Printing Your Photos

Updated October 2026

Home photo printers have come a long way, and the inks last much longer than they used to. Whether it saves money is another question once you add up ink, paper and your time. It's best for quick prints and for people who like controlling every step. Epson, Canon and HP are the main names.

For everyday 4×6s, store photo counters are hard to beat. Warehouse clubs, pharmacies and big-box stores print quickly and cheaply, and many let you order online and pick up the same day. Most do books, canvas and mugs too.

Online labs have the biggest menu, from photo books and calendars to cards, wall art and metal prints, all shipped to your door. Pro labs cost more but use better papers and are more careful about color.

Avoiding disappointing prints

The most common complaint is that prints come out darker than they looked on screen. Screens are lit from behind and paper isn't. Turn your screen brightness down while editing, or brighten the photo a little before ordering.

Check the crop, too. Phone photos are 4:3 and a 4×6 print is 3:2, so something gets trimmed. For sharpness, the usual guideline is 300 pixels per inch, so a 4×6 needs about 1200 by 1800 pixels. Nearly any phone photo has plenty. Unless the lab asks for something else, send sRGB files.

Prints are also a good backup for the photos you care about most.