When you want to turn your digital photos into professional-quality prints, Mpix and Printique are two top online printing services. But with different quality options, turnaround times, and features, how do you pick the right service for your needs? This in-depth comparison examines the key differences between Mpix and Printique.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Mpix | Printique |
| Print Quality | Premium paper and inks | Gallery-grade paper, individual printing |
| Products | Wide range including wall art, books, gifts | Focused on prints and some wall art |
| Products | Robust editing tools, free proofs | Streamlined fast-start printing |
| Turnaround Time | 2-3 days standard, 1 day rush | Next day standard |
| Pricing | Low base pricing, packages | Higher base costs |
| Best For | Affordability, customization | Highest-end prints, fast turnaround |
Introducing Mpix and Printique
Mpix
Founded in 2005, Mpix has steadily grown into one of the most trusted online photo printing labs. As a subsidiary of the reputable Miller’s Professional Imaging, Mpix holds itself to high standards of quality and service.
Customers can effortlessly upload their cherished digital memories, selecting from a variety of finishes on premium photo paper.
The seamless user interface combined with state-of-the-art printing technology ensures that every photo is reproduced with precision and vibrancy.
Serving both amateur and professional photographers, Mpix prides itself on delivering outstanding prints that can last for generations.
Printique
Established in 2018, Printique is a relatively new player in the online printing industry. However, they quickly distinguished themselves with their unique approach.
Operating as an online-only, factory-direct-to-consumer service, Printique emphasizes individual attention to each order. This means that every photograph is printed on dedicated printers, ensuring consistency and top-notch quality.
The commitment to using dedicated printers for each order showcases their focus on delivering the finest prints, tailored to the individual’s needs.
Whether it’s a momentous occasion or a simple everyday snapshot, Printique guarantees that every memory is preserved with exceptional clarity and detail.
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Key Differences Between Mpix And Printique
When it comes to preserving cherished memories or displaying masterpieces, the print quality, availability of products, and order process matter immensely.
Mpix and Printique are two renowned photo-printing services, each with its own strengths. Here, we delve deeper into their offerings to understand their distinctive characteristics and offerings.
1. Print Quality
Both Mpix and Printique pride themselves on providing professional-grade print quality.
Mpix uses premium Kodak and Fujifilm paper which has been regarded as some of the best in the industry. The utilization of professional pigment inks ensures that the prints are vivid and stand the test of time.
Their high-resolution lab printing process guarantees sharp images, while the availability of customizable thickness and finish options caters to individual tastes and requirements.
Printique, on the other hand, ensures its prints are on thick, gallery-grade photo paper that exudes luxury. Their fade-resistant professional pigment inks, similar to Mpix, promise longevity.
One standout feature of Printique is their emphasis on individual order printing, which reduces batch variation and ensures that every single print receives meticulous attention. This results in prints that boast sharp details and rich tones.
2. Available Photo Products
The range and type of photo products can enhance or limit one’s creative potential.
Mpix offers a diverse array of products, starting from standard and panoramic photo prints to a myriad of wall art options like canvas, metal, acrylic, and wood.
Beyond this, they have photo books, cards, calendars, gifts, and even the option to have custom photo prints on almost any imaginable product. This wide variety ensures that customers can get exactly what they envision.
Printique primarily focuses on core photo print sizes and wall art. Their offering includes standard photo prints extending to panoramic sizes, canvas prints, glass prints, and aluminum metal prints.
They also provide cards, calendars, and photo books. While they might have a more curated product list, they also offer unique items like puzzles.
Also Read: Comparison Between mpix And Nations Photo Lab
3. Ordering Process
The ease of ordering and the tools available can greatly influence the user experience.
Mpix provides a user-friendly interface where customers can upload their images via the website or a dedicated mobile app. If required, images can be tweaked using built-in editing tools, or customers can edit them beforehand.
Once edited, size, finish, and quantity can be selected. Mpix also offers free proofs, ensuring that customers are satisfied before the final printing. A handy feature is the ability to save default settings, making reorders a breeze.
Printique aims for a swift and efficient process. Customers can submit their high-resolution digital files online, specify their requirements, and even directly message the team for special instructions. Their approach is streamlined for quick printing without any unnecessary delays due to proofing.
4. Turnaround Time
In today’s fast-paced world, how quickly one receives their prints can be crucial.
Mpix offers standard prints that typically ship in 2-3 business days. For those in a hurry, there’s a rush printing option which guarantees shipment in 1 business day, provided they opt for express shipping. However, customers might need to factor in an additional 1-3 days for shipping transit.
Printique, known for their rapid service, ensures most orders are shipped by the next business day. Larger orders might take an extra day. In certain areas, they even offer a shuttle service, ensuring the fastest possible delivery.
5. Pricing and Cost
Pricing often plays a pivotal role in decision-making.
Mpix offers competitive pricing with 4×6 prints starting at just $0.19. For those eyeing bigger prints, 8x10s range from $1.99-$4.49, depending on the paper choice.
Their offering extends to prints up to 60” in length with panoramas commencing at $11.99. They frequently run package deals, making bulk orders more affordable.
Printique, while slightly pricier, justifies its cost with its premium quality. A 4×6 print starts at $0.39. Larger 8×10 prints range from $3.99-$7.99, based on the paper used.
Their panoramas can stretch up to 40” and start from $17.99. While their per-print cost might seem higher, they do offer bundles which can make overall orders more cost-effective.
In conclusion, both Mpix and Printique offer stellar services, and the choice largely boils down to individual preferences and specific needs.
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Pros and Cons
| Mpix | Printique |
| Pros:- Wider range of print products – Great print packages and bundle deals- Robust editing and design tools- Customizable options like thickness- Reorder past purchases easily – Generally affordable pricing | Pros: – Specializes in premium photo paper- Individual print orders avoid batch issues – Streamlined fast turnaround times- Next day shipping standard – Good quality framing options |
| Cons: – Standard shipping can be slow- Proofing adds delays – Limited print sizes for panoramas – Less consistency between batches – Some quality issues reported | Cons: – More limited non-print photo product options- Base prices higher than competitors – Max print size smaller for panoramas – Less customization and design ability – Smaller product selection |
Best For…
Mpix:
- Ordering a range of printed photo gifts
- Affordability and package deals
- Making edits and approving proofs
- Custom prints on clothing/non-paper items
Printique:
- Highest-end photo paper quality
- Fastest speed from order to delivery
- Basic prints without edits needed
- Framing high-quality panoramas
Also Read: You Should Choose Canvas Champ Or Easy Canvas Prints.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For printing the clearest, highest quality large photos, Printique is one of the best options. Their gallery-grade paper and focus on large panoramic sizes makes them ideal for big photo prints.
Both Mpix and Printique are among the best online services for getting digital photos professionally printed and shipped. The quality is far superior to drugstore prints. Mpix offers more product variety while Printique focuses specifically on photo printing.
Yes, Mpix is known for delivering high quality photo prints on par with professional labs. They use pro-level paper and inks to produce gallery-worthy photo prints. Quality may depend somewhat on the specific finish and paper chosen.
Mpix offers several premium paper options including Kodak and Fujifilm brands. Their professional quality paper is thicker than basic printer paper with coating for vivid image saturation and glossy or matte finishes.
The Takeaway
For affordability and customization, Mpix delivers quality prints and products you’ll love. For the fastest premium photo prints, Printique excels with next-day turnaround. Consider your specific printing needs to decide if all-around value or specialized quality is more important.