In the age of digital photography, most of us keep our cherished memories stored away on our phones, computers, and in the cloud. But as convenient as that is, some occasions still call for good old-fashioned photo prints. Maybe you want to create a heartfelt photo album for your parents‘ anniversary, update the family portraits on your wall, or get some festive snapshots printed for your holiday cards. Whatever the reason, you may be wondering – does Amazon offer photo printing services?
The answer is yes! Amazon Prints is the online retail giant‘s full-service photo printing solution. Launched in 2016, it allows customers to easily turn their digital photos into high-quality prints, cards, photo books, and more.
How Does Amazon Prints Work?
Using Amazon Prints is simple. If you already use Amazon Photos to back up your images (more on that later), you can order prints directly from the Amazon Photos app or website. No need to manually upload the files again. You can also upload photos from your computer, phone, or other devices if you prefer.
Once you‘ve selected the pictures you want printed, choose from a variety of sizes, paper types, and finishes to suit your needs. Add your items to your Amazon shopping cart, and check out as you would any other Amazon order. Your prints will be delivered right to your door in a matter of days.
Print Sizes and Options
Amazon Prints offers an extensive selection of print sizes to fit virtually any framing or display need:
| Print Size | Dimensions (inches) |
|---|---|
| Wallet | 2.5 x 3.5 |
| 4×4 | 4 x 4 |
| 4×5 | 4 x 5 |
| 4×6 | 4 x 6 |
| 5×5 | 5 x 5 |
| 5×7 | 5 x 7 |
| 8×8 | 8 x 8 |
| 8×10 | 8 x 10 |
| 8×12 | 8 x 12 |
| 11×14 | 11 x 14 |
| 12×12 | 12 x 12 |
| 12×18 | 12 x 18 |
| 16×20 | 16 x 20 |
| 20×30 | 20 x 30 |
Most prints are made using Fujifilm‘s high-quality Crystal Archive paper, which is known for its vibrant colors, sharp details, and resistance to fading over time. You can choose from four different finishes:
- Glossy: A classic option with a shiny finish that makes colors pop
- Matte: A subdued, shine-free look some prefer, especially for black and white photos
- Lustre: A subtle shimmering finish that‘s less reflective than glossy but more radiant than matte
- Pearl: Similar to lustre with a slightly more iridescent sheen
Pricing
One of the biggest selling points of Amazon Prints is the affordable pricing. In fact, they‘re one of the cheapest online print services out there. 4×6 prints start at just 9 cents each, with prices gradually increasing for larger sizes. Even a massive 20×30 poster print will run you just $18.99. And these prices all include free standard shipping!
Here‘s a price comparison of Amazon Prints vs. some of its top competitors for a 4×6 print:
| Company | Price per 4×6 print |
|---|---|
| Amazon Prints | $0.09 |
| Snapfish | $0.09 |
| Walgreens Photo | $0.12 |
| Walmart Photo | $0.12 |
| Shutterfly | $0.15 |
| CVS Photo | $0.29 |
As you can see, Amazon ties with Snapfish for the lowest cost, and is significantly cheaper than drugstores and some other popular photo printing websites.
Print Quality
Of course, price means nothing if the quality isn‘t up to par. Thankfully, Amazon Prints delivers professional-grade prints that can hold their own against pricier competitors. The colors are rich and vibrant, the details are crisp, and the paper is pleasantly weighty. Compared to discount prints from Snapfish or drugstores, reviewers generally find that Amazon‘s prints have more vivid color and better sharpness.
That said, some professional photographers give the slight edge to Mpix and Nations Photo Lab, which cater to a more discerning clientele. But for everyday snapshots and even home decor, Amazon Prints offers an impressive bang for your buck.
Shipping and Production Time
Once you place your order, Amazon says it takes 1-3 days to print your photos, depending on order size and selected shipping speed. Then your prints are packaged up and shipped out to you. The whole process typically takes 3-7 business days from order placement to delivery for standard shipping.
If you‘re in a rush, you can select expedited shipping for an extra fee to get your prints in 1-2 days. Just note that this only speeds up the shipping time, not the production time. Some reviewers have complained that Amazon Prints is slower than in-store pickup options like Walgreens or CVS. So if you‘re in a huge hurry, you may want to look at those instead, and just pay the higher price per print.
The Digital Photography Boom
It‘s no secret that film photography has been on a steady decline since the rise of digital cameras in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The convenience of being able to instantly view, edit, and share photos electronically was a game changer. Suddenly, people were no longer limited to just 24 or 36 exposures on a roll of film. Storage constraints were virtually eliminated too, as photos could be saved to memory cards and hard drives rather than physical negatives or prints.
The real explosion in digital photography came with the ubiquity of smartphones. Nowadays, we all carry sophisticated cameras right in our pockets, ready to snap a pic at any moment. In 2021 alone, an estimated 1.4 trillion photos were taken worldwide. For context, that‘s about 160 million per hour or 44,000 per second!
The average person now has a staggering number of digital photos – over 2,100 according to a 2020 survey by The Phoblographer. But even though our phones and cloud storage make it easy to amass a huge collection, there‘s something to be said for printing out your most cherished shots. A study by Keypoint Intelligence found that 64% of people who take digital photos still print some of them.
Why Print Photos in the Digital Age?
So why do people still bother printing photos when they‘re so easy to store and view digitally? Here are a few key reasons:
-
Longevity: Hard drives crash, phones get lost, and cloud storage services can unexpectedly shut down or lose files. But a printed photo can last for generations if stored properly. It‘s a physical backup that can‘t be hacked or erased.
-
Tangibility: There‘s something special about holding a photo in your hand or flipping through an album that scrolling on a screen can‘t replicate. Printed photos engage more of your senses and tend to create a stronger emotional connection.
-
Decor: Framed prints and canvas wraps are a classic way to personalize your living space and show off your favorite photographic memories as art. Digital picture frames exist, but don‘t have quite the same homey feel.
-
Gifting: Photo prints, books, and cards make thoughtful gifts for loved ones, especially those who aren‘t as comfortable with technology. You can create them once and print multiple copies to share.
-
Archiving: Many people still prefer to print their absolute most precious photos, like weddings, graduations, newborn portraits etc. as an archival way to protect and preserve them without worrying about changing digital formats.
The Environmental Impact of Printing
One downside of photo printing is that it does use paper and ink, which has an environmental cost. The good news is that the photo printing industry has made strides in recent years to be more sustainable.
For example, the paper used by Amazon Prints and many other major retailers is FSC-certified, meaning it comes from responsibly managed forests. Some companies also offer recycled paper or bamboo options.
As for ink and toner cartridges, many print shops have recycling programs where you can return empty cartridges to be refilled or properly disposed of. There are also increasing eco-friendly ink options like soy-based or water-based rather than petroleum-based.
When you do print photos, consider opting for a matte finish, as glossy paper is generally harder to recycle. And of course, be thoughtful about what you print – only print the images you really want physical copies of rather than mindlessly hitting "print all."
Creative Display and Gifting Ideas
If you‘re going to print photos, you might as well show them off! Here are some fun and creative ways to display and share your prints:
- Create a gallery wall by hanging a collection of framed prints in different sizes
- String up prints with mini clothespins on twine or fairy lights
- Arrange prints, tickets, and memorabilia in a shadow box
- Mod Podge prints onto mason jars, coasters, or other decor
- Use washi tape to affix prints to your laptop, water bottle, or journal
- Turn a large print into a custom puzzle
- Make a photo garland to hang for a party or holiday
- Gift framed prints with the date and location of the memory
The possibilities are endless – let your creativity run wild!
Tips for Print-Worthy Pics
Of course, to get great photo prints, it helps to start with great digital photos. Here are some tips to level up your photography game:
-
Compose carefully: Pay attention to basic composition techniques like the rule of thirds, leading lines, and symmetry to create balanced, visually interesting shots.
-
Play with light: Lighting is everything in photography. Experiment with natural light at different times of day, reflectors, and flash to see what works best for your subject and style.
-
Get closer: Don‘t be afraid to fill the frame with your subject, whether that‘s through zooming in or physically moving closer. This creates a more intimate, detailed shot.
-
Find a fresh angle: Rather than always shooting at eye level, try crouching down, climbing up high, or finding an unconventional viewpoint for a more unique perspective.
-
Edit thoughtfully: Post-processing can make a huge difference in the final look of your images. Just be careful not to go overboard – often a few simple tweaks to brightness, contrast, and color balance are all you need.
Most importantly, have fun and don‘t be afraid to experiment! The beauty of digital photography is that you can take as many shots as you want until you nail it.
Conclusion
To sum up, Amazon Prints is a fantastic option for anyone looking to turn their digital photos into high-quality prints and gifts. The prices are unbeatable, the quality is top-notch, and the process couldn‘t be easier – especially if you‘re already an Amazon customer. While it may not have quite the same clout among professional photographers as some specialty print shops, for the average person‘s needs, it‘s a great value.
In today‘s fast-paced digital world, it‘s easy to let our photos languish on our devices without ever seeing the light of day. But there‘s still something undeniably special and meaningful about holding a tangible print in your hands. So next time you snap a particularly wonderful pic, consider getting it printed. You just might be surprised by how much joy a simple photo print can bring.
