Kinko's printing - Amanda??

[andyapc]

Hi,

I noticed prior threads where Amanda mentioned that she goes to Kinko's for printing layouts. I was just at Kinko's today for printing. I make all of my layouts at 12x12 but apparently, the largest Kinko's can do (at a cheaper price - matte cardstock is $2.50, glossy cardstock is $2.98 and I forget the price of regular laser - maybe $1.99?) is 11x11. If I want a true 12x12, it will cost a minimum of $8.00 each so obviously, I'm going to stick with the 11x11.

A couple of questions: 1) Do you mount the 11x11 layout on 12x12 background paper and then place in a 12x12 album? 2) I think only the laser paper is acid free - what if I want the cardstock? Do I have to worry about this? 3) I remember Margie had something about the price of printing LO's at home - I think it was $1.50 - what kind of printer and paper was that with?

Thanks so much for any info.

Andrea C.

[Margie]

i think amanda mats them with cardstock. you don't have to worry about acid free if you're not putting developed photos in there. i print mine on an hp 750 psc (printer/copier/scanner). i use hp printer/ink/paper for best quality. and i use glossy and matte photo paper, depending on my mood. hth. :)

[Amanda]

Yep, I mount on black cardstock for a consistent classy look.

[andyapc]

Until I get a decent home printer (on my ever-growing list of "wants"), I'll still need to go to Kinko's. Amanda, which paper do you use at Kinko's - laser, glossy or matte?

Andrea C.

[Amanda]

I use laser. :)

[andyapc]

I'd love to use the matte or glossy at Kinko's but they were unsure if it was acid/lignen free. I saw Margie's comment above but I still kind of worry about the paper being acid/lignen free, even if I'm not adhering photos on it. Won't the printed layout yellow with age if it's not acid free?

Andrea C.

[Amanda]

um....maybe. but just reprint! ahhh...the beauty of digital!

[DanaZ]

what file format does everyone save in to print at Kinkos?

My local Kinkos told me that I had to save in PDF format. If I brought them in as JPG's then they would charge me a $5.00 reformatting fee. THe PDF's are so huge and I can only fit about 10 of them on a CD. Any comments or ideas????

[Amanda]

If you go to Kinkos.com you can convert files into their format and even upload them from there and just go pick them up. I've never tried it, but some have and they really liked it. I've always just saved mine as JPG and my local Kinko's has never had a problem with it.

[elizabethlmccoy]

Also my kinkos has computers with photoshop onthem. I open my JPGs in photoshop and make sure they fit on the page nicely then print from photoshop....the only additional charge is 30 cents per minute for using the computer. but for the same $ for them to convert it you can spend 16minutes on the computer... Have they offered you that option??

[susan mc]

it may be a local thing, but my Kinkos STINKS! Very rude, ignorant clerks and overpriced yet poor service.

I've had spectacular results from Office Max! They will print any file format and bend over backwards to make my prints perfect.

They even re-printed a page about 6 times until they got the size just right and only charged for one copy, but gave me all the 'goofs'!

They offer several paper options and sometimes run specials. Just a few weeks ago they offerd 8x10 for just .39!

[Margie]

andrea acid reacts with photos, the lignin is what yellows the pages. but most paper is lignin free anyway. you'd have to check yours of course tho. but if you keep your albums in a cool, dark, dry place (like in albums) they'll be fine for ages. Ü

[grindavich]

Hi, seems like some local Kinkos are not customer friendly. I use them sometimes, when I'm lazy or just overwhelmed with jobs, and I submit all my file PSD, plus whatever special fonts I'm using and they have always produced great work. I have also tried Office Max and they too have great customer service, I wouldn't use any place that would not accept my PSD files or TIFFS, I just can't stand the JPEG and PDF comprssion of my Type, it drives me crazy. I have found with some digital businesses, that when they are rud or unwilling to work with the customer, is because they are not knowledgable enough.

[andyapc]

I'm not sure what a PDF file is? I downloaded Kinko's prep took kit. When I want something printed at Kinko's, I select their printer, preview my layout, then save it in my print folder - it's automatically saved in a KDF format (have no idea what that means, but it's the format that allows me to print at Kinko's for less than $2.00 a page), then burn it onto a CD and take it to Kinkos.

Andrea C.

[elizabethlmccoy]

Kinkos format is basically the same as pdf. My only concern is that they told me I had to print mine to kinkos format and I had issue with some areas of my invitation because they were overlapping and the print compression screwed it up.... And it was beautiful before...anywhoo I've had rude kinkos experiences too! Luckily I just got my new Color LASER PRINTER!!! I'm so excited can't wait to hook it up.

[andyapc]

You know, I've only just started printing at Kinko's and I, too, have been met with rude salespeople - maybe not outright rude, but abrupt, curt, etc. I might just try Office Max myself and see how they are.

[amymcj]

THE place to print layouts is Costco. It seems to be my little secret that I will now share. I bring a CD to the one hour center. I have a 12x18 layout I make in PSE2, and on it I can fit a true 12x12 layout and 2 6x6 pages. They print this size for $2.99. The quality is amazing, nothing like you can get from any home printer that I know of. They are even better than the ones I print at work, as a baby photographer at the hospital that sell for 13.95 a page (8 1/2 x 11) Try this, you will be pleased, and you may fall over when you see the quality.

[Amanda]

Great info!!!!!