The Melbourne Age had an article on online photo printing services. I think I will use one of these to print my digital photos and send them to mum.
1. AgfaPhoto (www.agfaphoto.com.au)
Print quality: Acceptable
Cost per print: 45c (plus $3 delivery)
Delivery time: Five working days
Two methods of uploading files are offered, either directly through an online form or indirectly via downloadable “client” software. We chose the former method. The three images were uploaded smoothly, however, when it came to choosing the method of delivery (pick-up from a retail store or by post) it became very confusing. It took a phone call to Agfa’s head office in Victoria to sort out, where we struck a very helpful if slightly confused tech (“How did you get my number?”). After that it was plan sailing.
2. Fujicolour (www.fujicolor.com.au)
Print quality: Good
Cost per print: 49c (plus $2.50 delivery)
Delivery time: Four working days
“Get real photos by simply uploading your digital images,” promised the Fuji site, however, the uploading process was anything but simple. Cumbersome and problematic would be nearer the truth. Halfway through uploading our files the site simply froze and when we initially returned was unavailable. Finally, after waiting about an hour we were able to get back into the site and this time the process was painless.
3. Megapixels (www.megapixels.com.au)
Print quality: Outstanding
Cost per print: 19c (plus $3.95 delivery)
Delivery time: Three working days
As well as uploading files via its website, Mexapixels allows you to email your images and even to post your memory card, which is returned along with your prints. We chose to upload our files, a process that was pleasantly glitch-free. One gripe, however, was that the “free” trial print of five images came with a hefty postage cost of $3.95. Call us old-fashioned, but $3.95 isn’t free!