Photo Prints
Photo printing in Tooting, from phone or USB. Standard prints, large photo prints, A4 and A3, with help choosing paper at our Gatton Road counter.
- No design yet? We set up the artwork free of charge when we print the job.
- Tight deadline? Same-day printing is possible on many jobs if your file is ready early. Call to check first.
- Can't get here? Collect from Gatton Road, or have it delivered in the UK for a quoted charge.
Photo printing near you
Phones are full of photos that no one ever sees, and a real print is a different experience. Bring your pictures to Gatton Road on your phone or a USB stick, or send them to us by email. We can print a single photograph or a whole album's worth, from standard sizes up to large prints for the wall. There is no need to wait for a parcel to find out whether the colours are right, and you can talk to someone about which pictures will print best.
Sizes
| Size | Good for |
|---|---|
| 6 x 4 in | Albums and standard frames |
| 7 x 5 in | Small frames and gifts |
| 10 x 8 in | Framed portraits |
| A4 | Display prints and frames |
| A3 and A2 | Large prints for walls |
| A1 and A0 | Very large prints and posters |
For the biggest sizes, also see paper posters, which may be cheaper for display work.
Will my photo print well?
Modern phones usually have enough detail for most sizes, but it depends on how the picture has been handled:
- Use the original file. Pictures sent via WhatsApp or downloaded from social media are often compressed, and can look soft when printed.
- Look at it at 100%. Zoom in on the face. If it looks blurry on screen, it will look blurry in print.
- Crop with care. Photos from phones are often in a 4:3 or 16:9 ratio, which does not match 6 x 4 or A4 exactly, so a small part may be trimmed. Tell us if you want no cropping.
- Dark photos print darker. A phone screen makes pictures look brighter than they will be on paper, so a slight brightening can help.
As a rough guide, you want around 300 dpi at the final size for prints viewed close up, and around 150 dpi for large prints seen from further away.
Paper finishes
- Gloss has punchy colours and a shiny surface, but it shows fingerprints.
- Lustre or satin is a good all-rounder with less glare, which suits framed prints.
- Matt gives a softer look, and suits black and white and portraits.
Ask to see samples if you are printing something important. If you are printing a photograph for a frame, bring in the frame or tell us the inside dimensions, as frame sizes are not always the same as paper sizes.
Old and damaged photos
Have an old photo but no digital copy? We can scan it and then print a new copy, enlarged if you wish. Bring the original, and we will hand it straight back to you. We can sometimes tidy up light damage, but severe fading and tears will still show.
Photo gifts
A favourite picture can be printed on a mug, a keyring, a coaster or a greeting card. If you need a photo for official purposes, please see passport and visa photos.
How long does it take?
Small sets of photos can often be printed while you wait or on the same day. Big prints and large batches may need longer, particularly at busy times such as just before Christmas. Phone 020 8133 4499 if you need to check. Prices depend on the size, the paper and how many you want, and we will confirm your price before printing.
Questions we hear about photo prints
Can you print photos from my phone?
Yes. Bring your phone or send the pictures by email. Use the original image rather than a screenshot for the best quality.
How large can you print a photo?
Up to A0 on our large-format equipment. The quality depends on the original, so we will check the file first.
Can you print photos the same day?
Often, yes, particularly for small sets. Call us first if you need many prints or a very large size.
Can you print old photographs?
Yes. Bring in the original, and we can scan it and print a new copy.
Which paper is best for a framed photo?
Lustre or satin is a good all-rounder because it reduces glare. Matt can also suit black and white images.