I am working on a large scale DIY project in our home and I needed some giant copies of old family photos. I remembered seeing this pin a while back, which said that you can get giant prints called "engineer prints" at Staples for $4.99.
We called around locally to see what we could find. Our local Kinko's had a similar giant photo copy option called a "blueprint copy". I also heard from a reader that they are sometimes called "draft prints". These prints are only .75 per square foot. Totally affordable!
This is the largest print I ordered, it's about 3x4 feet. The photo it is copied from is a tiny 3x3 inch photo of my grandparents. Some people have asked about the quality. I would compare the quality of these prints to any black and white photocopy. It's not perfect, especially since my prints are made from small photos that are very old. The thing is, when you have such a large poster the quality doesn't matter AS much because it's the scale that really catches the eye. If you want a perfect quality print, you can get those a lot of places... just not for under $10... ha!
Here's one more of my (other) grandparents on their wedding day. Again, you can see that the image is definitely not perfect, but the size is what makes the statement. I love these memories and I am so proud to use them in our home decor... it's special. Now I can't wait to make more copies.
I'll be back soon to share the project I'm making with this gigantic beauties. I just wanted to quickly pop in and share where/how to order these prints for any of you who might want to make your own! xo. elsie
I've been wanting to do his or awhile. Excited to see how this turns out.
Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com
Posted by: Rachel | September 27, 2012 at 05:45 PM
Meghan, These are black and white copies (of both color and b+w photos). :)
Posted by: Elsie | September 27, 2012 at 05:45 PM
75 cents a square foot is expensive! I work at a (local) print shop, and ours are 45 cents per square foot :)
Posted by: Hannah O. | September 27, 2012 at 05:48 PM
That is amazing! Can't wait to see the finished product. :) Very cool.
Posted by: Shaina Longstreet | September 27, 2012 at 05:51 PM
These look fab, can't wait to see what your plans is for them! ... p.s. the second photo makes me laugh, you just need to move your feet over a smidge to finish off your gran's legs!!
Posted by: Emma | September 27, 2012 at 05:55 PM
How fun! Can't wait to see what you are doing with these. LOVE giant portraits as are in the home.
Posted by: Kristen | September 27, 2012 at 06:07 PM
I'm so glad you made this post! I've been seeing those pins on Pinterest for a while now and just assumed there was some kind of catch. Glad to know it's a real option!
Posted by: Brittany Comeaux | September 27, 2012 at 06:14 PM
Oh, I LOVE this! I just discovered this bog two days ago and just ordered 4x4 prints from PostalPix to make a project you featured using pictures of my grandson :) Thanks for the ideas and inspiration!
Posted by: Kimberly | September 27, 2012 at 06:23 PM
I am going to try this asap!
Posted by: Amanda | September 27, 2012 at 06:30 PM
What a fantastic idea!
Posted by: Colleen | September 27, 2012 at 06:33 PM
What a fantastic idea. I think I want to do that for my wedding photos too. Thank you for the awesome suggestion x
Posted by: Cybele Masterman | September 27, 2012 at 06:41 PM
This is great!! I think the "low' quality gives it appeal! Super cool I am going to try this!
Ali of aliandang
Posted by: Ali MacKin | September 27, 2012 at 06:46 PM
These are beautiful! Breathtaking and kind of beautifully haunting. Love the black and white.
Posted by: Camille | September 27, 2012 at 07:06 PM
Those are really awesome for being 3x3...
Love the statement they make!
xoxo,
Rachel Nicole @ Summer Breeze
http://rachyracheshobbycorner.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Rachel Nicole | September 27, 2012 at 07:16 PM
so so awesome! and affordable! i've been searching for the cheapest/easiest way to blow up some old photos..now i need to find out how to scan/print my old slides!
Posted by: Krystle | September 27, 2012 at 07:23 PM
I actually really like the grainy, poor-quality look to the these pictures. It makes you concentrate on the shapes, silhouettes and shades rather than on the image. Love the idea! And super cheap!
Posted by: Otter Mei | September 27, 2012 at 07:31 PM
I've always wanted to do this, I have a wall reserved for when we do family photos around Christmas. I'm excited to see what you do with these. That wedding photo of your grandparents is so sweet. The not-so-perfect quality of the copies adds character.
Posted by: Kym | September 27, 2012 at 07:39 PM
as a stylist i am always trying to figure out how to get photos made much larger without the original negative, etc. and this is PERFECT!! thank you so much for sharing!
Posted by: tiffany/camp1899 | September 27, 2012 at 07:59 PM
pretty picture's... :)
http://lovesimplegreen.blogspot.com/
Posted by: irene | September 27, 2012 at 08:02 PM
Wow! They are beautiful!! :)
http://doitnaturalnow.blogspot.com.es/
Posted by: Raquel | September 27, 2012 at 08:37 PM