Printing Your Printable Art

Important: be sure your printer does not apply automatic color or exposure correction to files before printing. This usually isn't an issue - but certain places like Costco have this option checked by default in their print interface - just be sure to uncheck that option. 👍

What is printable art?

Printable art is a super inexpensive way to get high quality art instantly by cutting out the "middle man" and without paying for shipping and waiting for days for your prints to arrive. You can print on a home desktop printer or upload to an online or local print service. You get ultimate flexibility in choosing your print size, print surface (paper, canvas, wood, etc.) and framing choices!

 

How does it work?

If you've ever had a personal photo from your phone digital camera or computer printed, you're all set with the concept of printable art! 

1. Purchase your art from The Crown Prints. Save 30% automatically when you add 3 or more regularly-priced items to your cart. Discounts are applied at checkout.

2. After payment, you'll be directed to a confirmation page with links to download each design you've purchased. You'll also receive an email containing a link to download your files. Please check your spam/junk folder if you're unable to find the email.

3. All files are conveniently located on Dropbox (no account required). At Dropbox, you'll find a selection of high-resolution files in various print sizes. Print sizes are indicated in each filename. Download any or all of these files to your computer or mobile device.

4. Once downloaded, you can then print out your files on your home or office printer, upload them to an online service, or email your files to a local print shop. All of my designs work well on a variety of print surfaces - paper, card stock, wood, canvas, etc.! Personal use only - commercial reselling is not permitted.

 

What sizes can I print?

Each product listing description contains the available JPG print dimensions for that design. Generally, every design can be printed from sizes as small as 4"x6" or A5 all the way up to 24"x36" and A0. All designs from The Crown Prints are high-resolution 300 dpi JPG files in RGB color mode, which is a standard requirement from most professional print services.

 

Where do you recommend I take my files for printing?

If you're in the U.S. or Canada and uploading to an online service and you're not in a hurry, I recommend Finerworks.com or Persnicketyprints.com. Framebridge.com will also print your files and frame them for you as well. Locally in the U.S., Staples, Walgreens, FedEx Kinko's, Costco, Walmart, etc., will all print your files for you. If you should encounter any issues with using these services, please let me know and I'll help troubleshoot.

In store printing service suggestions:
- In the U.S.: Staples, FedEx Kinko's, Walgreen's, Walmart, Target, Costco
- In Canada: Staples, Walmart, Costco (for Costco advice, see https://snaphappymom.com/print-better-at-costco/)
- In the U.K.: Boots
- In Australia: Officeworks and Harvey Norman: PRINT INSTRUCTIONS
- In New Zealand: Harvey Norman

What kind of paper do you recommend?

This is really a personal choice, but I tend to prefer heavyweight matte paper for my fine art prints. Many office supply stores offer high quality heavyweight matte photo paper that will work well with your desktop printer. You can also use satin, semi-gloss or glossy paper for your prints, which would work particularly well for full color photographic prints.


Can I use your designs for commercial purposes?

All of my designs are for personal use only, and should not be used for commercial purposes or free distribution. Online and personal sharing of these files is strictly prohibited.


What is your return/refund policy?

If your digital files have not yet been downloaded, you are eligible for a full refund of your printable purchase. If you've ordered purchased prints and they arrive damaged, please contact me at jenny[at]thecrownprints[dot]com and share a photo of the damage so that I may get new prints out to you ASAP.


Printing at home or at the office:

I recommend using smooth cardstock or heavyweight photo paper for your prints - glossy, semi-gloss, satin or matte selections are matters of personal preference, but I tend to prefer matte paper for most of my prints, as it is less likely to contribute to glare and reflection when framed.

When printing your files, be sure your printer's settings are set to print at "original size" or 100% to ensure proper sizing. If there's a "quality" setting, select the highest available. In the paper selection option, select the appropriate option for your selected paper.

Color management: Please be sure your printer's color management/color correction is disabled before printing, or you may end up with a color cast especially in white areas of your print. Here are some guidelines:

- Epson: Set Color Management to “None”, “Off” or “No Color Management”. Depending on the driver and version, you may need to select "ICM" before seeing any of these choices. Also make sure that the "print preview" option is NOT checked, or you may end up with a magenta cast to your print.

- Canon: the naming of the control may not always be consistent, but it will generally be “Off” or “None”

- HP: Set color management to “Application Managed Color”. Depending on the driver and version, you may need to select ICM before seeing this choice.




PRINTING AT STAPLES STORES (U.S. and Canada customers):

I've been really pleased with the quality of Staples prints, where you can get very inexpensive same day prints if ordering before 2 PM (with a small rush fee).

For same-day/in-store 4x6", 5x7", 8x10" or 8.5x11" prints on matte paper: 

  • Select Staples' "copy and print services - color" option.
  • Select the 110lb. white cover/card stock option for best results.
  • The current price (in USD) as of March 31, 2017 is just 67 cents per print.
  • When picking up your order, be sure to review your prints - if there are any print issues, the staff should be happy to reprint your order for you.
  • Make sure the "fit content to paper" checkbox is UNCHECKED if you're uploading a file with a print size of less than 8.5"x11"

For same-day/in-store 11x14", 16x20" and 20x30" on semi-gloss photo paper:

  • Select Staples' "photo enlargements" option.
  • Choose your print size
  • The utility will automatically resize and crop your uploaded file to fit the dimensions of the paper. If your file print size doesn't match the paper size, choose the first file print size that's larger than the paper size (it's better to reduce images than to enlarge, in general).

For larger same-day/in-store prints - printed on 12x18", 18x24" or 24x36" matte paper (you can trim to your desired size afterward):

  • Select Staples' "Oversized Color Prints" option.
  • On the media tab, select your paper size (select the paper size closest to your final print size). I recommend any of the sizes in the "White Standard HWT" option.
  • UNCHECK the "fit content to paper" option unless the paper size is the same as your desired final print size and you don't intend to trim the paper.

To print larger sizes: 

  • Select Same Day poster option. 
  • Their available sizes are rather limited - 12x18", 18x24" and 24x36". Your file will automatically be resized and cropped to fit these dimensions. You'll be shown a preview image. so you can decide if this is acceptable.
  • I recommend going with their super heavyweight 140 lb. matte finish option, or the semi-gloss 140 lb. medium sheen option for best results.


PRINTING AT FEDEX KINKO'S STORES (U.S. and Canada customers):

FedEx Kinko's is another great option for fast, same-day prints.
To print 8x10" or 8.5x11" files at FedEx Kinko's:

  • First upload your file using their print utility on their website. 
  • Once uploaded, you will probably receive a message stating "this file contains a non-standard print size," so you'll want to click the "review options" button. Select "Letter - 8.5x11" for your print size. This will enlarge the 8x10 image slightly since FedEx automatically prints to fill the page. 
  • Then, continue on to your print options. The only thing you have to do here is select your paper. Under "Paper Selection," choose "Card and Cover Stocks" and then "Ultra Bright White (Card)" for best results. 
  • The current price as of this posting is $1.24 USD. 

To print 11x14" files:

  • Select "Tabloid - 11x17" for the print size. 
  • Select the 80lb. laser paper option (this is the heaviest weight they currently offer in this size).

To print larger sizes (16x20" and above):

  • Select the poster printing option. The available sizes are 16x20, 18x24, 22x28, 24x36, and 36x48. 
  • Again, the software will automatically scale your file to fit the page size. The results are really nice and usually available the same day as you place your order.


Printing at Walgreens (U.S. customers):

Walgreens is my favorite location for same-day pickup of prints/posters in 11x14, 12x18, 16x20, 20x30 and 24x36 sizes.

  • Their paper texture for posters is a nice satin - not quite matte, but not slippery smooth/gloss either. 
  • Walgreens often has coupons for photo printing, so check the site before purchasing online. My local Walgreens here in New Hampshire has my posters ready within 30 minutes of ordering! 
  • Their 8x10 prints also look great, though the only paper option is glossy paper for same-day pickup.


Non-U.S. customers:

If you're a non-U.S. customer located in Canada, UK, Australia or New Zealand and interested in reviewing your local print options, please get in touch - I'd love to talk about working with you to help get this information to my customers.