Printique Vs. Mpix: My In-Depth Comparison As A Serious Photographer

As someone who has printed thousands of photos over the past decade — from client wedding albums to personal travel shots — I have relied heavily on professional labs to turn my digital files into tangible keepsakes.

In this article, I put Printique and Mpix side by side, two of the most respected names in pro-level photo printing, to help you decide which one deserves your next order. I share my real experiences with their print quality, pricing, options, and service to give you a clear picture of where each shines and where they fall short.

Key Differences Between Printique And Mpix

Both services deliver professional results far above consumer options, but they cater to slightly different needs.

• Print Quality and Color Science Printique excels with true photographic paper that gives a classic lab look, especially strong on skin tones and subtle gradients. Mpix counters with vibrant archival papers and expert calibration that make colors pop without looking artificial. In my side-by-side tests, Mpix often wins on saturation and sharpness, while Printique feels more neutral and true-to-file.
• Product Range and Specialty Items Printique offers more variety in wall decor — think acrylic, glass, and standout mounts that make bold statements. Mpix focuses on practical, client-friendly products like cards, gifts, and handcrafted albums that sell well in portrait and wedding businesses.
• Pricing and Value Printique generally edges out on cost for larger prints and specialty items, especially with promotions. Mpix charges a bit more upfront but delivers exceptional value through speed, free shipping thresholds, and consistent quality that reduces reprints.
• Turnaround and Shipping Mpix wins hands-down for speed — I have received orders in under three days total. Printique is fast too, especially on the East Coast, but Mpix feels more predictable nationwide.
• Packaging and Presentation Printique’s rigid boxes and protective corners set the gold standard. Mpix packages well, but I have seen minor corner dings more often.
• Customer Experience and Support Mpix gets endless praise for responsive, helpful support and their satisfaction guarantee. Printique offers solid service, especially through their Pro program, but it can feel less personal.
• Best Use Cases Choose Printique when you need fine art displays, metal prints, or premium albums for gallery sales. Go with Mpix for high-volume client prints, quick proofs, cards, and gifts where speed and reliability matter most.

My Experience With Printique

I first turned to Printique years ago when it was still AdoramaPix, and I have ordered everything from small wallets to large metal prints. What keeps me coming back is the sheer professionalism baked into every product.

Key Features of Printique

• True silver halide photographic paper for most prints, which gives that classic lab-developed look I grew up loving.
• Extensive wall decor options — metal, acrylic blocks, glass prints, wood, and standouts — that make my landscape photos pop in ways standard paper never could.
• Layflat photo books and albums with seamless spreads, perfect for wedding or portrait work.
• Giclee fine art printing on archival papers for gallery-quality reproductions.
• Printique Pro membership that offers better pricing and priority support for frequent users.
• Local production in New York with pickup locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan when I need something same-day.
• Easy upload tools and decent design software for books and cards.

I remember ordering a 20×30 metal print of a sunset from Iceland. The colors were rich without being oversaturated, and the white gloss finish made the highlights glow. The packaging was bulletproof — thick cardboard and corner protectors that survived cross-country shipping without a scratch.

Pros of Printique

• Unmatched print quality that feels truly professional Every time I open a box from Printique, I’m reminded why I keep coming back—the colors are spot-on, the sharpness is incredible, and there’s a depth to the prints that makes my images look like they belong in a gallery. Their true silver halide process on photographic paper delivers that classic lab-developed richness I’ve loved since film days, especially for portraits where skin tones stay natural and subtle gradients in landscapes hold up beautifully without banding or muddiness.
• Incredible packaging that protects your art like nothing else Printique sets the standard here with rigid cardboard boxes, foam inserts, and corner protectors that ensure even large metal prints arrive flawless after rough shipping handling. I’ve shipped pieces cross-country multiple times, and they’ve always arrived in perfect condition—no bent corners, no scratches, nothing that forces a reprint.
• Huge variety of specialty wall decor options If you’re into making statements on walls, Printique dominates with metal prints that glow under light, acrylic blocks with insane depth, glass prints that feel modern and luxurious, wood mounts for an organic vibe, and standouts that float off the wall. I ordered a 30×40 metal of an Aurora shot, and the way the whites pop against the glossy surface still blows clients away when they see it in person.
• Premium photo books and albums built to last Their layflat books with seamless panoramas and thick pages feel like heirlooms—perfect for wedding albums where every spread needs to impress. The cover options, from leather to custom image wraps, add that extra touch of class that elevates the whole presentation.
• Fine art giclee printing for gallery work When I need archival reproductions on textured cotton papers, Printique’s giclee options deliver museum-level quality with inks that won’t fade for generations. It’s my choice for limited-edition sales because the texture and color fidelity make buyers feel like they’re getting real art.
• Competitive pricing on larger and specialty items While not the cheapest for small runs, Printique often undercuts others on big metals, acrylics, or fine art pieces, especially with promotions or their Pro membership discounts that stack up savings for frequent orders.
• Local New York production with pickup options Being based in NYC means faster turnaround for East Coast folks, and the ability to pick up in Brooklyn or Manhattan has saved me on tight deadlines more than once—no waiting for shipping when a client needs something yesterday.
• Consistent reliability with few reprints needed Over hundreds of orders, I’ve rarely had issues that required customer service intervention because the output matches my calibrated files so closely right out of the gate.
• Strong color accuracy for demanding work In side-by-side tests, Printique nails tonal range and neutrality better than most, which is crucial for my portrait and fine art clients who notice even slight shifts in skin or shadow detail.

Cons of Printique

• Standard print pricing can add up quickly for high-volume orders compared to some competitors.
• The website interface feels a bit dated in places, especially when designing complex projects.
• No automatic color correction on all products — you have to know your files are ready.
• Shipping costs can sting on smaller orders without promotions.
• Fewer whimsical gift options compared to more consumer-oriented labs.

Also Read: Comparison of Mpix And Shutterfly.

My Experience With Mpix

Mpix entered my workflow when I needed faster turnaround for client proof prints, and it quickly became my go-to for everyday orders. Their reputation among photographers is well-earned.

Key Features of Mpix

• Archival-certified papers with options like E-Surface (classic glossy), deep matte, and metallic for extra punch.
• Handcrafted photo albums, including genuine leather signature books that feel luxurious.
• Free color correction on certain products like wallet prints.
• Wide range of photo gifts — puzzles, blankets, ornaments, mugs — that clients love.
• Over 30 standard print sizes with vibrant, true-to-life results.
• In-house color experts who calibrate everything meticulously.
• Satisfaction guarantee that they actually honor without hassle.
• Extremely user-friendly website and ordering process.

One order that stands out: I sent a batch of senior portraits on their E-Surface paper. The skin tones were natural, the details sharp, and the slight texture gave them that traditional lab feel my clients request.

Pros of Mpix

• Lightning-fast turnaround that keeps clients happy Mpix consistently ships in 48 hours or less for most orders, which has saved my bacon on rushed client proofs and holiday card deadlines—I’ve had packages arrive in under three days total, door to door.
• Outstanding value, especially with promotions and free shipping Hitting that $35 threshold for free standard shipping is easy, and their frequent sales make high-quality prints feel like a steal compared to pure premium labs.
• Vibrant, punchy prints with excellent sharpness Their archival papers and expert calibration give colors that pop beautifully, especially on metallic or E-Surface finishes where highlights sparkle and details stay crisp—great for images that need that extra wow factor.
• User-friendly website and ordering process Everything flows intuitively: quick uploads, easy cropping, straightforward product selection—no fighting outdated tools here, which makes late-night ordering sessions much less stressful.
• Top-tier customer service and satisfaction guarantee They truly stand behind their work; any rare issue gets fixed fast with reprints or refunds, no hassle, and their support team feels genuinely helpful and photographer-savvy.
• Wide selection of client-pleasing gifts and cards From ornaments to puzzles, blankets to boutique packaging, Mpix makes it easy to offer upsells that families love, boosting my sales without extra effort.
• Handcrafted albums with luxurious feel Their signature books, especially leather covers, look and feel expensive while staying more affordable than ultra-premium options—clients rave about the quality.
• Consistent reliability trusted by countless pros With thousands of positive reviews, Mpix delivers predictable results order after order, reducing the stress of wondering if prints will match expectations.
• Free color correction on select products For things like wallets or standard prints, their experts tweak density and contrast, which helps when you’re sending straight-out-of-camera files under time pressure.
• Great packaging that arrives ready to present Sturdy boxes and careful wrapping mean prints show up flat and protected, often with that nice tissue paper touch for client deliveries.

Cons of Mpix

• Pricing runs slightly higher than some pro labs for basic prints.
• Fewer ultra-premium wall display options compared to specialized fine art labs.
• Photo books, while excellent, do not always match the luxury feel of higher-end competitors.
• Occasional delays during peak seasons, though rare.
• Less emphasis on giclee or fine art papers for gallery work.

Which One Do I Reach For Most Often?

After years of ordering from both, I keep both in my toolkit. Mpix gets the majority of my everyday work because of its speed and consistency. Printique is my choice when I need something special — a metal print for a client wall or a layflat album that screams luxury.

Also Read: Comparison of Happy Tiles And Mixtiles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Thoughts: Choosing What’s Right For You

I have spent countless hours uploading files, waiting for packages, and holding fresh prints in my hands. Both Printique and Mpix deliver results that make my photography look its absolute best. If you value speed, consistency, and client-pleasing extras, you will love Mpix as much as I do.

If your work leans toward fine art displays and premium wall pieces, Printique might become your new favorite. Whichever you try first, start with a small test order — you will quickly see why these two labs dominate the professional space.

Your photos deserve nothing less.