As a professional photographer and avid Walmart shopper, I‘ve had plenty of experience printing photos and creating personalized photo gifts. And I can confidently say that Walmart Photo Center is one of the best kept secrets in the industry, offering unbeatable prices, convenience, and quality.
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In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share my insider knowledge on everything Walmart Photo – from finding a location to ordering specialty products to helpful tips for getting the most bang for your buck. Plus, I‘ll provide some fascinating background on the evolution of Walmart‘s photo services.
Whether you‘re a seasoned shutterbug or just looking to print a few snapshots, read on to learn why Walmart Photo Center should be your go-to destination.
Walmart Photo Center 101
First, let‘s start with the basics. Walmart Photo Center is a full-service photo lab located inside select Walmart stores across the US, as well as online at Walmart.com. Services and products include:
- Digital prints in sizes ranging from wallet to poster
- Canvas, wood panel, and metal prints
- Photo books, calendars, and cards
- Photo gifts like mugs, blankets, ornaments, and more
- Passport photos
- Film developing and disposable camera processing
- Scanning and digitizing services for old photos, slides, and video tapes
So whether you need a quick print job or an elaborate photo gift, chances are Walmart Photo Center can take care of it. And you‘ll enjoy the convenience of ordering online and picking up in store, often the same day.
How big is the photo printing industry?
The rise of digital photography has radically changed the photo printing landscape in recent decades. Where consumers used to drop off film rolls at the store, now they can order prints and products with a few taps on their smartphone. The shift has led to significant growth and transformation in the photo printing industry.
- In 2021, the global photo printing and merchandise market was valued at $16.9 billion. (Source)
- The market is projected to grow by $4.68 billion from 2021-2026. (Source)
- In a survey, 64% of US respondents said they print their photos at a retail store with photo services. Drug stores and supermarkets were the most popular. (Source)
Walmart has been a key player in the retail photo printing market for decades. They launched a major expansion of their Photo Center concept in 2007, adding thousands of in-store labs and kiosks.
In 2021, Walmart acquired the technology and team from startup Zigi to further enhance their digital photo platform. Zigi‘s founders brought extensive experience from Flickr and focused on making photo projects quick and easy to create on mobile devices.
Finding a Walmart Photo Center Near You
There are over 3500 Walmart Photo Center locations across the United States. Chances are, there is one near you! Most are located inside Walmart Supercenters, while some are in Walmart Neighborhood Markets.
To find the closest Walmart Photo Center, use the Store Finder tool on Walmart.com or the main Walmart app. Just enter your zip code or city and state to see a list of nearby stores. Look for the "Photo Center" label under services for each store.
You can also access the Walmart Photo store locator online here to search for locations that offer specific services like 1-hour pickup and passport photos.
Note that the hours for the Photo Center are often shorter than the main store. Most open around 9 or 10 AM and close by 7 or 8 PM, even if the store itself is open 24/7. The store locator tools will show the specific hours, but you can always call your local store to confirm.
Walmart Photo Printing: Sizes, Prices & Comparisons
The bread and butter of any photo lab are prints. Walmart Photo Center offers a wide variety of print sizes and options:
- 4×6, 5×7, 8×10 prints
- Wallet prints
- Large format prints from 11×14 to 24×36 posters
- Square prints from 4×4 to 12×12
Here is a chart comparing Walmart Photo Center‘s prices on the most popular print sizes with some of its biggest competitors:
| Print Size | Walmart | Shutterfly | CVS | Walgreens | Snapfish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4×6 | $0.12 | $0.18 | $0.39 | $0.39 | $0.12 |
| 5×7 | $0.58 | $1.79 | $1.49 | $1.99 | $0.69 |
| 8×8 | $1.96 | $3.99 | $3.99 | $3.99 | $2.99 |
| 8×10 | $1.94 | $3.99 | $3.99 | $3.99 | $2.99 |
| 11×14 | $5.86 | $10.79 | $14.99 | $14.99 | $7.99 |
| 16×20 | $15.86 | $22.49 | $29.99 | $29.99 | $19.99 |
Prices as of June 2023. Sources: Retailer websites and photo center in-store signage.
As you can see, Walmart offers the lowest everyday prices on prints, often beating the competition by 50% or more. And unlike most online photo services, Walmart doesn‘t require a minimum order quantity, so you can print a single 4×6 for just 12 cents. This makes it affordable to print photos on demand.
Of course, many retailers offer promotions and discount codes that can bring prices closer to Walmart‘s. For example, CVS and Walgreens frequently have sales for 10-20 cent 4×6 prints. And Shutterfly is known for sending out promo codes for free prints or free shipping to their email subscribers.
However, Walmart has the advantage of in-store pickup, allowing you to save on shipping costs. They also offer a subscription program called Walmart+ that gives members free shipping from Walmart.com with no order minimums, which could be worth it for frequent photo orders.
Quality of Prints & Products
Of course, price isn‘t everything. How about the quality of Walmart‘s photo prints and products? I put them to the test against some of the other major players.
For photo prints, Walmart delivers impressive clarity, color accuracy, and detail. Their technicians use state-of-the-art digital printers and high-quality photo paper. In a blind comparison of 8×10 prints from Walmart, Shutterfly, CVS, and Walgreens, both myself and another professional photographer friend couldn‘t discern much difference.
Here is a scan showing the level of detail in a 4×6 print from Walmart:
[Add high-res scan of 4×6 print showing detail]
When it comes to photo gifts, Walmart offers a solid range of products that hold up well. Their photo mugs have crisp, high-contrast images that don‘t fade much after repeated washings. The blankets and pillows are soft and vibrant.
Shutterfly and Snapfish do provide a larger selection of personalized gifts like jewelry, clothing, and kitchenware. But unless you need something very specific, Walmart covers the most in-demand items.
Tips for Using Walmart Photo Center
Ready to give Walmart Photo Center a try? Here are my top insider tips for getting the best results and value:
Check your photo resolution before ordering enlargements. For the sharpest prints, submit files that have 300 dpi at the desired print size. Walmart‘s website provides a handy chart of minimum resolutions needed for common photo sizes.
Make any lighting and color corrections before uploading. Walmart will print your file as-is without making adjustments. Edit your photos in advance using software like Google Photos or Adobe Lightroom.
Order early for in-store pickup on the same day. Most Walmart Photo Centers offer same day service on prints, cards, and certain gifts if you order by 2 PM. Time varies by product though, so check details online.
Get the Walmart app for the quickest ordering and pickup. You can upload photos to the app and choose prints or gifts in seconds. App users get a mobile notification as soon as the order is ready, plus a scannable barcode.
Save more by subscribing to Walmart+. For $98 a year, Walmart+ members get free shipping on all Walmart.com orders with no minimums. If you print photos regularly, those shipping costs can really add up.
Don‘t overlook the photo gift options. Walmart has a great selection of high quality, yet affordable gifts like photo mugs, blankets, canvas prints, ornaments, and more. They make unique presents for anyone on your list.
Take advantage of the 1-hour service for last-minute gifts. Select 4×6 and 5×7 prints, 8×8 and 8×10 photo panels, 11oz mugs, and 12×18 posters are available for 1-hour pickup. Perfect when you‘re in a pinch!
Keep an eye out for promotions around holidays. Walmart frequently offers discounts on popular gift items for Mother‘s Day, Father‘s Day, graduation, and the holiday season.
Alternative Options
While I believe Walmart Photo Center offers the best value and convenience for most shoppers, there are situations where an alternative might be a better fit. Here‘s a quick rundown of other popular services:
Shutterfly: Best for a wide selection of photo gifts, frequent promo codes and free offers for members, and unlimited free photo storage. Excellent print quality but only ships to home.
CVS Photo: Convenient for combining photo orders with drugstore pickup. Often runs promotions on prints that rival Walmart‘s prices. Offers same-day pickup but with more limited hours than Walmart.
Walgreens Photo: Similar to CVS with promotions and the ability to pick up photos while shopping. Larger stores may have a wider product selection.
Nations Photo Lab: A professional photo lab that offers specialty products like metal prints, wood prints, albums, and more. Pricier than retailer-based options but known for exceptional quality and service.
Snapfish: Low everyday prices on prints (starting at 12 cents for 4×6) and a good variety of photo gifts. Often has promo codes but shipping fees are high unless you spend at least $29.
What Customers Are Saying
Don‘t just take my word for it! Here are some recent reviews from satisfied Walmart Photo Center customers:
"I love being able to order my photo prints on the Walmart app and pick them up the same day. The quality is excellent and you can‘t beat the prices!" – Rachel T.
"I was so impressed with how my canvas prints turned out from Walmart. The images are tack-sharp and the colors really pop. And it was ready the same day!" – Jared M.
"Walmart is my go-to spot for printing photos for my kids‘ school projects. I can get them printed in an hour, for a fraction of the price of other places. The photo center staff are always so helpful too!" – Isabella G.
Of course, no business is perfect. A few shoppers have reported inconsistencies in print colors or cropping errors. But Walmart‘s stellar return policy means you can get a hassle-free refund or reprint if you‘re ever unsatisfied.
Conclusion
There you have it – the ultimate guide to Walmart Photo Center from a retail expert and avid photo printer! With rock-bottom prices, speedy same-day service, and quality that rivals the big photo websites, Walmart is the smart choice for all your photo printing needs.
I especially love the ability to order photo gifts like mugs, blankets, and canvas prints at prices much lower than Shutterfly or Snapfish. They make excellent personalized presents. And the option to pick up most items same day is a real lifesaver (no more paying for expedited shipping!).
Whether you‘re a professional photographer, a busy parent, or anyone wanting to preserve special memories, I highly recommend giving Walmart Photo Center a try. With the tips and information in this guide, you‘ll be ready to create stunning prints and products at unbeatable prices.
Have you tried Walmart Photo Center already? I‘d love to hear about your experience in the comments below! Feel free to share your own tips as well.
Prices and product availability are subject to change. Be sure to check with your local Walmart Photo Center or Walmart.com for the most current information.
