Spin-off QOTD - photo printing

I print photos per layout, after I decide size. It takes more time but I don’t waste supplies doing it this way.

I print at home. I do batch printing and not typically with a project or layout in mind. Every 2-3 months I print everything on my phone and then move them off my phone to my computer. Rinse and repeat.

I prefer to print my photos all at one time. Most are printed 4x6, but some I will print enlargements for, and some I will collage on my phone and print 4 pic's to an 8x8 collage. I like shuffling through them, choosing which will make it on to a particular page.

If I change my mind while scrapping, I will sometimes print a photo at home in a different orientation or in a different size--usually 5x7--or I will enlarge a part of a photo to 4x6 so one of my scrapped pic's shows a closeup.

This, plus I usually want smaller sizes. When planning I print a contact sheet (many photos on a piece of paper) for each LO to draw my sketch and note photo sizes. Usually I will have several photos (5-10) on the contact sheet and also use the opportunity to narrow down which photos to print. I have been using this system for over a decade and it works really well for me. I batch plan pages and ordering prints.

For home printing, I only have an Instax printer, so my option there is limited to a specific look and due to the cost I don't print the bulk of my photos this way.

I tend to send the bulk of my photos for printing monthly to my local drugstore, which does a decent job and I can pick up easily on my way home from work. I generally have an idea if the photo is going to go into my PL or a traditional layout which dictates the size of the photo. If it is landscape and going into PL, I will most likely print 4x6, if it is portrait and going into PL, it gets printed at 2.5x3.5. If I am printing for traditional layouts I generally opt for 4x6, sometimes 3.5x5.

If I am working on a particular layout or sketch, I will print a photo specifically for the project if what I have on hand doesn't work.

I usually order a batch of prints every few months from Costco, now Shutterfly. I kind of decide as I'm adding them to my cart what layouts I'm going to make, how many photos I need (usually 1-4) and do order a few in 5 by 7.

If I find out as I'm scrapping I need one more photo, missed ordering one, or am doing a challenge and don't have a photo printed, I will print one with my Selphy.

I don't currently have access to an app that will put two photos on a print (ACDSEE won't let me transfer the version I paid for to a new computer...grrr) so the smallest prints I'm ordering or printing are 4 by 6.

I decide what page I want to make. Ex. Choir concert for ds.

I then go through my photos and decide what style of pocket layout I want. Single 9x12? 9 3x4 pockets?

Then decide how many photos I want and what size.

I then open PS and tweak the photos if needed and resize accordingly.

Send to my photo printer and begin the layout.

I print at home for specific layouts or projects. Any time I’ve printed photos for use in layouts ahead of time they sit unused because they end up being the wrong size for my project.

My general approach regarding photos is to decide the next few stories that I want to tell/scrap, choose the photos that support them, & order the prints (typically 4x6 with little to no editing) at a local camera store. ETA: I never print photos at home. 

I usually print all my photos through Shutterfly every few months (free through the app - just pay shipping). I typically don't resize them (very rarely). I print all the pics from and event (Christmas, Vacation, etc) then go through them once they arrive. Once I have my pics, I then decide on layouts.
I'll usually throw away any extra prints/duplicates I don't use (or at least I try to).