Online Digital Photo Printing

Almost everyone has access to a digital camera, either as their main picture-taker, or on their mobile phone. Digital photos are far more flexible than traditional film, as you can take as many pictures as you like for no extra cost and the image quality will suffice for most people.

So, the next stage - if you are not content to store all of your amazing pictures on your computer, then you will need to print your digital photos at some time.

Your main options are buy a colour printer or print your digital photos online.

I have done both and for anyone thinking about the best choice for them, I have created a short guide below.

GUIDE TO PRINTING DIGITAL PHOTOS
You have two basic options; buy a printer or print your photos online
Personal Printers
1) Good quality personal printers are expensive to buy!
2) Personal printers are expensive to run
3) Personal printers can only handle a certain size and quality of paper.
4) Cheaper (eventually!) if you are printing lots of standard size pictures

Printing Online
1) Lots of choice of paper, size, quality and finish
You can even print your photos to poster size, on mugs, T-shirts, mouse mats and a whole range of novelties.
2) No set-up costs and cheap to run
3) Access to very high-quality printers, which do a much better job than any home printer

Once you've decided to print your pictures online, you need to decide on the best provider. See my guide below.

Once you've decided not to fork out loads of cash for a personal home photo printer, you need to decide on the best online digital photo printer for you.

I have been using many of these printing companies for personal and professional use for many years and have ranked a few of my favourites below. The best price depends entirely on what your planning to print.

Everyone wnats the cheapest photos, but pricing is dependent on your requirements - no one site is cheaper at everything. The best idea is try one or two and see the results, then compare the pricing for your own requirements.

PhotoBox

• One of the first in the UK.
  
• Lots of awards.
  
• Good range of sizes, finishes.
  
• Excellent range of gifts and novelties.
  
• Fast delivery.
  
• Good range of special offers.
  
• Unlimited space for print orders, 200MB for free photo sharing.

Register with PhotoBox here

Pixum

• Well known and respected.
  
• Few awards.
  
• Good range of sizes, finishes.
  
• Excellent range of gifts and novelties.
  
• Site navigation not very intuative.
  
• Upload via browser, email or software.

Register with Pixum here

Snapfish

• Home of the retail photographer Jessops.
  
• Good range of sizes, finishes.
  
• Good range of gifts and novelties.
  
• Free unlimited storage of low-res compressed photos (not much use)
  
• Free unlimited storage of hi-res photos for 90 days, or unlimited if included within an order.

Register with Snapfish here

HINTS:

1. For best print results, always read and obey the resolution and print formatting guidelienes for the web-site you use.
   
2. Always do any photo processing, such as re-sizing, photo-retouching and resolution changes BEFORE you upload your photos.
   
3. Always keep your origial photos (as copied from your digital camera) and do changes on copies - not the originals.