Print photos by mail
The nostalgia! Printing photos by mail was a popular service in the past, especially before the widespread use of digital cameras and online photo printing services. Here's a brief overview:
How it worked:
- You would send your film rolls or developed prints to a photo printing service via mail.
- The service would develop the film or scan the prints, and then print the photos on paper or other materials.
- The printed photos would be mailed back to you, often with a personalized envelope or package.
Popular photo printing by mail services:
- Kodak: Kodak was one of the most well-known photo printing services, offering a range of printing options, including glossy, matte, and sepia tones.
- Polaroid: Polaroid was famous for its instant film cameras, but they also offered a mail-in photo printing service.
- Snapfish: Snapfish was a popular online photo printing service that also offered a mail-in option.
- Shutterfly: Shutterfly was another well-known online photo printing service that offered a mail-in option.
Why it's less common today:
- Digital cameras and online photo printing services: With the rise of digital cameras and online photo printing services, the need for mail-in photo printing services decreased.
- Convenience: Online photo printing services offer faster turnaround times and more convenient options, such as printing photos from your phone or computer.
- Cost: Mail-in photo printing services often had higher costs due to the physical process of developing and printing photos.
Still available today:
While mail-in photo printing services are less common, some companies still offer this service. For example:
- The Darkroom: A UK-based company that offers a mail-in photo printing service using traditional film development techniques.
- The Impossible Project: A company that specializes in reviving Polaroid film and offers a mail-in photo printing service.
If you're looking for a unique and nostalgic way to print your photos, you might consider using a mail-in photo printing service. However, keep in mind that the turnaround time and cost may be higher compared to online photo printing services.