Ultimate photo printing guide: expert tips & tricks

There's no feeling quite like flicking through an old photo album. Sure, scrolling through your camera roll is fun, but it doesn't come with the same sense of wonder.

Printing photos from your phone brings the memory to life. What was once a small image on a bright screen, threatening to disappear whenever you swiped up or locked your phone, is suddenly something real. Something you can glance at throughout the day, or gift to a friend as a thoughtful reminder of happy times. Something you may even share with your grandkids one day.

"But it takes ages and it's expensive!" I hear you cry. "And I wouldn't even know where to start!" Let's unpack these myths together.

Myth #1: photo printing is expensive

You can get photo prints for as little as 9p per print! We even offer cost-effective print credits for the eager planners who like to order prints throughout the year.

Myth #2: photo printing takes a long time

It's ridiculously quick and easy to print photos with us. Deciding on your preferred style, size and finish takes as long as you'd like it to. Then, all that's left is to wait 20 minutes for collection. As quick as a cat nap!

Myth #3: photo printing is complicated

If you believed some of the rumours, you'd think you needed a degree in photography to print photos. Trust us, you don't!

In fact, printing photos yourself can be much more complicated, especially if you're not confident dealing with printer settings, colour calibration, and paper jams.

One of the benefits of photo printing with Max Spielmann is that it's simple. Anyone can start photo printing in-store or online, especially after reading this ultimate guide.

Choosing the right photo print size can feel like a mammoth task when you've never done it before.

It's really quite simple. First, decide where you want your print to live, then select the print size that best suits.

Are you looking for a modest frame for your bedside table, or a statement piece that sits proudly above your sofa? These are the questions to ask yourself before making a purchase.

Quick tip: to check whether the size is right for you, cut a piece of paper to your chosen size and stick it to the wall with tape.

To convert your favourite moments into high-quality prints, all you need is your phone.

Step 1: choosing your image

We've talked a lot about the end result of your photos in this photo printing guide: the print type, print medium, size...It all matters.

Let's rewind for a second, to the very start of the process. Choosing the right image is crucial. If you select a photo that's blurry or over-filtered, our long-lasting Epson inks can't cover up the poor quality.

You want an image that's:

• High resolution (300 PPI/DPI for sharp results at any size. The editor will tell you if the image isn’t sharp enough)
• Taken directly from your camera roll (social media and standard text messages compress images)
• Well-lit (photos taken in low light or night mode tend to print poorly)
• Sharp (avoid soft, blurry images)
• Not over-filtered
• Saved as a jpeg or png (or tiff for professional-quality photographs)

Another tip: bigger prints need bigger files. This is one of the most common problems beginner photo printers face.

The fix? Try to use the original file (this file hasn't been compressed) or give our magic enhance tool a go!

Step 2: adjusting

iPhone images don't always translate well to paper. A few key adjustments will go a long way.

To get the best idea of what your final product will look like, play around with your phone by:

• Turning off auto-brightness and any display enhancement features
• Adjusting your brightness to 50-70%
• Switching to a natural colour mode
• Carefully cropping your photo (check you haven’t cut out something you need!)
• Considering the aspect ratio (does your chosen size suit your photo’s proportions? Perfect!)
• Not ignoring quality warnings (save yourself the future headache and switch to a smaller size or higher quality image)
  
  

Step 3: letting the magic happen

Picture this: you've just taken your favourite photo of your family, and just as you go to print it, you realise you've been photobombed. We've all been there.

Our AI-powered magic enhance tool was made for moments like this. Go to any Max Spielmann kiosk and see for yourself what it's capable of, including:

• Changing aspect ratio without cropping
• Improving overall image quality
• Blurring backgrounds
• Brightening or darkening images
• Restoring colour
• Applying fun effects (e.g., Hand-drawn appearance or cartoon style)

That's the hardest part done. Now, you're ready to print your photos, and you won't be stuck for options!

The quickest way to print photos from iPhone depends on your lifestyle.

We've got options for convenience shoppers, online delivery enthusiasts, lovers of real-life conversation (are you still out there?!) Everyone, basically.

Whatever your shopping habits, we're about to show you why printing photos at Max Spielmann is much more convenient than photo printing at home.

Option 1: website or app photo printing (best for: last-minute orders and busy schedules)

• Open our website or download the Max Spielmann app
• Choose your photo print type (e.g., standard, square or retro photo prints)
• Select your print size
• Upload & edit your photos (if you see a warning sign, take a second to review your images)
• Proceed to checkout (where you can add discount codes and gift card codes!)
• Sign into your Max Spielmann account or continue as a guest
• Select FREE click & collect or home delivery (standard or express)
• Complete payment
• Eagerly await your new prints!
  
  

Option 2: in-store photo printing (best for: same-day collection and Asda shoppers)

• Visit your nearest Max Spielmann store or kiosk
• Connect to our instant printing kiosks via Bluetooth or wi-fi
• Scan the QR code on screen
• Upload your photos
• Take your memories home with you!

Already heading to the supermarket? Order your prints to an Asda or Tesco near you. No extra trip needed! Tesco or Asda photo printing are easy add-ons to your food shopping or back to school shopping.

Bulk ordering (did someone say low cost?)

Bulk ordering: the ultimate photo print hack to keep costs low!

For the best possible value, you can order:

• 500+ prints at 9p each (available in 5 days)
• 51+ prints at 60p each (available in 20 minutes)

A money and time saver in one, bulk ordering is the perfect solution for printing your holiday snaps, wedding memories, or 2026 back to school photos.

But what if you don't need so many photos in one go?

You know us, we've got a hack for everything. This time, it's one that saves you up to 88% on your photos...print credits!

Starting from just 9p per print for 500 credits, print credits are added to your Max Spielmann account and activated for a full year. Use your credits whenever your heart desires within those 12 months!

You're armed with your brand-new photo prints, having survived the endless decisions, and now it's time to creatively display your prints. 
But where? And how? The expert guide continues...