locally whose quality is essentially the same as Costco?

My experience with Walgreen and CVS walk in prints were horrible. Walgreen's mail in orders are ok. But I really liked Costco prints.

Smaug01 · Jan 13, 2021

ElDubya said:
I’ve never used COSTCO but have heard nothing but good about them.

My go to is MPIX.

I'll second the recommendation for MPIX; I use them for my annual photo book and holiday greeting cards.

(They're not a local, nationwide chain though, as the OP requested.)

mjwalker · Jan 13, 2021

Hi Doug,

I have the same issue! I use Costco for all my photo printing. I need a new local place to print. I am following this thread to see if anyone has any suggestions.

Mindy

puttin · Jan 13, 2021

Costco will still do mail order prints, also check out Snapfish.

Doug Haag · Jan 13, 2021

puttin said:
Costco will still do mail order prints, also check out Snapfish.

Does this include all the sizes from 4x6 to, say, 16x10 on regular paper (not canvas, metal, etc.) ?

To everyone else who responded: Thanks for the input.

I just had a batch of 4x6's printed at Costco. My wife glues them to the front of note card stock for sending handwritten notes. I will have one copy of the same image printed at Walgreens, CVS, etc, to compare quality at this size.

I'm not opposed to using mail order for something large that I may frame. For something link that it need not be local, But it is surely handy to have an around-the-corner place for simple 4x6's or 5x7's.

Bob A L · Jan 13, 2021

I have had excellent results from Walgreens locally. I'm sure that it can vary location to location though.

puttin · Jan 14, 2021

Doug Haag said:
puttin said:

Costco will still do mail order prints, also check out Snapfish.

Click to expand...

Does this include all the sizes from 4x6 to, say, 16x10 on regular paper (not canvas, metal, etc.) ?

The last time I used Costco they did, but have not used Snapfish lately. With Costco you need to be a member but not with Snapfish

Doug Haag said:
To everyone else who responded: Thanks for the input.

I just had a batch of 4x6's printed at Costco. My wife glues them to the front of note card stock for sending handwritten notes. I will have one copy of the same image printed at Walgreens, CVS, etc, to compare quality at this size.

I'm not opposed to using mail order for something large that I may frame. For something link that it need not be local, But it is surely handy to have an around-the-corner place for simple 4x6's or 5x7's.

Doug Haag · Jan 14, 2021

puttin said:
Doug Haag said:

puttin said:

Costco will still do mail order prints, also check out Snapfish.

Click to expand...

Does this include all the sizes from 4x6 to, say, 16x10 on regular paper (not canvas, metal, etc.) ?

Click to expand...

The last time I used Costco they did, but have not used Snapfish lately. With Costco you need to be a member but not with Snapfish

puttin said:

To everyone else who responded: Thanks for the input.

I just had a batch of 4x6's printed at Costco. My wife glues them to the front of note card stock for sending handwritten notes. I will have one copy of the same image printed at Walgreens, CVS, etc, to compare quality at this size.

I'm not opposed to using mail order for something large that I may frame. For something link that it need not be local, But it is surely handy to have an around-the-corner place for simple 4x6's or 5x7's.

Click to expand...

I just now returned from Costco to pick up the batch of 4x6's and talked to the person at the photo dept. counter. She said that all the regular prints that I am used to getting in-store will be available online for shipment directly to my house. Even if the price is a little more co cover delivery cost, I may continue to use that for the larger stuff that is likely to be framed (8x10, 11x14, etc.)

But I will have the same image I picked up today printed at walgreen, CVS, etc to see if they can match the quality. I am not so picky about the quality in this size and if the quality is similar it will be more convenient to go there (just a 2 mile drive) for these small prints.

EOS GUY · Jan 14, 2021

Asda here in the UK (WallMart) now have 'super high definition' printers.

Not sure what that means, but I got some A3 prints done on glossy paper and they are top quality, competing in quality than the independent printer I have also used who has one of those massive machines with drawers of each ink the size of clothes drawers and ping pong ball sized pellets of ink.... Literally that good.

--
My Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/photonicstreetdreams/
The earth laughs in flowers.
-Ralph Waldo Emmerson
Before you say (or post in our context) = THINK.
Is what you're going to say - True. Helpful. Important (or Inspiring.) Necessary. Kind.

Doug Haag · Jan 14, 2021

EOS GUY said:
Asda here in the UK (WallMart) now have 'super high definition' printers.

Not sure what that means, but I got some A3 prints done on glossy paper and they are top quality, competing in quality than the independent printer I have also used who has one of those massive machines with drawers of each ink the size of clothes drawers and ping pong ball sized pellets of ink.... Literally that good.

Are we among the shrinking number of people who still like to see their best images printed on paper instead of just on a computer screen ? :-D

EOS GUY · Jan 14, 2021

Doug Haag said:
EOS GUY said:

Asda here in the UK (WallMart) now have 'super high definition' printers.

Not sure what that means, but I got some A3 prints done on glossy paper and they are top quality, competing in quality than the independent printer I have also used who has one of those massive machines with drawers of each ink the size of clothes drawers and ping pong ball sized pellets of ink.... Literally that good.

Click to expand...

Are we among the shrinking number of people who still like to see their best images printed on paper instead of just on a computer screen ? :-D

I don't know.

It would be interesting to get a truly representative poll to see how many only ever see the majority of their photography on a screen.

I see photography as an art form so when i shoot I always imagine them as at least A3 size prints eventually, for exhibit (was ready for first but then covid) and a book or two later if things go well.

Doubt I'd bother if it were just for online or my computer.

I'm not however disparaging those that only view on a screen. It's their free choice and I place no moral judgement or value on it etc.

But it sure is nice to see a good print of one's own photo!

--
My Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/photonicstreetdreams/
The earth laughs in flowers.
-Ralph Waldo Emmerson
Before you say (or post in our context) = THINK.
Is what you're going to say - True. Helpful. Important (or Inspiring.) Necessary. Kind.

mamallama · Jan 14, 2021

EOS GUY said:
Doug Haag said:

EOS GUY said:

Asda here in the UK (WallMart) now have 'super high definition' printers.

Not sure what that means, but I got some A3 prints done on glossy paper and they are top quality, competing in quality than the independent printer I have also used who has one of those massive machines with drawers of each ink the size of clothes drawers and ping pong ball sized pellets of ink.... Literally that good.

Click to expand...

Are we among the shrinking number of people who still like to see their best images printed on paper instead of just on a computer screen ? :-D

Click to expand...

I don't know.

It would be interesting to get a truly representative poll to see how many only ever see the majority of their photography on a screen.

I see photography as an art form so when i shoot I always imagine them as at least A3 size prints eventually, for exhibit (was ready for first but then covid) and a book or two later if things go well.

Doubt I'd bother if it were just for online or my computer.

I'm not however disparaging those that only view on a screen. It's their free choice and I place no moral judgement or value on it etc.

But it sure is nice to see a good print of one's own photo!

The difference is now there are more ways to view your photographs than by printing or projection. With the total number of photographs taken today, it is a good thing that they are not all printed.

Rob J · Jan 14, 2021

I will really miss the ability to pop into my local Costco and have 12x18 prints made, or to send the files in online and pick them up in a couple of hours.

I've done a lot of printing with them over the years. Being able to order them and have them delivered is fine, but how to they package them? With the careless way mail delivery gets delivered, I would imagine the chances of prints arriving bent, wrinkled or otherwise damaged would be problematic.

I like the ability to go in, get the prints in person and receive them flat, not curled up and sent to me in a tube.

Times change, I guess. Printing at home is not an option for me. Way to expensive to maintain a quality inkjet printer, and constantly have to buy expensive inks, paper etc.

Bob A L · Jan 15, 2021

Do you have a CVS or Walgreens or Walmart somewhere close. Might want to try them.

Rob J · Jan 15, 2021

Bob A L said:
Do you have a CVS or Walgreens or Walmart somewhere close. Might want to try them.

Thanks for the suggestion. I have both nearby and for routine small prints I'm sure they would be adequate but for large prints that I'd want to frame and display I'm not sure they would do as well as Costco does. I guess I won't know unless I try a test print or two.

I use a local photo lab when I need a museum quality archival print but of course, they are much more expensive. I use them when I need a print to show in a museum show.

wlderdude · Jan 15, 2021

It's been a few years since I've printed much. When I did, I always got excellent prints from CVS when selecting the "Prints in Days" option where they were NOT printed in store but some centralized facility and sent to the store.

I've not been happy with the prints from Walgreens, Target, or worst of all, Wal-Mart.

[shudders quietly]

Printing at Costco

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