Free prints with good color and resolution
Written: Jan 29 '05 (Updated Jan 30 '05)
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I signed-up for Snapfish in November 2004 during a promotion. I got 50 free prints (plus shipping and handling) so I gave snapfish a shot. All in all, I'm very happy with what I've got, as compared to other online photo company (e.g. Sony imagestation, Shutterfly, etc.)
Uploading pictures
After you've registered, you can start uploading pictures to Snapfish's server. To do this, you first have to create an album (or select albums to add to). The uploading itself is easy and painless. Just click on "select pictures" on the uploading page, and a window will open, much like when you are opening a file in any application, you just check the boxes next to the pictures you want to upload, and click "upload selected photo", and voila! The pop-up window will close and you will see the progress on the uploading page. While the other photos are uploading, you can go ahead and select more to upload!
Uploading speed
I saw some other users complain about the uploading speed. I think snapfish heard the complaints and now their uploading speed is the best that I've seen (especially when compared to Sony imagestation). I ran a test:
10 pictures with the average size of 1.6 MB each (pictures taken using 4-megapixel Canon S400 at top resolution) took 1 minute and 45 seconds to upload using "standard upload"
=> "Standard Upload" is explained in Snapfish's help section:
"When you choose Standard Upload, we upload a medium-resolution image, good for every gift in our store and all print sizes up to 8x10, including MemoryBooks and calendars. This upload is faster and should be selected most of the time, unless you intend to make poster prints.
=> The other option is the "Full Resolution Upload":
"When you choose Full Resolution Upload, we upload a high-resolution image, necessary for poster prints. This upload takes longer. Choose this upload speed only if you intend to make poster prints. Images should be the following resolution for poster prints:
Poster Size Minimum Photo Resolution Required
11" x 14" 1600x1143
12" x 18" 1600x1066
16" x 20" 1920x1536
20" x 30" 2272x1500
Ordering
This part was easy too. Click on "order prints" and choose the pictures you want to order. After choosing the photos, you get to choose the size: 4x6, 5x7, 8x10, wallet set, family pack, and/or poster prints. There are three finish: Kodak glossy paper, Kodak matte paper, or Kodak Royal (extra 5 cents per print). Click on "check out", submit your shipping/billing info and your order is on the way!
Pricing and freebies
I think the pricing is not much different from other online print stores. Standard 4x6 is 19 cents each (for other pricing info, see Snapfish website). However, for every one friend you invite, you get 10 free prints (up to 5000 prints! The most generous I've seen!) You only pay shipping and handling for the pictures, and the pricing is as followed:
Standard USPS shipping for
1-5 prints is $0.99
6-15 prints is $1.48
16-25 prints is $1.97
every additional 10 prints add $0.49
So for me, with 50 prints, I paid $3.44 for the s/h, which averaged out to be about 7 cents per print. A good deal, I think!
My order
I received an e-mail confirmation of my order immediately, and I received another e-mail within a day of my order telling me that my order has been completed and ready to ship. The pictures came within the week I ordered it and in good condition.
** packaging
When my order came, the envelope wasn't sealed very tight, but everything was in there. The envelope has no padding or cardboard in there to protect the prints, but my prints came perfectly fine. So no complaints here.
** color
The colors of the prints are rather true to the colors I see on screen. I think the color is a little bit dull though. I have pictures of sunflower fields that jumps out at you when viewed on the screen. Though on the prints, all the color seems right, it just doesn't jump out anymore.
** resolution
The resolution is great on 'objects' and the details are great. It's not so great on human models though, but I think the same is true for most digital prints.
All in all
I'm pretty happy with snapfish and will use it again. I've showed a couple of friends the prints and they all thought it's pretty good too. Well, I guess I'll invite them to sign up, and more free prints for me!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
daydrmgirl
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Location: New York, NY
Reviews written: 36
Trusted by: 2 members
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