12x12 prints from Costco

[ashleygg]

I had several layouts (OK... fourteen) printed at Costco in the 12 x 12 size and I just wanted to let you guys know that they are stunning! STUNNING. I had been hemming and hawwing on whether to print 8x8 at home, get a photo book from Shutterfly or have Costco print them at the 12 x 12 size. I am SO glad that I bit the bullet and had Costco do them and at the larger size. I use 12x12 albums. They look amazing and that just put the final nail in the coffin on paper scrapping for me.

Just wanted to let you guys know how great they look in case you were debating it too.

[PaulaSG]

Good to know Ashley! I've stuck with 8x8 photo books and love them but I am VERY curious about 12x12 prints. Now I'm even more curious!

[Elena]

How much were the 12x12 prints?

[ashleygg]

They are $2.99 each.

[digigrandma]

That's a great price, isn't it? Glad you found a good solution for printing 12 x 12 pages, Ashley! It is such a kick to see the printed pages in an album.

I never paper scrapped, so, when I started making digital pages I went with the 8 x 8 size so I could print at home. Lately, I've been ordering 8 x 8 albums from Shutterfly. Either way, I love when I see the printed pages IRL.

[Jen D]

I use Costco to and have loved the results =) I love to be able to download them from home and go run and get them! I have printed the 8X8 there to. Never been disappointed!

[iUma]

Yes, I've been very happy with them at both sizes. Just about to have them print the pages to be framed at 12x12 for my Dad's goodbye party. The matte finish is lovely.

[Kayleigh]

I printed some pages at Costco as well for a contest & was very impressed with the quality. I have also printed a 12x12 shutterfly book & love it too The 12x12 just adds so much detail that I think gets lost sometimes with the 8x8. I am totally hooked on 12x12

[Julie DeGuia]

I had a 12x12 printed out at Costco as well and it was really nice. Does anyone know if there is a cheaper route for 12x12 than 2.99+tax??? That is going to add up really quickly!

[krutten]

We don't have Costco but I've been sold on 12x12 prints since I discovered sbtoshare.com ($1.99 plus $6 shipping). Then I found a second online printer that had a great sale ($1.49, usually $1.99, plus $5 shipping) and they turned out really, really well also (scrappingsimply.com). So, if you're willing to be a bit patient, online is a great way to go, too.

[dugarner]

I haven't printed pages in a few years, but I think that price is absolutely the best. The mailorder places I used to use that are rock-bottom are now up to $2.99 a page. Most others run $5-$10 for a 12X12. I wish we had a Costco here, I've been hearing how great their pages are.

For me, printing pages and putting them in a traditional scrapbook is way too cost prohibitive. That's why I've been doing the bound books, because they are far less expensive.

A 60 page book would be $180 at $3 a page, plus $15-$40 for the book (depending on the company) plus page protectors, plus DH getting miffed at me every time we move and he has to carry my 500 pounds of photo albums.

For me, budget is a necessary consideration. I love the look and feel of the traditional albums on my shelves, but they are just too expensive. With Shutterfly I printed a 60 page 12X12 book (waited for a sale, like now---20% off + free shipping) and got it for $114 or something like that.

It's all a personal preference. Someday I hope to be able to afford to print the pages and put them in albums again!

[ashleygg]

Originally Posted by krutten

We don't have Costco but I've been sold on 12x12 prints since I discovered sbtoshare.com ($1.99 plus $6 shipping). Then I found a second online printer that had a great sale ($1.49, usually $1.99, plus $5 shipping) and they turned out really, really well also (scrappingsimply.com). So, if you're willing to be a bit patient, online is a great way to go, too.

What kind of paper do they use?

[krutten]

Originally Posted by ashleygg

What kind of paper do they use?

Scrapbooks to Share (sbtoshare) has a few choices ... I pick the glossy cardstock - a very nice, heavyweight page. They will give you a free sample by printing one of your LOs, if you're interested. Great customer service, very easy to work with.

Recently I've been using Scrapping Simply because they offer full-bleed printing. (sbtoshare used to, but now they have a new printer and to get full-bleed, you have to have a slightly smaller than 12" page size). Scrapping Simply's paper is more like a nice glossy photo. Not quite as stiff as the cardstock but it still turns out looking really great. Also great customer service & very, very fast!!

[Jen D]

I like the Costco Matte. The paper is really sturdy and the colors have always been spot on. Some of the online printers I have used seem to have more noise or less clarity in the prints. Never noticed until I brought one home from Costco and sat them side by side!

Occasionally to get a better deal I watch scrapbookpictures.com for sales. When they do have a sale they run 2.00 a page and it is only 2.00 to ship no matter how many pages. They don't run sales very often though.

I would love to use shutterfly but my kiddos are to hard on my albums. I need page protectors. I use the American Craft 12 X12 D-ring albums that Ali Edwards had on her website. I use my 50% off coupon at Hobby Lobby and get them for 10.00 =) The page protectors I also purchase when they are 50% off and I can get 50 of them for 5.00.

[ashleygg]

Originally Posted by Jen D

I would love to use shutterfly but my kiddos are to hard on my albums. I need page protectors. I use the American Craft 12 X12 D-ring albums that Ali Edwards had on her website. I use my 50% off coupon at Hobby Lobby and get them for 10.00 =) The page protectors I also purchase when they are 50% off and I can get 50 of them for 5.00.

Mine too. There is no way I could do a Shutterfly book. If a page got torn (and it would) I would cry, then I would yell at my kids, then they would cry. It just wouldn't work. Maybe I can get one when they are older.

[krutten]

Originally Posted by ashleygg

Mine too. There is no way I could do a Shutterfly book. If a page got torn (and it would) I would cry, then I would yell at my kids, then they would cry. It just wouldn't work. Maybe I can get one when they are older.

That's exactly what I think every time I consider it!! We have enough yelling around here already ...

[krutten]

Originally Posted by Jen D

I like the Costco Matte. The paper is really sturdy and the colors have always been spot on. Some of the online printers I have used seem to have more noise or less clarity in the prints. Never noticed until I brought one home from Costco and sat them side by side!

Occasionally to get a better deal I watch scrapbookpictures.com for sales. When they do have a sale they run 2.00 a page and it is only 2.00 to ship no matter how many pages. They don't run sales very often though.

I would love to use shutterfly but my kiddos are to hard on my albums. I need page protectors. I use the American Craft 12 X12 D-ring albums that Ali Edwards had on her website. I use my 50% off coupon at Hobby Lobby and get them for 10.00 =) The page protectors I also purchase when they are 50% off and I can get 50 of them for 5.00.

You must have a great Hobby Lobby!! I check out the one in Minot every time we visit my MIL, but they don't have any of the albums & protectors you've mentioned or that I've been looking for... gotta love those coupons, though!!

I'm curious about your experience with the online printers... which ones have you tried that came out more grainy? I was pleasantly surprised when I tried scrappingsimply - I was a little nervous because I put in a huge order all at once when they had their (rare!) sale. Turned out really great, though - even my husband commented on the clarity, and he's usually REALLY picky!

[chari]

Originally Posted by ashleygg

What kind of paper do they use?

Scrappingsimply.com uses premium archival fuji photo paper. The same paper as Costco, BUT they sharpen, contrast, color correct & optimize each page to make sure things aren't getting cut off. I can tell a HUGE difference.
They also guarantee everything and call you if there is a problem.

[calligraphybycarol]

I am wondering if you downloaded their printer profiles and used those, or just gave them an sRGB file?

[chari]

Originally Posted by calligraphybycarol

I am wondering if you downloaded their printer profiles and used those, or just gave them an sRGB file?

Just a flattened sRGB jpeg.
Computer monitors are all calibrated differently & theirs came out closest.

[hulseyfam]

Does anyone know if Sams Club prints 12x12??

[mungerre]

I had an 80 page album to print (x2 because I wanted each of my twins to have one), not really an option for me at Costco prices. I ended up printing at viovio. The paper was more like magazine, but since I put it into an album it ended up being okay. It was $0.86 for one page. I figured for less than 1/3rd the price, I could live with a it not being on the heavy cardstock. The upload was extremely annoying and there was a size limit so I had to order the book in two sections. But, once again, for less than a dollar I was willing to put up with a lot.

My absolute favorites still get printed at Costco so I can hang them up on the wall at work for a bit to enjoy them more. Definitely better quality, but my budget thanks me for printing cheaper for the majority of prints. Saves money to buy more digi elements

[mommydawn]

will costco do this via mail?
I don't have one either.

[kathyl]

Jaime - No, Sam's Club does not offer that size. I wish they would as my Sam's is just around the corner and the closest Costco is a little bit further.

I have actually use the 12x18 print at Costco which is the same price $2.99 and I am able to get a 12x12 layout and two 6x6 duplicates. I will keep the big page, give a 6x6 to my mom and have an extra still.

[ashleygg]

I actually just ordered some from scrapbookpictures.com on Sunday because they had a sale where a 12x12 print ended up costing $2.09. I received them today and they look great. I will stock up for their next sale and order more from them for sure.

[hopeyanna]

costco is the way to go and no worry about online ordering with the mail people folding your prints. It's worth the $2.99 plus tax. Yes! It really does add up quickly ;D. They do look spectacular!

[hulseyfam]

Originally Posted by kathyl

Jaime - No, Sam's Club does not offer that size. I wish they would as my Sam's is just around the corner and the closest Costco is a little bit further.

I have actually use the 12x18 print at Costco which is the same price $2.99 and I am able to get a 12x12 layout and two 6x6 duplicates. I will keep the big page, give a 6x6 to my mom and have an extra still.

Thanks for letting me know!!!

[Blesus]

Does anyone have input on the chemical process Costco uses? Archival?

[chari]

Originally Posted by Blesus

Does anyone have input on the chemical process Costco uses? Archival?

Costco uses fuji archival photo paper. (100+year without fading)
However persnicketyprints.com uses this paper and is cheaper ($1.99 a 12x12), and they check each page, add contrast for more 3D "pop", and even called me when one of my files was too low of a resolution to be up to standard.
I highly recommend them. Their paper is the Fuji crystal archive, scratch resistant, and even waterproof! I ordered mine in matte. They came 3 days later ($5 flat shipping).

[whatnext]

scrappingsimply is a great place for 12x12s. they have other sizes, matte or glossy, the paper's very nice, they're reliable and the prints arrive unbent. they don't mess with color (i always write a note telling them to let the color alone,) and the 12x12s are $1.99. i like 'em.

i just noticed the the person above ALSO likes the site!