Create digital prints online
Convert electronic images into album-ready snapshots
Congratulations...you've finally put away the Polaroid and made the jump to digital.
Excellent choice! With today's high-tech, cutting-edge cameras and a copy of Microsoft Windows XP, even amateur shutterbugs can quickly produce eye-catching snapshots that will turn viewers green with envy.
But don't toss that photo album or scrapbook just yet. While it's easy to share electronic images of your family's vacations and get-togethers with friends via e-mail, MSN Spaces, or various online galleries, turning digital pictures into actual photographs is also a breeze.
Many do-it-yourself options exist. However, the easiest way to accomplish the task by far is the same tried-and-true method that has served budding paparazzi for years: just order a set of gloriously glossy prints from the pros at the local lab.
Here's how you can do so from the comfort of your own home with a little help from Internet Explorer and your Windows XP–based computer.
On This Page
Order prints through the wizard in Windows XP
Once you have copied digital pictures to your computer, you can order prints directly from the Online Print Ordering Wizard in Windows XP. Photos may be picked up at a local store or delivered straight to your home.
Requirements
| • | Windows XP |
| • | Digital photo(s) |
| • | Internet connection |
| • | E-mail address |
| • | Credit card |
Local pickup
In a rush? Transfer files over the Internet using Windows XP, and then enjoy same-day pickup at your neighborhood drugstore or camera shop.
To order prints from any one of several local providers:
1. | Using Windows XP, open the folder containing your photos. |
2. | Confirm that you have transferred the appropriate pictures by right-clicking on the folder's background and clicking Thumbnails on the View menu.  View thumbnail images of the pictures that you want to order online. |
3. | On the left side of the window, under Picture Tasks, click Order Prints Online.  Order prints online directly from within Microsoft Windows XP using the Online Print Ordering Wizard. |
4. | The Online Print Ordering Wizard appears. Click Next. |
5. | The Change Your Picture Selection page appears. Choose the pictures that you would like to print by placing a check mark next to the desired photos, and then click Next.  Select the pictures that you want to order by placing check marks next to your desired photos. |
6. | The Select a Printing Company page appears, featuring a list of providers you can retrieve prints from. Choose one with same-day local store pickup and click Next.  Select the printing company that you want to use, depending on your delivery requirements. |
7. | Follow the wizard's prompts to accept terms and conditions, choose in-store pickup, locate a nearby retailer, select print volumes/sizes, enter contact information, provide billing information, and confirm your order.  Indicate the quantities and sizes of prints that you want to order. |
8. | Copies of your photos will now be uploaded to the store for processing. Once finished, be sure to write down the order number that the Online Print Ordering Wizard provides. It may come in handy later.  Your photos are now uploaded to the store for processing. |
9. | Select Finish, and the wizard shuts down. |
10. | Check your Inbox. An e-mail message confirming the transaction should arrive shortly. Another e-mail message will be sent when your prints are ready—often in as little as one hour. |
11. | Go pick up your photos! |
Home delivery
Order prints to arrive at your home or work, or at a friend or family member's place of business or residence within days, right from your keyboard.
To order prints for delivery right to your home or another shipping address:
1. | Repeat steps 1–6 as above. |
2. | The Select a Printing Company page appears, featuring a list of companies that ship prints to your home. Choose any of the available selections (Shutterfly or Kodak's EasyShare Gallery, for example) and click Next. |
3. | Follow the wizard's prompts to sign up for service, choose print volumes/sizes, add messages to the back of photos, enter contact information, provide billing and shipping information, and confirm your order. Thanks to multiple mailing options, photos may arrive as quickly as the next business day.  Review the order for your selected pictures to make sure that sizes and quantities are correct. |
4. | Copies of your photos will now be uploaded to the printing company for processing. Once finished, be sure to write down the order number that the Online Print Ordering Wizard provides. |
5. | Select Finish, and the wizard shuts down. |
6. | Check your Inbox. An e-mail message confirming the transaction should arrive shortly. Another e-mail message will be sent when your prints ship out. |
7. | Relax and enjoy all the time you have saved. Your new prints will arrive safely in the mail within days! |
Order prints through an online vendor
Just as digital photography has exploded in popularity in recent years, so too has the number of online vendors catering to this market grown exponentially.
Such Web sites offer an array of services including online picture sharing, virtual photo albums, the ability to create enlargements and posters, and options for making custom gifts such as mugs, calendars, and t-shirts bearing your photographs.
Each can also be used as a ready source for high-quality prints, which are delivered right to your doorstep. All you need to do is simply upload the images.
Pressed for time? Some companies will even do the work of formatting and transferring files for you. Just send them a CD or memory card, specify the services you'd like, and they'll do the rest. Digital media will then be returned (picture deletion upon printing optional) through regular mail.
Requirements
| • | Windows XP |
| • | Internet Explorer |
| • | Digital photo(s) |
| • | Internet connection |
| • | E-mail address |
| • | Credit card |
Online photo stores
Shop around to see who offers the best value and widest range of features that meet your needs. The following firms represent but a few of the many outlets capable of providing digital photo printing on demand:
Snapfish
Upload your photos personally or send Snapfish floppy disks, CD-ROMs, or flash cards containing treasured snapshots. Prints of all can easily be ordered instantaneously, and the firm also offers online sharing and storage options.
dotPhoto
Daily deals and provisions for creating personalized greeting cards, ornaments, and photo books make dotPhoto an excellent choice for active users, especially around holidays and anniversaries. Bulk printing packages are also available for high-volume customers.
Pixagogo
Design fancy online photo albums or send e-mail postcards featuring your very own pictures. Better still, Pixagogo also lets you maintain your own photoblog and construct snazzy slideshows that show off all your latest prints.
ritzPIX
Ever dreamed of seeing your face on a real U.S. postage stamp? Now you can with ritzPIX, which also lets you order prints for home delivery or same-day pickup from Ritz and Wolf Camera stores.
MyPhotoAlbum
Craft a first-class online picture album—complete with its own easy-to-remember Web address—using hundreds of colors and prepackaged design templates. Anyone (even associates who live overseas) can browse or buy prints from your collection.
 | Scott Steinberg
Get Rich Playing Games author, freelance writer, and radio/TV host Scott Steinberg has covered technology for 400+ outlets from CNN to the LA Times, NY Times, Playboy, Rolling Stone, and TV Guide. For more of his insights, visit him at scottsteinberg.com or gadgetexpert.net, where he highlights the hottest new gadgets and games.
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