CVS Photo Printing vs Professional Photo Labs | Quality Comparison

CVS Offers Convenient Photo Printing, But Lacks Pro Quality

In the era of digital photography, printing photos for safekeeping or to share is easier than ever. With a few clicks you can upload images from your phone, camera, or computer and have prints shipped to your door or available for quick pickup. CVS offers this type of convenient photo printing service at thousands of retail locations across the country. But how does the quality compare to that from professional photo printing labs?

The Convenience Factor of CVS Photo Kiosks

The main draw of using CVS photo printing services is the sheer availability and speed that comes along with in-store kiosks. You don’t need to plan ahead, upload files, or wait for shipping. Just stop by any CVS with a photo counter, insert your camera memory card, flash drive, or connect your smartphone, then print instant 4x6, 5x7, or 8x10 photo prints. Some things to know:

• Print sizes are limited compared to pro labs
• Quality varies from store to store and machine to machine
• You must print all copies of a photo at once instead of ordering just 1 to test
• There are typically less customization options for finishing

Pro Photo Printing Offers Higher Quality and Customization

Professional photo printing labs cater more specifically to photographers and creative professionals who sell their printed work. What these businesses lack in convenience, they often make up for in quality, customization options, service, and expertise. Some things pro labs provide that you won’t get from CVS:

• Archival printing on thicker, longer-lasting paper stocks
• Ability to order test prints in lower quantities first
• Higher DPI capability for exceptionally clear enlargements
• Custom mounting, framing, artistic finishing options
• Color calibration and editing services

When CVS Prints Are “Good Enough”

If you just want a few prints of a family gathering or vacation memories to put in an album or stick on the fridge, CVS same-day services are probably all you need. The quality is fairly decent and the prices reasonable. But if preserving your photographic artistry for as long as possible matters, pay attention to these disadvantages of CVS printing:

• Lesser image longevity over time due to lower-grade ink and paper
• Loss of quality when enlarging prints to bigger sizes
• Very limited control over color balancing and exposure editing
• No special finishes like canvas wraps, professional framing etc.

When to Use Professional Printing Instead

Here are the main instances when utilizing a professional photo lab makes more sense than CVS if you actually plan to sell, display, or preserve your prints:

• Printing portrait sessions for clients
• Creating an art photography portfolio
• Crafting prints to include in commercial space decor
• Enlarging images for wall mounting/public display
• Printing legacy family photos you want to last 100+ years

Achieving Photographic Print Longevity

Because CVS lacks some of the advanced printing technology, inks, substrates, and color expertise that professional labs boast, the lifetime of what you print there is limited. Pro prints make use of higher DPI printers, pigment inks, acid-free heavyweight fine art papers, and stringent color management that when combined can create prints that last 100 years without fading or color cast issues under the right display conditions.

CVS prints unfortunately will fade and deteriorate comparatively quicker due to using lower-grade dye-based inks that react more with various elements like UV light. Photos printed at CVS have a much higher likelihood of taking on unwanted color shifts in ambiguously short time periods, especially if improperly stored and displayed.

Printing for Longevity Takes Precision

Photography itself may capture fleeting moments in time, but well-preserved prints of powerful images have the capacity to dazzle viewers and withstand the test of time. CVS photo kiosks simply don’t have the capability to produce such enduring works of photographic art. For that you need patient, skilled craftsmanship and top-shelf materials that professional photo printing labs provide while CVS cannot.

So in summary when choosing CVS prints for their speed and accessibility makes sense over the higher investment of pro photo printing, just don’t expect them to last or look very close to what you envisioned capturing originally. For important portraits, events, artistic compositions and everything in between that you want future generations to still enjoy in all its glory, skip the CVS and go professional if you can.

FAQs

What photo print sizes can I get at CVS kiosks?

The most common print sizes available at CVS photo counters are 4x6, 5x7, and 8x10. Some locations may offer options up to 12x18 prints as well.

Is the print quality at CVS decent?

CVS photo printing kiosks produce fairly decent quality for basic prints, especially in smaller 4x6 and 5x7 sizes. However, enlargements and print longevity tend to be lacking compared to professional labs.

What customization options does CVS provide?

CVS provides basic print customizations like glossy or matte finishes, light saturation and exposure adjustments, and thin black borders around prints. For more impactful options like pro mounting, framing, canvas prints, or retouching, a photography print lab would be better.

Why don't CVS prints last as long?

One major downside to CVS photo kiosks is that their prints fade quicker over time. Because CVS uses lower grade inks, printers, and paper substrates, the final quality and longevity of prints suffers compared to pro labs focused on preservation.