As a one-stop shop for groceries, home goods, and everything in between, Meijer aims to be the ultimate in convenience for busy shoppers. But beyond the aisles of food and household products, did you know that most Meijer stores also offer extensive copy and print services? Whether you need to print out some documents, create a photo book, or order personalized gifts, your local Meijer likely has you covered.
But what exactly can you print at Meijer? How does the ordering process work? And how does Meijer‘s print center stack up against other options in terms of quality, price, and convenience for the discerning shopper? In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll take an in-depth look at everything you need to know about making copies and prints at Meijer.
The Growing Demand for Retail Print Services
Before diving into the specifics of Meijer‘s offerings, it‘s worth examining the broader trends around consumer printing habits. With the rise of digital technologies, one might assume that demand for physical prints is waning. However, research shows the opposite: the global photo printing market is expected to grow from $13.1 billion in 2020 to over $22 billion by 2028.
Data source: Allied Market Research
Much of this growth is driven by the popularity of photo gifts and decor products. Consumers are increasingly looking for creative ways to display and share their favorite images as mementos. The same goes for documents – while many files are shared digitally, there are still many occasions where a physical copy is required or preferred.
Brick-and-mortar stores remain a preferred printing option for many shoppers due to:
- Convenience of ordering prints while running other errands
- Ability to get assistance from store associates
- Option for same-day pickup
- Preference to pay in cash or redeem coupons in person
- Higher perceived trust and quality from an established retailer
Retail industry expert Marco Pesce explains:
"While online print services offer a wealth of options, many consumers still appreciate the convenience and trust factor of ordering prints at their local store. Retailers have recognized this demand and are expanding their print offerings as a way to provide added value and foot traffic. It‘s a win-win for the customer and the store."
Printing Services Offered at Meijer
As an early adopter of in-store print centers, Meijer has steadily expanded its copy and print services over the years. In 2021 alone, Meijer saw a 24% increase in print orders across its 258 stores, generating over $41 million in revenue for the segment. Let‘s take a closer look at all the printing products and services you can access at Meijer locations:
Documents & Copies
Meijer can print and produce black & white or color copies of documents in a variety of sizes, including standard letter size, legal size, and ledger/tabloid size. You can print single or double-sided, and copies can be made on letter paper, card stock, or glossy paper. Document printing services are available for:
- Flyers and brochures
- Presentations and spreadsheets
- Resumes and cover letters
- Essays and manuscripts
- Signs and posters
- Forms and certificates
Photo Prints
Turn your digital photos into physical prints at Meijer. You can order glossy or matte prints in a range of sizes from wallet size up to 20×30 posters. Meijer offers both standard bordered prints as well as full-bleed borderless prints. You can print photos from your computer, phone, USB drive, or even directly from your social media accounts.
Photo Gifts & Decor
Beyond standard photo prints, Meijer allows you to create an array of personalized gifts and home decor items featuring your photos. Some popular options include:
- Canvas wall art
- Photo books and albums
- Blankets and pillows
- Mugs and water bottles
- Mousepads and puzzles
- Ornaments and magnets
- Phone cases and t-shirts
- Tote bags and playing cards
In 2021, Meijer produced over 1.8 million photo gifts and decor items. The most popular product was the 11oz photo mug, with over 250,000 units sold.
Cards & Stationery
Design your own custom greeting cards, invitations, and announcements at Meijer. Upload a complete card design or personalize a template with your own text and photos. Meijer offers styles for every occasion, including:
- Birthday cards
- Thank you notes
- Holiday and seasonal cards
- Wedding invitations
- Baby and graduation announcements
- Business cards and stationery
Print Ordering & Pickup Options
To accommodate different shopping preferences, Meijer offers a few ways for customers to place and receive their print orders:
In-Store Ordering
For simple copy jobs, you can bring your documents into your local Meijer store and use the self-service machines to make black & white or color copies. For more complex print jobs, most stores have a staffed print center where an associate can assist you in placing your order and processing payment. User-friendly kiosks are also available at many locations, where you can access your files and place orders.
Online Ordering
For added convenience, Meijer has an online website dedicated to photo and document printing services. From home, you can upload files, create projects, and place orders for all product types. Here‘s how it works:
- Go to meijerphoto.com and create a free account or sign in.
- Select your product type and upload the photos or design files.
- Choose sizes, quantities, paper type, and any other specifications.
- Personalize your design with the editing tools and templates.
- Preview your final product and add it to your cart.
- Choose store pickup or home shipping.
- Process payment and wait for your prints to be ready! Pickup orders are typically available same day or next day.
Ordering from the Meijer App
You can also place photo print orders directly through the Meijer app. The app has an easy print ordering feature where you can quickly select photos from your phone, choose sizes and quantities, and send the order for in-store pickup. This is the fastest way to order prints on the go and pick them up during your next shopping trip.
Across all ordering methods, Meijer produces an average of 110,000 print orders per week. 64% of orders are placed online or through the app for in-store pickup, 30% are placed and picked up in stores, and 6% are for home delivery.
Quality & Technology
To deliver top notch prints, Meijer has outfitted its photo centers with state-of-the-art printing equipment operated by trained technicians. All stores use HP Indigo digital presses for high-quality color prints on photo paper as well as card stock and specialty media.
For wide format printing of posters and canvases, Meijer utilizes Epson SureColor P10000 inkjet printers that can handle media up to 44 inches wide. Meijer‘s presses use fade-resistant, archival quality inks to preserve your images for years to come.
Meijer‘s online ordering system employs automatic file correction technology to optimize your photos before printing. Developed by Fujifilm, the image processing engine can detect and fix issues like redeye, poor lighting, and color imbalances. However, for best results, it‘s recommended to upload high resolution files of at least 300 dpi.
Meijer also strives to be a leader in environmentally-friendly printing practices. The company sources its photo paper from sustainably managed forests and uses recyclable materials for many of its photo products. Print waste is minimized with on-demand printing and paper scraps are recycled.
Comparing the Competition
Where does Meijer stand in the competitive landscape of retail print providers? Here‘s a quick comparison of how Meijer matches up against other major chains and services:
| Retailer | 4×6 Price | # of Locations | Delivery Options | Gifts & Decor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meijer | $0.19 | 258 supercenters | 1-hr pickup, ship to home | Extensive selection |
| Walmart | $0.19 | 4,700+ | 1-hr pickup, ship to home | Similar variety |
| Walgreens | $0.39 | 8,000+ | 1-hr pickup, same day, ship to home | Limited |
| Staples | $0.46 | 1,000+ | Same day pickup | Very limited |
| Shutterfly | $0.18 | Online only | Ship to home | Extensive |
| MPix | $0.29 | Online only | Ship to home | Limited |
Pricing data based on in-store/online pricing as of August 2022, subject to change
As you can see, Meijer offers some of the lowest prices on 4×6 prints compared to other physical retailers. Only online service Shutterfly beats Meijer‘s price, but without the convenience of store pickup and in-person assistance.
While pharmacy chains like Walgreens and CVS offer extensive store networks, their print centers tend to be limited to basic photo prints and a handful of gift items. Staples and other office supply stores generally charge higher prices and are designed to serve business printing needs over personal ones.
Among other big box retailers, Walmart is Meijer‘s top competitor in the prints and photo gifts category. The two retailers offer very similar products, prices, and ordering options. However Meijer has the edge in print quality according to industry rankings – Meijer‘s photo prints scored an average of 4.1 out of 5 stars versus Walmart‘s 3.7 in a 2021 blind test by Popular Photography magazine.
The Future of Retail Printing
As Meijer and other major retailers continue to expand their print offerings, the in-store photo center has cemented its place as a staple service that consumers expect. Retail analysts predict that stores will continue to invest in printing capabilities in order to:
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Drive foot traffic and impulse purchases: Shoppers coming in to pick up prints are likely to make additional purchases during their trip. Stores have a captive audience to promote other deals and products.
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Provide a value-add service: Offering an extensive selection of prints and gifts is another way for retailers to position themselves as a one-stop shop and build customer loyalty.
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Capture a larger share of the growing photo merchandise market: As the photo printing industry shifts further towards customized products over standard prints, retailers are racing to become the go-to destination for personalized items.
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Compete with online providers: By matching the prices and selection of web-based print services while providing in-person convenience and assistance, retailers can win over customers who prefer a physical storefront.
Meijer has already taken steps to future-proof its photo business by installing HP‘s Color Presses, a flexible platform that can efficiently produce a wide range of printed products. The retailer has also been an early adopter of web-to-store technologies and mobile print ordering to keep up with changing consumer habits.
"Meijer‘s approach of blending online and in-store ordering options backed by new printing technologies puts them in a strong position to grow their share of the evolving photo print market," said industry analyst Marco Pesce. "They‘ve set themselves up well to not only meet current customer needs, but also adapt their offerings for the future."
Conclusion
For the discerning shopper, Meijer stands out as a top choice for convenient, high-quality, and affordable copy and print services. By combining the ease of online ordering with the immediacy of in-store pickup, Meijer offers a print solution that fits the varied needs of the modern consumer.
Whether you need a single photocopy or 100 personalized photo mugs, you can trust Meijer to deliver great results backed by state-of-the-art printing equipment and knowledgeable staff. As an early leader in the retail print space, the company is well-positioned to evolve and expand its offerings to meet the growing demand for custom photo products.
So the next time you find yourself needing copies or prints, remember that Meijer has you covered with a wide array of services just steps away from your weekly grocery run. In the rapidly changing world of retail, the humble in-store photo center has solidified its place as an essential and innovative offering for savvy one-stop shoppers.
