I have used Costco to print my 12x12 layouts with mixed results. I just bring in the 12x12 LO's on CD (I don't convert them to 12x18), and the technicians print out the LOs on 12x18. I love the convenience and quick response; however, the quality has been mixed. The left and right pages in my 2-page layouts have printed differently each time (even though they were generated with PS7 at the same time and look identical on my screen). The Costco staff has been helpful, reprinting either the left or right side to get a match. Has anyone else had this problem? Is there something else I should be doing? I know people have had a lot of success with ezprints.com - should I try there? I appreciate any suggestions!

Thanks, Brigid.

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

See if they have an option in their system to turn off color correction. A lot of labs have these correction turned on because on average it helps everday peoples photos come out a little more punchy and less dark and lacking contrast. However, when printing something such as digital pages, it can wreck havoc as it will read the page and try to make colors different to match the "profile" that it has loaded. (i've had baby blues end up dark grey.....pinks end up white....black and whites end up green) Eseentially you are going to have the most problems on pages where there is a lot of contrast in the colors and items on the pages. Ask them about this and see if they can turn it off for you. It should just be a one click thing for them and it will make your prints come out much better (or at least matching each other). The actual color you end up with at that point is going to greatly depend on how well your monitor is calibrated to their printers. yes...it does get confusing

-Kelly

__________________
-Kelly

I second PP about no color correction. I put it in big letters and highlight it at the bottom of the envelope. I also made friends with the photo lab manager and now I almost never have a problem, in fact he has held some of my orders aside because he wanted to make sure they had printed them right. And it never hurts to write them a nice letter.

As far as monitor calibration, I broke down and got a monaco optix to fix the color on my screen. Its pricey, about $200 but I have seen less expensive models as low as $99. If you are going to do a lot of lab printing its nice to have.

__________________
"If little else, the brain is an educational toy...The problem with posessing such an engaging toy is that other people want to play with it, too. Sometimes they would rather play with yours than theirs." -Tom Robbins, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues

[quote=Seahorse1975]I broke down and got a monaco optix to fix the color on my screen/QUOTE]

What is Monaco Optix Fix and how does it work?

TIA

__________________
Jana
Please visit my gallery.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!

I just returned from Costco... and my layouts look amazing (well, the printing at least)! No color problems at all. I appreciate all the suggestions!

Scrapbook-bytes is awesome. You are all tremendous resources! Thank you again for all your help! Brigid.

Jana,
The optix is a device that hangs on the monitor and reads color squares that flash on the screen. It figures out a profile for your monitor and adjusts it so what you see on the screen is what you see onthe finished print. So far, so good. It has helped with the tones in my layouts.

__________________
"If little else, the brain is an educational toy...The problem with posessing such an engaging toy is that other people want to play with it, too. Sometimes they would rather play with yours than theirs." -Tom Robbins, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues

The best thing is to download the color profile from your particular Costco if they have that availabe. It will ensure pro-quality print out each and every time.

__________________
2006 Scrapping Goal: 130 Layout
Completed YTD:
January: 9