printing 12x12 money saving tips for Costco!!!

[caulensmom]

Hey girls! I know a lot of you know this already but I wanted to share.

Last year I did a christmas scrapbook for each grandparent. The total was 38 pages per scrapbook. It cost me a little over 100 dollars to print all those pages out per run. So about 220 when all the printing was said and done.
Inbetween last year and now I found out that you can get 3 12x12s printing on a 12x36 spread at costco for 4.99 per page. I hadnt acutally done it yet since I havent printed anything until just today but I had 40 pages total this year for the grandparents scrapbook. It only cost me $67.00 total with tax.
I saved a little over 50 dollars. I just basically gave myself a 50% off cupon!! lol Since these books are full of memories of the year some of the pages have anywehre from 20-30 photos on them. So I consider this an amazing deal.

Tips that I found out when having them printed this way.

1. Make sure you create a 12x36 blank document in photoshop first.
2. place three full resolution 12x12 pages onto the 12x36 document. You dont need to leave room for bleeding as you will find out there is none. They still print out perfectly and do not get cropped off.
3. Make sure you save your 12x36 page at the highest resolution or quality. I have all my pages preset to a 300dpi resolution and save them at 12 quality.
4. When you upload your 12x36 pages to costco you will find there is not 12x36 option on their list of photo sizes. Choose the 12x18 size and call the Costco where you sent your images in to be printed at least 15 mintues after you send your order in and let them know you would like them printed on a 12x36 page. If they know their job they will know exactly what you are talking about.
Your total cost wont be what the website tells you. Just know that each 12x36 page is 4.99 and do the math from there.

I go to the West Valley Costco to get mine printed and they do a fantastic job. Let me know if anyone has questions, but since we are all in money saving mode, well at least I am, this was just a present all in itself to learn.

[meccles]

I've uploaded projects to Costco (4x6s, 12x12s) and they don't come out right. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. How do you set up your page of a 12x12 so it actually prints everything you design on your page?

[caulensmom]

Originally Posted by meccles

I've uploaded projects to Costco (4x6s, 12x12s) and they don't come out right. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. How do you set up your page of a 12x12 so it actually prints everything you design on your page?

What on your page is not coming out right? I just set my document up in photoshop as 12x12 at a 300dpi resolution. Small amounts get cut from the very borders of the 12x12s but nothing noticeable except from my eye.

My recommendation would be to start with an oversized document. So maybe instead of 12x12 set it as a 12.3x12.3 and make sure you create guides all around that padding and design your page as a 12x12 not to let any graphics go outside of those guides except your background paper. Then all your grapchis wont get cut if they are right up to the border of the guide. Your giving yourself some cushion when they cut them for you.

Does that help?

[montmeag]

I tried this once and the girl said my file was too big and that I had to lower my resolution to 200. I thought that was weird. Granted, I took them in on a CD, I didn't upload them.

[caulensmom]

Originally Posted by montmeag

I tried this once and the girl said my file was too big and that I had to lower my resolution to 200. I thought that was weird. Granted, I took them in on a CD, I didn't upload them.

Oh thats good to know. I just upload them because its faster for me. lol

I think to upload all 13 pages of 12x36 at the full resolution took about 15 minutes? We have really good upload and download speed at our casa since shane needs it for his side work and it REALLY helps for my work.

If I remember I will call Costco and ask them if bringing your pages in on a disc would have to qualitfy for a lower resolution. Doesn't make any sense to me though.

[LucyLu]

i have uploaded all sizes at Costco ( I have done posters)and have never had a problem with the resolution or with items missing ...

Amy I did a bound 12x12 book at Winkflash for 45.00 plus shipping it was 37 pages. I am happy with it ... With Winkflash they sometimes will crop the edge a bit so you just have to keep that in mind when making the layout

[CraftyChristie]

I do all my 12x12 prints at Costco and love it.... but I had NO idea about this 12x36 thing!!! I will have to check with my local Costco and ask them if they do that... if so I am ALL over it! Thanks so much for the tip!!!

[caulensmom]

np!

[halfdozen]

I like www.scrappingsimply.com better than Costco and they're having a sale this weekend. Check out their website for free shipping if you spend $20 or free shipping + 10% off if you spend $50.

[supermombritt]

I will have to give them a try.

[Angie I]

Question--do you have to have a membership to costco to use the photo lab. I am sure you do just thought I would ask.

[Kelli West]

yes you do

[halfdozen]

You can borrow mine!