We’re passionate about preserving memories through printed photos, so we put two popular photo printing services to the test: Target Photo and Amazon Prints. To provide you with a clear comparison, we ordered the same set of 10 photos from both, meticulously scanned each print, and compiled this comprehensive guide to help you decide which service best meets your photo printing needs.
Amazon Prints (Glossy Finish Test)
A scan of a glossy Amazon photo print depicting a joyous 94th birthday celebration. An elderly man with a grey beard and glasses beams at a square birthday cake adorned with "94" candles and green and white frosting. He wears a flower lei and a blue shirt, holding up a hand in cheer. Behind him, a woman in a floral tank top laughs, and a bearded man in a grey shirt smiles, capturing a lively family moment.
Target Photo (Lustre Finish Test)
A scan of a lustre Target Photo print of the same birthday scene. The photo captures an appy grandpa’s 94th birthday with a decorated cake and family. He is smiling, wearing glasses and a lei. A woman and a younger man are behind him, also smiling and enjoying the celebration in a living room setting.
Amazon Prints (Glossy Finish Test)
A glossy Amazon print scan showcasing an Icelandic landscape. A couple walks hand-in-hand on a mossy path, the woman leading and looking back at the man. She wears a navy sweater and boots, while he sports a leather jacket and sneakers. The backdrop features a stark contrast between the green terrain and a snow-dusted hillside under a bright sky.
Target Photo (Lustre Finish Test)
A lustre Target Photo print scan of the Icelandic scenery. The image shows a couple walking in Iceland, holding hands and enjoying the view. The woman is looking back at the man, with a snowy hill in the background, highlighting the natural beauty of Iceland and the couple’s connection.
View all scans or Read the full review for more in-depth analysis.
Pricing, Shipping, and Paper Quality: Key Differences
| Test Date | August 2020 |
| Local Pickup | Amazon Prints is exclusively an online service with home delivery. |
| Summary | Amazon Prints stands out as a budget-friendly option, especially for Amazon Prime members benefiting from free shipping. Delivery was remarkably fast via UPS 2nd Day Air in our test. However, print quality is good but not the highest compared to some competitors. |
| Print Quality (Local Pickup) | Not Applicable (Online Only) |
| Print Quality (Online Orders) | 70% Cost for 10 Photos: $1.20 $0.12 per 4×6 print + $0.00 shipping (Prime) Delivery: 5-6 days (Prime), 7-9 days (Non-Prime) |
| Local Pickup Available | No |
| Cost per 4×6 Print (Local Pickup) | Not Applicable (Online Only) |
| Formats for Pickup | Not Applicable (Online Only) |
| Finishes for Pickup | Not Applicable (Online Only) |
| Paper Type for Pickup Orders | Not Applicable (Online Only) |
| Pickup Speed | Not Applicable (Online Only) |
| Online Ordering | Yes |
| Online Ordering Available | Yes |
| Cost per 4×6 Print (Online) | $0.12 |
| Online Formats | 4×5.3, 4×6, 5×7, 8×10, 11×4, 12×18, 16×20, 20×30 |
| Online Finishes | Glossy, Matte, Lustre, Pearl |
| Paper Type (Online Orders) | Fujicolor Crystal Archive (22 millimeters thick) |
| Cheapest Shipping | Free for Prime members, $4.00 without Prime |
| Delivery Speed (Cheapest Shipping) | 5-6 days (Prime), 7-9 days (Non-Prime) |
| Order from Amazon | Order from Target Photo |
Amazon Prints vs. Target Photo: A Detailed Print Quality Comparison
In our direct comparison, we ordered identical photos from Amazon Prints on February 13, 2020, and from Target Photo on January 23, 2020. We then scanned both sets of prints without any color correction to provide a transparent view of their quality.
Here’s a closer look at how Amazon Prints and Target Photo compare in terms of print quality:
Amazon Prints (Glossy Finish Test)
A scan of a glossy Amazon photo print depicting a joyous 94th birthday celebration. An elderly man with a grey beard and glasses beams at a square birthday cake adorned with "94" candles and green and white frosting. He wears a flower lei and a blue shirt, holding up a hand in cheer. Behind him, a woman in a floral tank top laughs, and a bearded man in a grey shirt smiles, capturing a lively family moment.
Target Photo (Lustre Finish Test)
A scan of a lustre Target Photo print of the same birthday scene. The photo captures an appy grandpa’s 94th birthday with a decorated cake and family. He is smiling, wearing glasses and a lei. A woman and a younger man are behind him, also smiling and enjoying the celebration in a living room setting.
Amazon Prints (Glossy Finish Test)
A glossy Amazon print scan showcasing an Icelandic landscape. A couple walks hand-in-hand on a mossy path, the woman leading and looking back at the man. She wears a navy sweater and boots, while he sports a leather jacket and sneakers. The backdrop features a stark contrast between the green terrain and a snow-dusted hillside under a bright sky.
Target Photo (Lustre Finish Test)
A lustre Target Photo print scan of the Icelandic scenery. The image shows a couple walking in Iceland, holding hands and enjoying the view. The woman is looking back at the man, with a snowy hill in the background, highlighting the natural beauty of Iceland and the couple’s connection.
Amazon Prints (Glossy Finish Test)
Amazon glossy print scan of a fun family portrait in winter. A lively family portrait with adults and kids in winter gear, printed by Amazon with a glossy finish, capturing their playful expressions and the textures of their winter clothing.
Target Photo (Lustre Finish Test)
Target Photo lustre print scan of the same playful family photo. This lustre print from Target Photo shows a family making funny faces in winter attire, highlighting the print's ability to capture detail and emotion with a less reflective surface.
Amazon Prints (Glossy Finish Test)
Amazon glossy print scan of grandparents with grandkids. The photo features grandparents and grandkids in a cozy holiday setting, printed with a glossy finish by Amazon, emphasizing the warmth of the indoor scene and the details of the family members.
Target Photo (Lustre Finish Test)
Target Photo lustre print scan of the family portrait with grandparents. This Target Photo lustre print captures a heartwarming moment of grandparents and grandchildren, focusing on the family’s interaction and the holiday ambiance with a soft, non-glare finish.
Amazon Prints (Glossy Finish Test)
Amazon glossy print scan of dog owners with their black lab. A joyful photo of dog owners and their black lab, all sticking their tongues out, printed glossy by Amazon, highlighting the playful moment and the details of the dog and owners in a forest setting.
Target Photo (Lustre Finish Test)
Target Photo lustre print scan of the happy dog family. This Target Photo lustre print showcases dog owners with their black lab in a fun pose, emphasizing the natural outdoor setting and the happy expressions with a subtle, elegant finish.
Amazon Prints (Glossy Finish Test)
Amazon glossy print scan of an old man in nature. An elderly man relaxing in an Adirondack chair outdoors, printed glossy by Amazon, capturing the serene natural setting and the details of the man's relaxed posture and clothing.
Target Photo (Lustre Finish Test)
Target Photo lustre print scan of the same man in nature. This Target Photo lustre print of an old man in an outdoor chair emphasizes the natural lighting and the textures of the greenery and the man's attire with a less reflective, soft finish.
Amazon Prints (Glossy Finish Test)
Amazon glossy print scan of a black lab on a beach. A black lab sitting obediently on a rocky beach, printed glossy by Amazon, highlighting the dog's features and the coastal environment with vibrant colors and reflections.
Target Photo (Lustre Finish Test)
Target Photo lustre print scan of the black lab at the beach. This Target Photo lustre print of a black lab on a beach captures the dog's personality and the beach scenery with a focus on natural colors and a smooth, matte-like finish.
Amazon Prints (Glossy Finish Test)
Amazon glossy print scan of a red cardinal on a branch. A regal red cardinal perched on a branch, printed glossy by Amazon, emphasizing the bird's bright colors and sharp details against a blurred background.
Target Photo (Lustre Finish Test)
Target Photo lustre print scan of the red cardinal. This Target Photo lustre print of a cardinal on a branch highlights the bird's vivid plumage and the natural textures of the branch with a soft, non-glare finish.
Amazon Prints (Glossy Finish Test)
Amazon glossy print scan of two puffin birds in Iceland. Two Icelandic puffins in their natural habitat, printed glossy by Amazon, capturing the birds' unique features and the grassy Icelandic landscape with enhanced vibrancy.
Target Photo (Lustre Finish Test)
Target Photo lustre print scan of puffins in Iceland. This Target Photo lustre print of Icelandic puffins emphasizes the birds' details and the soft textures of the surrounding grass with a subtle, elegant finish, perfect for nature photography.
Amazon Prints (Glossy Finish Test)
Amazon glossy print scan of birthday balloons. A close-up of vibrant birthday balloons, printed glossy by Amazon, showcasing the balloons' bright colors and reflective surfaces in a celebratory composition.
Target Photo (Lustre Finish Test)
Amazon Prints Packaging
When you order prints from Amazon Prints, you can expect them to arrive in secure and well-designed packaging.
Amazon’s envelope is among the best we’ve seen from photo printing services. It utilizes a sturdy yet lightweight cardboard material. Inside, two additional cardboard inserts sandwich your photos within a white paper envelope, providing excellent protection against bending and damage during shipping.
Back view of the Amazon Prints envelope, showing its cardboard construction and secure flaps. The plain brown cardboard of the Amazon envelope back highlights its simple, effective design for protecting photo prints during shipment.
Comparing Amazon Prints with Other Photo Labs
Local Photo Lab Comparisons
93%
10 Photos: $2.50 $0.25 each
90%
10 Photos: $2.30 $0.23 each
75%
10 Photos: $2.30 $0.23 each
30%
10 Photos: $2.90 $0.29 each
Online Photo Lab Comparisons
99%
10 Photos: $7.15 $0.32 per 4×6 + $3.95 shipping (5-7 days)
95%
10 Photos: $4.40 $0.25 per 4×6 + $1.90 shipping (9-12 days)
94%
10 Photos: $12.85 $0.29 per 4×6 + $9.95 shipping (7-9 days)
92%
10 Photos: $6.35 $0.24 per 4×6 + $3.95 shipping (10 days)
90%
10 Photos: $4.74 $0.15 per 4×6 + $3.24 shipping (9-12 days)
85%
10 Photos: $4.29 $0.23 per 4×6 + $1.99 shipping (7-9 days)
85%
10 Photos: $4.39 $0.24 per 4×6 + $1.99 shipping (10-12 days)
85%
10 Photos: $4.39 $0.24 per 4×6 + $1.99 shipping (10-12 days)
85%
10 Photos: $4.39 $0.24 per 4×6 + $1.99 shipping (10-12 days)
80%
10 Photos: $2.99 $0.00 per 4×6 + $2.99 shipping (5-7 days)
80%
10 Photos: $20.99 $1.40 per 4×6 + $6.99 shipping (8-12 days)
80%
10 Photos: $4.78 $0.33 per 4×6 + $1.48 shipping (5-9 days)
80%
10 Photos: $4.90 $0.09 per 4×6 + $4.00 shipping (7-9 days)
75%
10 Photos: $4.99 $0.09 per 4×6 + $4.09 shipping (9-12 days)
70%
10 Photos: $13.00 $0.50 per 4×6 + $8.00 shipping (14-17 days)
65%
10 Photos: $2.64 $0.09 per 4×6 + $1.74 shipping (3-10 days)
60%
10 Photos: $6.10 $0.18 per 4×6 + $4.30 shipping (5-7 days)
45%
10 Photos: $6.99 $0.50 per 4×6 + $1.99 shipping (9-12 days)
Tips for 4×6 Photo Prints
How to Mail 4×6 Photos
Understanding 4×6 Photo Size
Photo Credits
Atlantic puffin photo by @miss_ohara
Cardinal photo by @drphotomoto
