Decoding the Cost: Why Professional Printing Makes a Difference | Pinon Hills Creative Kids Photographer

Have you ever wondered why printing through your photographer is more expensive than printing at Walgreens or Target? 

You're not the only one!

And, why does quality printing come with a much higher price tag? Especially when digital alternatives are so much cheaper?

Think about it as though you’re indulging in a five-star meal versus getting the ingredients to make your own meal. There's a world of difference in what you're getting. 

It's not just about putting ink on paper. It's about the whole experience, the beautiful image quality, and the long-lasting impact.

Here’s why investing in professional printing is a decision you won't regret.

Let’s dive in!

Some of my cards and small display images for showing at events.

Professional Labs Have Experience and Expertise 

Choosing between printing through your photographer or a budget-friendly service? It's crucial to understand that lower costs often mean less experience. 

Professional labs have years of expertise. And, it isn't only about how to run machines. It's about understanding paper quality, ink longevity, color accuracy, and finishing touches that elevate your project.

Most photographers order samples from multiple labs before they decide who will give them the best quality and price, for their clients. They choose who they want to work with and why. And, not every professional print company is the same. 

Yes, I have used Walgreens, Costco, and Shutterfly to print my own family photos and albums. They would usually have a green color cast on them. Yuck!

Fast forward a few years, and as I began printing my own images, I was in charge of the colors and edits. I learned how to edit my photos for printing. I learned what worked for printing on different papers.

I also learned how difficult printing was. Here’s a little secret: printing turns out darker than your digital image looks. While I was learning, I ended up printing 6 copies of one image – that image still haunts me! Pun intended, it was a spooky image. Ha!

I quickly fell in love with different papers, from ultra-thick to translucent, almost tissue-like paper. I love printing on metal – it’s my all-time favorite look.

I’ve learned throughout the years of being a photographer and value my time and education that have gone into learning printing. And, I know professional labs have generations of education going into their products as well. 

Ordering through a Professional Photographer Means a Unique Set of Experience and Expertise, too!

When you print with a professional lab through your creative kids photographer in Pinon Hills, you’re getting a lot more than an image printed on paper. 

Your photographer understands details about the crop, colors, and sizing limitations that you might not know about when printing on your own. And, let’s be honest, the quality of a home printer just isn’t there.

When you attempt to figure this out on your own, this could lead to bad print quality or simply not getting what you were imagining, when you ordered the print. 

I had a client order multiple 30” x 40” prints from her daughter’s wedding, family portrait. I was not the photographer. And, I explained the only way that would work was if she had the original size file sent from her photographer. I assured her it might not work as well. 

I was nervous because this was the largest size I’d ever ordered that wasn’t my own file.

She gave me the hugest file she had, and I sent it off to the print lab. The stars and moon aligned, and her prints arrived. They were beautiful!

This is something that comes with the experience of a professional photographer and is something consumers might not ever consider.

Another story, my husband took a snapshot of Jackson Lake while it was snowing, with his phone. He sent it to print through Google Prints, and it arrived pixelated and ugly. The colors were off, and the whole image was a mess.

He didn’t understand why. I had to explain to him that our phones aren’t made to print the images in a large format. Phones are not the same as professional cameras. So, it was a bad photo file and a worse printer, which ended up as a poor image.

Womp womp.

Get Customization & Personalization

Unlike generic print jobs, professional printing offers a lot of customization. 

This means tailoring every aspect of the printing process to your needs, from paper choice to unique finishes. Think silk vs. cotton. 

Imagine you're making a special card. With professional printing, you get to pick everything — from what type of paper (maybe metallic or super thick), and even special touches like gold edges, thick inserts, or linen textures.

This makes whatever you're printing super special. It's not just another thin paper thing someone has printed a thousand times at the big box store. It's your own, one-of-a-kind creation.

Clients who order albums with me select their favorite images and can choose between linen, glitter paper, acrylic, or faux leather for the cover. The pages come with inserts to make them thicker, which is nice, but also helps the pages last longer. It feels so luxurious turning each page. Each album also comes in a thick box to keep it safe while being stored.

Now think of an album from Shutterfly. They feel like a flimsy book you can pick up anywhere. The colors are usually off. Images can appear pixelated, too. They lack the luxury feeling. And, you can only design so much on them. And, it takes hours to put one together, right?

Quality Materials and Longevity

When you’re printing something special, like photos of your newborn session or your daughter’s senior portraits, you don’t want to use regular paper and ink.

Instead, look for a photographer who uses a lab with high-quality paper (that doesn’t get old and yellow) and ink that doesn’t fade away. An archival print will last for more than a hundred years.

The goal is to preserve the beauty of your photos just as they are today—and for many years to come!

I love creating wall art and albums from my creative kids' portraits here in Pinon Hills, and I stand by my printed items. If there’s ever a problem, something gets ruined, or a product develops legs and walks away– I’ll replace it depending on the circumstance. 

I know you’re tired of hearing it. But, I don’t have any wedding photos, they were lost with my photographer and her laptop.  That’s why I stand on the “Print Your Images” hill, and I will die on it!

When there’s a fire, what do you grab? The

Here is Why You Shouldn’t Use Walmart or CVS:

These stores don't adjust their printers often enough.

Since printing isn't their main service, the colors in your photos can look off – too green, too pink, or way too bright. As photographers, we put a lot of effort into editing our photos to get the colors just right. But when you print them at Walmart or CVS, the final print might not replicate the beautiful photo we crafted for you. And, that’s a shame!

Printed image of a beautiful young woman!

When Should You Skip Printing Through Your Photographer?

Never. Honestly, there has never been a time when I encouraged my clients to skip printing through me.

This might sound mean. But most people simply won’t print their images. They’ll leave them sitting on a CD, USB, or computer somewhere, never to see the light of day. 

And, what happens when the CD or USB becomes obsolete? They can’t even look at their images. Do you have images on a CD somewhere? Can you even play it?

I want your images that I created specifically for you to be displayed in your home. Whether you choose to hang them on the wall or print them in an album. Having a tangible photo is so much more satisfying than scrolling through images on a screen. 

I do give a digital file for sharing on social media of each purchased print, I’m not crazy! I know we love sharing our loved ones and self online. 

Print and display your photos in your home!

Conclusion 

Of course, there are situations where you just need a quick print, and the quality doesn’t matter. School often needs some snapshots for kids’ art projects. But when it comes to ordering an heirloom piece for your home, the details matter a lot!

Just like a fine wine, the quality of professional printing becomes more apparent over time. When you see and touch a beautifully printed piece years later, you'll understand the true value of your investment.

Ready to book a session so you can get your images professionally printed? Click here to view my Fantasy & Creative Portrait portfolio or inquire about booking here!

I hope you enjoyed reading Decoding the Cost: Why Professional Printing Makes a Difference | Pinon Hills Creative Kids Photographer, and you’ve decided to hire someone to take your portraits and print them out!

Cheers and happy printing!

Annette