Costco 12x12 prints - color problems - Page 2 - SBB Digital Scrapbooking Forums | Scrapbook-Bytes

femmgrangwav · #9 (**permalink**) 05-03-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jellybeanie

I have had pretty good luck with Costco's print quality. I printed some the other day and I had to redo them because it was almost as if they enlarged slightly. Some of my text that was near the edges bled off the side and I know they had printed fine previously.

One of the things I always do is fill in the whole 12x18 space....I make a 12x12 and then put two 6x6 pages at the bottom so I get 3 scrapbook pages for $3. If you don't do 6x6, you could also put 3-4x6 at the bottom of your 12x18.

I was so glad to discover Costco. The pro lab that I normally use charges $20 for a 12x18 and they print on the identical paper! I haven't been at all happy with Costco for prints from negatives but for digital prints I've found they match the color and density pretty well.

Have a great day! Kristin

How do you do that? Do you do it on PS or on the Costco website? Please elaborate...(I'm new)

Brigid · #10 (**permalink**) 05-03-2005

I just create a new file in PS sized 12x18, copy in my 12x12 finished layout, and then copy in either 3 other pictures or 2 additional copies of the 12x12 layout and use edit>transform>scale or crop to adjust the sizes as needed to fit within the 12x18 space.

Based on my experience (from rhapsdy's comment below), the critical step in printing at Costco is making sure to instruct them to turn off color correction. I have had them print 12x12 layouts, as well as 12x18 layouts and they have all turned out great as long as color correction is off. As Jellybeanie says below, if you have a few extra minutes, it's worth it to fill the whole 12x18 space. You're already paying to the develop those extra 6" so you might as well fill it with pictures!

Hope this helps! brigid.

aDCoriginal · #11 (**permalink**) 05-04-2005

Costco uses the same profiles as www.whcc.com (white house custom color) for their printing profiles. They only recommend creating in sRGB mode and also correct monitor callibration. My color callibrator is colorvision's Spyder. I got the most basic "professional" one for $99.00 and it's working great.

terwilliger · #12 (**permalink**) 05-25-2005

I have never done any printing at Costco. i have a beautiful layout that I did on paper (12x12) when my neice was born. I promised the page to my sister but I would like a copy for myself. Do you think that Costco will be able to accomplish this for me? Roughly what is the cost? Does anyone have any suggestions? I have a scanner and a digital camera if that helps.

Brigid · #13 (**permalink**) 05-25-2005

I don't know if Costco makes 12x12 copies... hopefully someone else will reply. I was actually wondering this myself.

I do know that the scrapbooking store Archivers makes 12x12 copies, and they turn out quite nicely. I think I paid ~$8 for a copy. Not sure if there is an Archivers store near you...

Other options - you can take a digital picture of the layout and have Costco print it on 12x18 paper (then trim to 12x12). You can also scan your layout into your computer (will probably require 4 scans if your scanner bed is <12" high), then "stitch" the layout together using photo software. This can be tricky to do though.

Good luck! Brigid.

cjones35 · #14 (**permalink**) 01-11-2008

I have tried Costco and like their quality but was just a little more than I wanted to pay. I did a lot of research and tried several other on-line printing places and I really like Pure Print Designs. Their website is: http://www.pureprintdesigns.com. Their pages are only $2.25 per page and their prints are beautiful. They only print on one kind of paper but it is very nice and perfect for my scrapbooks. I have been very pleased with them and would recommend them to anyone.