Prints from Mpix

Kerbouchard · Oct 21, 2011

So, I decided to get off my bottom and start using Mpix for my prints. Figured a good place to start would be to order their paper sample kit and their calibration kit. Ordered the calibration kit for $3.00, shipping at 5.95. Submitted my order, noticed I didn't add the paper sample kit..doh. E-mailed customer service to see if I could get it added so I would not have to pay another 5.95 shipping.

No luck, it had already been packaged, but their awesome customer service stepped in...they said they would just send me one as a courtesy. You don't see that too often anymore. So, you can add my vote to the tally of Mpix having amazing customer service.

In any case, got the paper sample kit, and honestly, I'm not all that impressed. Sitting at my desk now and putting their sample kit(Kodak Endura) up against my costco prints(Fuji Crystal Archive), well, I simply prefer the Costco.

I guess I expected to be blown away by the difference. What am I missing?

Kerbouchard · Oct 21, 2011

No opinions? I knew I should have put this in the beginners forum. :biggrin:

MissCream · Oct 21, 2011

I haven't tried them yet because shipping to my house is $30!!!!! I also prefer Costco over the local printing labs in my area

dnavarrojr · Oct 22, 2011

I don't have a CostCo, but the local Sams Club, Wal-Mart and Walgreens are inconsistent with their photo processing quality. Good paper is only small part of the process, it also has to do with quality ink, regular color calibration, coating, etc... I only use MPIX when they have a good sale because their prices are a tad high compared to a couple other sites I use, but I have found their print quality to be consistently great (4 out of 5). Their customer services has always been great and they have gone out of their way to support my local camera clubs with special discounts, special offers, etc...

When MPIX isn't having a good sale, I tend to use NationsPhotoLab for 90% of my prints. Their quality is great and their prices are really good with a huge selection of products.

GeorgieGirl · Oct 22, 2011

I have not used Costco but have used Mpix. Any thoughts that it might be a good idea to do a side-by-side for both Mpix and Costco?

IgsEMT · Oct 22, 2011

Paper is only half the battle.
If I used Costco for my prints my clients... I wouldn't have any clients.

Kerbouchard · Oct 22, 2011

IgsEMT said:
Paper is only half the battle.
If I used Costco for my prints my clients... I wouldn't have any clients.

Care to elaborate? Nothing on the prints say Costco. You have custom text on the back plus a watermark of sorts that says "Fuji Color Crystal Archive". If the print quality is comparable or better, why wouldn't you have any clients? Unless you depend on a lab tech's retouching your photos, I guess I don't see the issue.

Honestly, I didn't start this thread to bash MPIX. Like I said, I was incredibly happy with their customer service. Perhaps, I just have a better than normal Costco.

IgsEMT · Oct 22, 2011

Kerbouchard said:
Care to elaborate? Nothing on the prints say Costco. You have custom text on the back plus a watermark of sorts that says "Fuji Color Crystal Archive". If the print quality is comparable or better, why wouldn't you have any clients? Unless you depend on a lab tech's retouching your photos, I guess I don't see the issue.

Honestly, I didn't start this thread to bash MPIX. Like I said, I was incredibly happy with their customer service. Perhaps, I just have a better than normal Costco.

With pleasure.
Costco printing is done by techs who press buttons without any needed adjustments. As a film habit, I often underexpose by 1/3-1/2 stop and it need to be adjusted in print - something that my local costcos don't do or even know how to do. 2) WB needs to be adjusted as well to the printer and again my locals don't know what that means.
My printing location depends on #1 quality and #2 price. I rather pay more per print and provide better quality then make more profit per print. 99% of prints hanging my wall are from my labs and the other 1% are 4x6 I printed on home printer.
If u r lucky that ur Costco produces adequate results - U R LUCKY.

I have plenty more examples of what pro labs can do that local joints are clueless of , if us like to know, please pm me

Good Luck.

Kerbouchard · Oct 22, 2011

So, I'm gathering that you have some sort of auto-correct turned on when you are ordering, that you haven't downloaded the printer profiles of the labs you are using, and are, indeed, depending on their techs to do some basic adjustments for you?

I guess I am lucky about the Costco that I have, and when their photo manager goes somewhere else, I will most likely have to find another solution.

In any case, I don't want them, or any other lab, adjusting my exposure or white balance. Perhaps, that is the only difference. I prefer to leave 'auto correct' turned off and to have them print what I send them, not their interpretation of what I sent them. Honestly, I don't think it's fair to criticize a lab because you consistently underexpose photos.

As far as other differences, I would be happy to hear them. Perhaps I will try a different lab. I've heard great things about Collages.

CCericola · Oct 22, 2011

Millers/MpixPro/Mpix have a pretty good system. If you calibrate your monitor and you want your prints to look a certain way using Mpix and MpixPro is not problem because they do not color correct. If you want them looked at by a professional and do not have experience with ICC color profiles you can open an account with Millers. Also, because you let Millers do the color correcting any mistakes are on them and they are corrected free of charge. Millers also offers free overnight shipping. So the Millers family of printers is pretty flexible depending on your workflow. Just have some test prints done and see if you like them.

IgsEMT · Oct 22, 2011

No, no auto correct.
Here's the the story, I'm shooting with nikon, editing on hp, image r being viewed on w/e brand name monitor in the lab and printed on w/e brand name printer - all different softwares. I can calibrate till I turn blue and won't get close to techs in the labs do to final adjustments. For example printing on metallic paper vs luster requires me to use different profiles - reality is I dot have time to do that. For me productivity is important: once I shoot the job I need to spend the least amount of time editing it, get client back in studio and make the order. About a year ago I shot a wedding for family member, gave him high res disk upfront. Shmuck went to Costco for proofing 1) they printed without my release 2) prints look HORRIBLE (from color to exposure to contrast all w/o consistency) and these were images that were ready to print (if I were to send these to any of my labs I would make sure that no adjustment is needed). Sometimes u get lucky with consumer labs and seems like in ur situation that is the case, for me I need consistency and no bs. I use 6 different labs all depends on the task. Using one for everything, for me, bit me in the ass back in film-days and I ended up loosing $ on that job.

IgsEMT · Oct 22, 2011

CCericola said:
Millers/MpixPro/Mpix have a pretty good system. If you calibrate your monitor and you want your prints to look a certain way using Mpix and MpixPro is not problem because they do not color correct. If you want them looked at by a professional and do not have experience with ICC color profiles you can open an account with Millers. Also, because you let Millers do the color correcting any mistakes are on them and they are corrected free of charge. Millers also offers free overnight shipping. So the Millers family of printers is pretty flexible depending on your workflow. Just have some test prints done and see if you like them.

CC, since u mentioned millers

I had a newcomer with me and while he was shooting rapid-fire his flash didnt recycle fast enough. Shot was important and luckily he was shooting raw - but even pushing it 2.5 stops it still looked like crap and I didn't think that anything larger then 4x6 would look decent. I sent it to Millers for 8x10 and was blown away but what they did. I wouldn't print larger but their techs did a great job.

Kerbouchard · Oct 22, 2011

I'm confused. Millers and Mpix are the same lab. Exact same quality. Exact same techs. Exact same gear. Their FAQ and website says the same thing. I'm curious as to why some of you think they are different. As far as Mpix and color correction, they perform color correction on every print unless you specifically ask them not to, and then you have to acknowledge a T&C that they won't reprint it if you don't like it.

I think I am starting to understand this a bit. All of these companies have very expensive and very good printers. Assuming the maintenance is done properly, they should all output equal results, as long as you aren't depending on their employees fixing your photos.

I appreciate your guys input. It has been invaluable.

KmH · Oct 22, 2011

Kodak and Fuji films looked different too.

Fuji Color Crystal Archive paper is the main name of a range of Fuji papers. Fujifilm USA | Fujicolor Crystal Archive Preferred Paper : Overview
Is your Costco using chromogenic printing machines or inkjet printing machines?

Miller's and Mpix do not use the same gear acoss the board. Miller's has products, sizes, and processes that are not available to Mpix customers.

Mpix is the consumer lab products (prices, shipping cost and terms, etc) at Miller's. There is also MpixPro.

GeorgieGirl · Oct 22, 2011

Is there a consusus then on where the best prints can be made? If we all do our own prep work is there one house over another that *should* yield the best results on paper because of their paper or machinery?