Q: What does this service do for me?
A: Our Online Printing Service allows you to print your digital images on traditional photographic paper, with all the advantages that this material provides in terms of cost, increased resolution, and image longevity as compared to an Inkjet, Dye Sublimation, or Color Laser printer. By linking you directly to our Digital Photo processing Lab, Online Printing provides with a simple and automatic e-process that rivals the ease of an "at home" printer. [return to faq's]

Q: What kind of software do I need to access this Service?
A: : Click here and you will find links to the required application for either PC or Mac. These are free downloads. Once installed, the application will lead you through an easy and intuitive process to select, prepare, and order the images you want printed. [return to faq's]

Q: What kind of picture can I upload?
A: The current version of the application supports JPEG, TIFF, BMP and FLASHPIX file types. Please keep in mind that the different file types have their own limitations with respect to resolution or image compression. However, the application will alert you with a warning should it detect a possible deficiency in your picture. [return to faq's]

Q: What should I do to prepare images?
A: Our Photographic Print Service has a resolution that is superior to all current computer color print technologies. As a result it is important that the image you upload should have a sufficient number of pixels and colors. Number of pixels is generally called resolution. First generation digital cameras often had a resolution of no more than 320x200. Photos taken with such cameras were fine for Web usage and on-screen PC illustrations, but they are not adequate for printing on real photographic paper. In order to produce a satisfactory photographic print, your Electronic Photo should have a resolution of at least 600x400 in its original size. This resolution is satisfactory for a 4x6 photo (See Resolution Guide). Although the application will advise you if you are about to submit an image with insufficient resolution, you will still be able to ignore the warning and upload your image. We cannot be responsible, however, for a poor quality print in this case.
    Another topic of concerned with respect to preparing to upload images is the difference in image ratio between typical digital files and conventional printed image formats. Negatives from a 35mm camera have a rectangle ratio of 36x24 millimeters (3 units by 2 units). In the computer world, the rectangle ratio is different and is typically described as being 640x480 pixels (4 units by 3 units) due to the shape of the computer monitor. This can lead to confusion when translating a computer-based image to a traditional photographic image size (e.g. 4x6). To help alleviate this confusion, our current application includes a crop function, which can be used to give the intended ratio. [return to faq's]

Q: What is a compression warning?
A: Most digital cameras allow for a choice between different levels of quality and are often labeled as Low, Medium or High Quality. This feature refers to the level of compression used in translating the image to a digital file and is often used to alter the number of files that can be stored by the camera. Generally speaking the less compression (High Quality), and therefore the larger the file, the better the prints will be. Despite the many variables that have an effect in reaching an optimal result in a printed digital image, it is recommended that you avoid excessive compression at any stage especially since you cannot "decompress" and recover the information lost from your original file or image. Please take note that compression is independent from resolution and when you compress you don't reduce resolution but simply intentionally deteriorate the picture quality for a specific reason. In some cases this deterioration may be unnoticeable but the software will warn you if compression is too high. [return to faq's]

Q: How can I upload images from my Digital Camera?
A: Your Digital Camera probably came supplied with software to enable you to transfer the Photos from your camera to your computer. While you are doing this transfer, simply make sure that you select JPEG or FLASHPIX file format. Once on your computer, upload files using the application. Note: at present few Digital Cameras support the FLASHPIX file format, but it is expected that this situation will change. FLASHPIX is a preferred format if supported. [return to faq's]

Q: Can I print scanned images?
A: Yes, a scanner is an excellent source of digital images. The only thing you should keep on mind is to scan with enough resolution to match our new type of color printing technology without getting excessively high and producing files that will occupy a lot of your disk space and will take too much time to be transferred over the internet. A suggestion is to try to get a file with a resolution between 800x600 and 1024x768. This will give you a trade-off between quality, disk space and upload transmission time. Select TIFF Color 24 bit or JPEG as the file format to save. As with cameras, currently few scanners support the FLASHPIX image file format (most appropriate file format for photographic electronic data). [return to faq's]

Q: Can I print images from my camcorder?
A: Any of the acceptable image file formats on you computer can be uploaded. However, to transfer the file onto your computer may require a third-party device. We have tested the Logitech‰ device called the SNAPPY‰ with a Hi-8 camcorder and were able to make acceptable prints. Using the application supplied with the SNAPPY, we recommend selecting an 800x600 resolution (See Resolution Guide), and saving the file using JPEG file format. The application will be able to collect such images and upload it. [return to faq's]

Q: Can I print gray scale images (Black & White)?
A: The current application used by our Online Print Service is able to collect gray scale information. However, as the resulting image will be printed on traditional color paper, grays can be expected to have some color shift. [return to faq's]

Q: Are GIF files good enough to be printed?
A: The GIF file format is widely used for Digital Images but are limited to 256 colors (often called 256-color palette). Files that were originally .GIF but were converted (e.g. to a JPEG file format) retain this limited color palette. In this case, the resulting file will give poor results unless it is a logo or similar graphical element. Currently the application is not able to determine if the image was originally created from a GIF file and then converted to JPEG (or any other format supported). [return to faq's]

Q: What print size and print finishing options can I select?
A: The application lets you select the number and size of prints as well as surface finish. Sizes range from 3.5x5 inches to 12 x 8 inches. Surfaces include Glossy and Matte. [return to faq's]

Q: What is the average time needed to upload an image?
A: Unfortunately the upload time depends on several factors that include your Internet connection speed as well as the size and numbers of images you are sending. Upload time can be reduced by decreasing the resolution or increasing the compression of your images before transferring. [return to faq's]

Q: How do I know that the print I will get back is a good print?
A: A "good print" is a subjective term, but images having a sufficient file size and color palette should result in prints of a quality able to meet the expectations of most individuals. The software will notify you if there is a potential for inadequate quality and it will be your decision whether to submit any such images for printing. [return to faq's]

Q: Can I send prints to my relatives far away?
A: Yes, the application will allow you to enter a delivery address different from your own and will therefore allow you to send your prints wherever you wish. [return to faq's]

Q: When will I receive my Print back?
A: We aim to complete your order within 24 hours. Any additional time will depend on whether you decide to pick them up at one of our locations or have them shipped. [return to faq's]

Q: How much does it cost and how do I have to pay?
A: Prices range from $0.30 and up (Canadian) depending on print size and quantity. Complete and up to date prices are listed in the application and may involve shipping costs if applicable. Please click here to view our price grid immediately. Payment is by credit card and is handled through the application. [return to faq's]

Q: How large of a file can I send through this service?
A: There is no maximum file size in this service. However the files you send must be completely uploaded in a twenty-minute time frame or it will not finish. Therefore the maximum file size is determined by the speed of your Internet connection. [return to faq's]

Q: Why is cropping different on the order form thumbnail images?
A: The thumbnail images on the order form are for order confirmation only. They show the entire image and the cropping may be different than the ordered prints. To show all your image, you must choose a print size that does not crop. [return to faq's]

Q: Do I have to reselect the same image if I want multiple print sizes of that image?
A: Yes, if you do not reselect the image for each different paper size, it will take whichever paper size you selected last for that image and use that to place your order. [return to faq's]

Q: When will my order be ready?
A: Your order will be ready for pickup or mailed within 1 working day.(Add a day for Statutory holidays and Sunday.) Please let us know if you need your order sooner ! [return to faq's]