Print Services
Print services allow purchasers to order prints made from images uploaded by the purchaser or other individual. Products offered vary depending on site. Images uploaded to these types of sites are usually not available to the general public; usually only the photographer or specific clients can view images and order products.
Try one of these sites when you want print versions of your digital photographs, or for sharing photos with friends and family (without exposing them to the rest of the world.) These are also good places to use when looking for personalized gift ideas.
Nations Photo Lab
Snapfish
Shutterfly
ArtsCow
Camera Stores
Camera stores often offer print services. This can be a more convenient option than purchasing online. There may be a store nearby that offers printing services. This can be a good option if you don't (or can't) wait for prints to be shipped.
Some of the sites listed under Print on Demand Services are also good
sites for personalized gifts as they offer the use of images uploaded
by the purchaser in addition to POD Services.
Print on Demand Services
Similar to print services in that POD sites offer prints and other image related products (calendars and greeting cards are common products offered.) The difference from the print service sites listed above is that the images are offered to the general public. Offerings are usually provided by freelance artists and photographers.
Fine Art America/Pixels.com
These are basically the same site. Fine Art America was the original site. Pixels.com was created as a way to expand the products offered without having to redesign the original site. Site has a large library of original work that can be ordered as prints, greeting cards or phone cases.
Pixels.com has recently expanded offerings to include licensing images.
Free members can only show a limited number of images at one time. Paying members get unlimited uploads and some perks, including their own store page.
Zazzle, Red Bubble, Cafe Press
Offer products with images uploaded by various companies and individual artists. Individuals can purchase prints of images they upload or items customized with those uploaded images.
Sites do offer different items and artists/companies offering products on the site. Zazzle partners with many large name companies including Disney, DC and Marvel Comics, National Geographic, etc. This makes Zazzle a good choice for officially licensed items. There are also brands that sell on Cafe Press. (The Peanuts gang being one.)
Good for finding or creating personalized items
Flickr
Recently started offering a service where users could order wall art created from their images. Service has been extended to cover images from other users. Images from the Creative Commons library can be ordered as well as some licensed images. (Creative Commons images includes works from government agencies like NASA.)
Limited products offered, but some of the images available are spectacular.
Museums
Museums often offer print copies of works in their collection. Museum collection prints offer options not available from other sites.
1000 Museums
The Prado
The Museum of London
Museum of the City of NY
(Prints available from images in the museum's online collection as well.)
Magazines
Ever wanted to buy a print copy of an image you saw in a magazine? There are some magazines that sell prints of the images seen in the print version.
Magazine Prints
Exactly what the name implies. A site that sells prints of photos used in magazines. Only covers a limited number of magazines (primarily nature/rural living oriented).
