Where should I print my digital art prints?

Ready to make your digital print come alive? With this guide to the top printing companies, you’re well-equipped to choose the service that will make your artwork look its very best.

If you’re looking to bring your digital artwork to life, finding the right print service is essential. While local options like Walgreens and Staples Copy and Print offer basic, affordable printing solutions, they often fall short on color accuracy and print quality. For anyone serious about achieving a professional look, online print services offer a far better result. In this article, we’ll walk you through a few recommended services across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Europe, as well as some pros and cons of using big-box stores or home printing.

Top Online Print Services

1. United States: FinerWorks, Mpix, and Posterjack
   FinerWorks and Mpix are well-known for producing high-quality prints that capture details and maintain color accuracy. They offer a variety of paper and framing options to suit different types of artwork, including fine art paper and canvases. Posterjack, another U.S.-based company, is popular for its vibrant colors and sharp image clarity. With its reputation for quality, Posterjack can be slightly more expensive, but it’s a great choice if you're looking for gallery-quality prints.
2. Canada: Posterjack.ca, Pictorem, and Henry’s Photo Centre
   For Canadian artists, Posterjack.ca offers a range of high-quality printing options, including canvases and metal prints. Pictorem is another strong contender, specializing in large-format and custom-sized prints for those aiming for a bold statement piece. Henry’s Photo Centre also provides reliable printing services, though with a focus on photography rather than purely artistic prints. Posterjack.ca stands out for those seeking a balance of quality and cost, while Pictorem is excellent for unique, sizable prints.
3. United Kingdom: The Print Space
   ThePrintSpace.co.uk is a top choice for U.K.-based artists, known for its premium-quality papers and archival prints that truly bring digital art to life. This service supports various print sizes and finishes, all handled with a high degree of professionalism. Their commitment to quality makes them an ideal choice for serious artists looking to create lasting, gallery-ready pieces.
4. Europe: Beyond Print
   Beyond Print offers a fantastic selection of paper and print types, allowing artists throughout Europe to choose from standard prints, canvas, and metal prints. This service is particularly strong in color consistency and high-resolution output, ideal for intricate digital designs or photography. Though pricing can be a bit higher, the quality is well worth it for professional-looking results.

Comparing Big-Box Store Printing
For quick, affordable prints, big-box stores like Staples Copy and Print or Walmart can work in a pinch. However, these options usually involve trade-offs. Staples offers basic prints at a low price, but their quality often falls short, especially for detailed or color-sensitive artwork. Walmart’s photo center has similar limitations; while affordable, colors may appear inaccurate, and paper quality may feel subpar. Shutterfly is another option that balances cost and quality reasonably well, but its paper isn’t archival, so it might not be ideal for fine art.

Printing at Home: Pros and Cons
Printing at home offers control over the process, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Color accuracy can vary greatly depending on your printer and ink, and high-quality prints may demand premium paper. If you have a professional-grade printer and know how to manage colour profiles, home printing can be a feasible option for small projects. However, most artists find that professional print services are more reliable for large or high-quality pieces.

Tips for Successful Prints

• Always send print-ready files rather than links;
• For top quality, investing in a professional online print service is generally the best path. Each of the companies listed above has its strengths, so consider your specific needs—whether that’s affordability, print size, or archival quality—to select the best fit.

It would be interesting to know where you buy yours and your experience with different printing companies, comment below :-).