If your image requires cropping, there are several different ways to do so.
Online
Use our free Online Albums & Sharing features to crop and edit any image in an album. You can then print directly from your albums!
At Home
Use our free Photo Finale desktop software to organize, enhance, crop and even control your online albums! Photo Finale integrates with our online lab, so you can order prints right from your desktop, or print at home!
How to Order Without Cropping
Most digital cameras capture an image in 4x5.3 proportion, rather than 4x6 proportion like we're used to from 35mm film. It's important to order 4x5.3" prints so that your image isn't cropped to fit a 4x6.
Digital Camera Image 4x5.3"
4x6 print size
4x5.3" Image printed on 4x6"
[Note Cropping]
Knowing your proportions will help you order the correct print size. Visit our cropping guide to see what print sizes work best with your image format.
Knowing the proportion of your image is key to getting the right size print and cropping correctly. Use the guide to see which print sizes work best with your original. Roll-over an image to see how different print sizes crop the image.
35mm film cameras and digital SLR cameras shoot in 4x6 proportion.
Enlargement sizes crop as follows:
Most digital cameras shoot in 4x5.3 proportion.
Order 4x5.3" prints instead of 4x6 to avoid auto-cropping.
All wallets are die-cut to 2.25" x 3.25" with rounded corners.
Allow 1/8th inch on each side to be trimmed.
Request un-cut for full-frame 2.5 x 3.5 inch prints.
Monitor Color
Calibrating My Monitor
Often we don't notice imperfect color until we have something to compare it to. If accurate color is important to you, this information may be useful.
Do I Need to Calibrate?
If you plan on using your monitor to adjust the color of your image, you want an accurate rendition of your digital images, or if you've ever said:
"These photos looked different on my computer than they do in print," then you could stand to gain by calibrating your monitor.
Each monitor has it's own unique fingerprint right out of the box and each changes over time. The only way to correct for these deviances is to use a calibration device, or colorimeter, regularly. The Huey, from Pantone is available in-store for $89.95. This fully automated device measures and profiles your monitor and can also adjust it as ambient lighting conditions shift.
How does it work?
Position the device on your screen and it will do the rest. The tool measures your monitor's color characteristics and its software creates a unique profile for your monitor which is then communicated to your video card to be adjusted to a universal calibrated standard. Now you see what we see.
What else can I do?
There are other ways to adjust your monitor, but none are as effective as the tools mentioned above. To see if you could benefit by calibrating your monitor, pick up our Color Qualification Kit. It's a simple way to measure the difference between what you see on screen, and what we print. And it contains helpful information about color management and what's right for you.
Using My Memory Card
Get the most out of your digital media!
If you're shooting digital, you're entrusting a lot to your memory cards. Just like film, media cards require special attention to ensure that your memories will last. Here are some things you should know about digital flash memory.
Format often. Your memory card contains a table of contents that tells your camera where to put images and your computer where to get them. After deleting an image, the table of contents skips over the deleted parts, but the information remains until your camera puts another image over it. A card's directory can become cluttered from recording and deleting over and over again. Formatting refreshes the card and allows you to begin recording onto a clean slate. If you format the card using your computer, always remember to format it again in the camera before shooting. This puts the camera's native format, or firmware, back on to the card for proper communication.
Be Patient. Saving images takes time. Always make sure that your camera or computer is done accessing your card before removing it. Your camera and computer feed the card power when using it. Cutting this power short, or disturbing it while your card is recording can result in lost images and even corrupt your card. Most cameras and card readers have LED indicators that flash when accessing the memory card. A good rule of thumb is to wait 10 seconds after the LED turns off to remove your card.
Handle with care. With the exception of micro drives, all media cards are solid state. But just because there are no moving parts doesn't mean they can't be damaged. They contain tiny circuit boards that can crack if improperly handled or jostled and they're sensative to heat and cold too. Don't leave your memory card anywhere you wouldn't stay for long periods of time, like a hot car (or cold one) and keep it out of moisture. Most importantly, take care when inserting cards into cameras and computers! Tiny contacts and pins bend very easily if forced, and abuse can damage the pins in your camera or computer, leaving you with a costly bill.
Use it and lose it. Bear in mind that media cards are designed as temporary memory. They're called "flash memory" because they record quickly, but can't hold information indefinitely. Back your images up onto CD often, even if your card isn't full. They're far cheaper per-megabyte than memory cards or your hard drive, and they're permanent and not easily-corrupted. So shoot lots, transfer your memories and format!
It's still photography. Finally, don't forget why you're snapping all these pics to begin with. Memories don't belong on your hard drive or in a CD wallet where you'll never see them again. Print them! Display them! Make slide shows and gallery-worthy enlargements. Try our free Photo Finale software to organize, edit and print your photos. Order true photos online or in-store at the same great prices your used to from film. Enlargements, gifts, announcements and more are just a click away!
Guide to Color Management
Getting Good Color in Print
If your monitor is properly calibrated, then what you see on your screen will closely match the prints you get from our lab. If not, it's best to leave the color correction to us, since every monitor displays color differently. More info: Monitor Calibration
If your monitor is not calibrated, use our Color Qualification Kit to visually note and correct for any differences between your monitor and our prints.
Request a Color Qualification Kit
More Questions?
Contact the lab manager at lab@bobsphoto.net or call (800) 279-4726 or (701) 258-4726 or stop in.
How to Order Prints Online
Turn-around time
Prints up to 8x12: About 4 Hours
Greeting Cards: 1-2 Days
Enlargements: 2-3 Days
A confirmation e-mail is sent to you upon order receipt and upon completion.
No. Anyone can order, just follow the steps. Memberships allow you to create and share online albums and receive additional discounts. Sign up for free.
Quantity discounts are calculated as you order. Price Guide
Billing
Do I need a credit card to order?
A credit card is only required if you'd like your order shipped. Your information is kept confidential, and the credit card transaction is made securely, in-store. If you choose to pick-up your order, no billing information is required.
Can I use my Bob's Photo account?
Yes, but you'll need to contact us for authorization and a few instructions before you'll be allowed to charge online purchases.
Print this form and call us for your account number and a personal contact to fax the form back. (701) 258-4726 (800) 279-4726 FAX (701) 258-0196
Cropping / Printing
Can I crop and edit while I order?
For simplicity, cropping and editing must be done before uploading your image. You can crop and edit your images in an online album and order from there, or download Photo Finale QS (FREE) to crop and edit before your order.
Borders
Available on all sizes except Wallets and SharePrints.
Why are my images cropped when I get them back?
If an image is the wrong proportion, it is automatically cropped to the size you select. To avoid cropping off important subject matter, be sure your image is the correct proportion for the size you're ordering.
Most digital camera use this proportion rather then 4x6, so we have a print size to match. Order 4x5.3 for full-frame, proportionally correct prints that won't crop off important subject. More Info: Proportions FAQ
Can I have my images labeled?
Yes. We automatically print your original filename on the back of each print for easy organizing and reordering.
Upload Speeds, Method
Why does uploading take so long?
Upload speeds are notoriously slower than download, and images can be very large files. Most cable and DSL connections download very quickly, but only support upload speeds of about 128 to 256 kbps, so one photo takes about 30 seconds, depending on your connection.
How can I speed this up?
Download Photo Finale QS (FREE). This desktop software integrates directly with our online lab, and gives you the option to "Write order to CD" which you can drop off on your next visit, to forego uploading altogether and still get low NetOrder pricing. (The CD will contain your images and order information.)
Mac users
Our online lab is fully mac-compatible, however, Photo Finale desktop software is Windows-only.
Other Tips
Designing your own images:
Colors generated in image editing applications (like Photoshop) may fall outside the gamut reproduced by photo printing machines. We recommend proofing images before ordering in quantity.
Printing edge-to-edge:
Photos without borders are enlarged slightly so that they "bleed" off the page. This results in exactly 1.5% (half of the industry's typical 3%) of the image's edge being lost in fall-off, or bleed. Allow for this overlap if you are adding text or effects near the edge, or if important subject matter is near the edge of your image. This is not noticeable with normal digital prints.
What else can I do?
If you're shooting digital, you're entrusting a lot to your memory cards. Just like film, media cards require special attention to ensure that your memories will last. Here are some things you should know about digital flash memory.
