I'm one of those people with a billion pictures on my camera and phone, but I'm usually too lazy to go and print them out. However with the exciting reminder that I will be decorating my dorm in September, I actually had the desire to print out my pictures. Regular 4x6 photos are fine but not super cute in my opinion, and since I don't have a polaroid camera, I used this opportunity to create my own square polaroids!
Method 1 (Computer)
1. Compile all your pictures from your phone and your camera into one folder. This step took me the longest as I had to go through thousands of pictures to choose the ones I actually wanted to print. Play some music to help you get through it, and use this as a fun weekend activity to relax.
*The next three steps (2,3, and 4) should be done to each photo all at once so you don't have to open the same photo three times.
2. Edit the photo's brightness, contrast, etc. on Photoshop, PicMonkey, or any other photo editing software you have. Tip: Photos tend to print darker so always edit brighter.
3. Crop all photos to a square.
4. Add a thick white border. I did mine on PicMonkey. Edit < Frames icon < Simple Edge < Change outer color to white < Increase thickness on both outer and inner edge until you reach your desired thickness. Tip: Always make a larger border because the printer often zooms in when printing which cuts off the outer edge of your photo if you get your photos printed outside. For an actual border of 1/4 in. (0.63 cm) thick, my border measured 3/8 in. (0.95 cm) on PicMonkey. The first time around I created a very thin border and the printer completely cut my border off.
5. I chose to get mine printed as 4x4's (in inches) at Walgreens for $0.39 each (with a 33% discount code at the time), so it was quite reasonable! Tip: Always preview your photos when you upload them online to make sure parts of it aren't being cropped off in their frame. The pickup was ready in an hour, and they gave great customer service being that the first round of pictures had no borders at all but the lady let me adjust the borders and reprint for free.
Method 2 (Mobile)
*Do steps 1 and 2 together
1. Edit photos for brightness, contrast, etc. on apps like VSCO cam, Afterlight, etc. Tip: Photos tend to print darker so always edit brighter.
2. Crop photos into a square.
3. Add a white border using apps like Whitegram, Squaready, Afterlight etc. Tip: Make sure to call the company that you are using to print your photos to ask them if the outer edge of your photo will be cut off. Sometimes printers zoom in when printing, so be sure before you make your border.
4. Print 4x4 (in inches) photos using apps like PostalPix for $0.39 each plus tax (if your state/country taxes) and shipping.
Will you be trying this tutorial out?
Emily
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