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Deal of the Day by Kelli B. Grant (Author Archive)
The Best Digital-Photo-Printing Deals
Develop them in a store and you face broken machines, long lines (most stores have only one Kodak (EK) Picture Maker kiosk) and climbing costs. On the other hand, use an online processing service to cut costs and you'll face sluggish mail service and hefty shipping charges.
Whichever route you choose, you should focus on the cost per print, which might not be the amount advertised. Take the posted number and factor in added costs like shipping and in-store pick up fees to determine which service is the most cost effective.
In the name of getting those Independence Day photos freed from the cameras that bind them, here's a round-up of the best in digital processing.
For the online-inclined, the best deal is Winkflash. Its price is comparable with Snapfish at 12 cents per 4x6 print, but the flat-rate shipping can't be beat. And it offers free text on the back of the images, so you'll never have to wonder when or where a photo was taken.
Want to pick up your prints instead? Many chain supermarkets, drug stores and convenience stores can process digital prints, either with their own equipment or a do-it-yourself Kodak kiosk.
Avoiding lines is getting easier, too. Several chains let you edit and order prints online, including Wal-Mart Stores (WMT), Eckerd, Walgreen (WAG) and CVS (CVS). For price per print, Wal-Mart is the best deal, as long as you don't want your prints fast (one-hour processing is four cents extra per print) and you aren't interested in maintaining an online photo album. Here's a rundown of the major online and in-store services.
- Cost per print. 4x6 prints are 25 cents each; 5x7 prints are $1.49 each. Other sizes available.
- In-store pickup. Free pickup at your nearest Eckerd store.
- Processing time. Prints will be ready in one to two days. You'll receive an email notifying you when your prints are ready for pickup.
- Storage. Free storage for your photos. Your "darkroom" stores photos to edit and order. Prints can be posted to your Photosite and shared with friends.
- Special features and services. Offers the standard gifts, plus a few unique ones such as photo sculptures and watches.
- Cost per print. 4x6 prints are 25 cents each, 5x7 prints are 99 cents each. Other sizes offered.
- Shipping. Estimated delivery time of two days. Sent via U.S. mail. Shipping is $1.49 for up to 10 prints. Costs increase based on the number of prints ordered.
- In-store pickup. Order your prints online for pickup at your local CVS. A $1.49 convenience fee will apply.
- Processing time. The company has photo labs across the country, so your order is processed and shipped in one business day.
- Storage. Free unlimited storage as long as you purchase at least one print from the site per year.
- Special features and services. Photo editing tools to make your pictures perfect. Offers a wide range of gifts, plus accessories such as frames and albums.
- Store specials. Offers numerous discounts. Register for the site and get 10 free 4x6 photos. Registration is free. Spend $50 on prints, and $10 will be credited to your next purchase. Whenever someone you share photos with signs up, you'll receive credit for your web site purchases. Through July 15, use coupon code ADSUMMER20 at the checkout and get 20% off an order of $10 or more. Through July 27, use coupon code SUMMERSTORY and get 20% off purchase of photo books and albums.
- Cost per print. 4x6 prints are 12 cents each. 5x7 prints cost 79 cents each if you order up to 10 (59 cents each for 11-24, 49 cents each for 25-49 and 29 cents each for 50 or more). Other sizes available. You can also prepay for photos. For $99.99, you'll get 1,000 4x6 photos — 10 cents each.
- Shipping. Standard shipping for one to five prints is 99 cents. For every additional 10 photos you order, shipping increases by 49 cents. Upgraded shipping available. Orders ship from San Francisco.
- Processing time. Orders are processed in one to two business days. Photo gifts may take three to six business days.
- Storage. Free unlimited online storage. Organize images into online albums for sharing with friends.
- Special features and services. Fee software to edit and view your images. Send in film for processing, and your images will be saved in your account online for sharing and future orders. Web site offers a selection of unique photo gifts, from a deck of cards to boxer shorts and dog collars. You can even purchase gift prints so that the people you share your photos with can get their own copies — free of charge.
- Store specials. Sign up and get 20 free prints from your digital camera and have your first roll of film processed for free. Registration is free.
- Cost per print. 4x6 prints are 19 cents each; 5x7 prints are $1.99 each.
- Shipping. Standard shipping is 99 cents for up to five prints. Costs increase 49 cents for each additional 10 pictures ordered.
- In-store pickup. Free in-store pickup.
- Processing time. One-hour processing available in most locations.
- Storage. Free unlimited storage. Organize your images into online photo albums that you can share with friends.
- Special features and services. Choose to upload or email your photos. Gift selection similar to Snapfish.
- Store specials. Get 10 free 4x6 prints with your first upload.
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