I decided to ask a few pre-order questions. PicSquare responded
to my emails and cleared all my queries. PicSqaure allows you to order prints as
well as photo gifts. I’ve only tested the Prints that too the 4×6 ones.
You are allowed 10 Free trial prints and 10 prints for every
friend who signs up with them using your reference.
The interface of the website is okay not that user friendly
but, also not bad either.
**UPLOADING**
There are 3 ways in which you can upload photos to
PicSquare:
**Single Upload:** The usual way where you browse
for the photos and then click Upload Photos. You can specify a maximum of 6
photos to be uploaded at once.
**Flash Multiple Uploader:** Under multiple
uploads you have the option to upload the photos via their Flash Upload Applet
which shows you the progress of individual file unlike the Single Upload
Method.
**Java Multiple Uploader:** This is a Java Applet
which you can use to upload photos to PicSquare. I don’t whether it was a
problem with my browser(FireFox 2.0.0.9) but, after I allowed installation of
the Java Applet, a blank grey Java Applet area would appear at the bottom right
of the browser and it would cause FireFox to freeze. However, the Java Applet
loads fine in Internet Explorer and it’s functionality is similar to the Flash
File Uploader.
You require atleast Flash 8 to run the Flash Applet. However,
no minimum Java JRE requirement is stated for the Java Applet to run. It ran on
a 1.4 as well as 1.6 JRE version.
PicSquare has also another option to put in photos to yor
PicSquare account. It is called **Mail your CD**. You can burn your
photos on a Compact Disk and mail it to them. This is a good option for people
who don’t have a good internet connection and this scenario is pretty common in
India still.
**EDITING**
Unfortunately, editing/fixing of the photos is not yet possible
after uploading the photos to PicSquare. You have to edit/fix them before
uploading the photos.
**
SHARING
**PicSquare allows you to share your photos with your friends and
family. Though I’ve not tried that option so won’t be able to comment on the
same.
**
IMPORTING**
PicSquare allows you to import your already uploaded photos for
Flickr and Picasa. Importing from Flickr was very easy. When you click on Print
Photos from Flickr, it takes you to the Flickr login page and asks your Flickr
credentials. After entering that Flickr asks your permission to give access to
PicSquare to import the photos. After that, your photos get immediately imported
into PicSquare. I don’t use Picasa so couldn’t test importing from it but, it
must be working in a similar manner.
**
ORDER PROCESS**
The order process is relative straight forward. You just have
to select the photos and then select what type of product you want to order from
the drop down box and click OK. In my case I ordered Digital Prints. After doing
that the photo items get added to the Shopping Cart. You’ll find your Digital
Prints under Photos in the Shopping Bag(as they call it). When you click on the
Shopping Bag link they take you to the detailed order page where you select the
type of Prints(Glossy/Matt) and the sizes of the prints. A sad smiley like is shown if
the resolution of the uploaded file is not good enough for printing. It didn’t
show any for my pics because all were 7.1 mega pixels snaps. When you continue
it shows you the total payment you owe and has a discount column where it allows
you to select the type of discount(Coupon/Credit). Here you have to manually
apply the discount or you get charged for the whole amount.
You then have to add Shipping Details either new or existing
from the Address Book.
When you click Pay Now you are taken to the CCAvenue Portal
where you enter the Payment details. I found this interface a bit confusing but,
it was still OK. You have to option to pay by Credit Cards, Internet Banking,
Paymate(Mobile Payment) and ITZ Cash Cards. A good this is that they don’t
store your CC information unlike SnapFish.
**DELIVERY**
OK - Let me admit. This review has come out a lot late that I
had intended for various reasons - lack of time being the main. I had ordered
the prints here immediately after SnapFish. However, I can assure you that I got
the prints within 4 days from ordering. There was a Sunday and Public Holiday in
between otherwise I would have received the same within 2 days.
There Tracking System is somewhat lacking. I had to shoot a few
emails to Support for that. All of my queries were however answered in
reasonable time. The prints were delivered by DTDC Courier which I feel is quite
known to all of us. The packing was neet in a Green envelope with the threads
inside. I didn’t get the free album as I had ordered only 10 prints.
**
PRINT QUALITY**
As informed by the Support the photos were printed on Fuji
Crystal Archive Paper. The prints were very good indeed. They were vivid and
crisp. I infact noticed that they were much better than the ones from SnapFish.
I also feel that this paper is far more superior than the HP Paper used by
SnapFish. All I can say about the quality was that PicSquare delivered what they
promised.
**
CONCLUSION
**Well we can say that PicSquare is definately a good photo
printing website. Apart from a bit confusing ordering process I can say that
they definately delivered what they promised. One thing I liked about them was
that they didn’t save your CC information. There needs to be some sort of
utility like SnapFish’s QuickUpload. Overall I had a good experience with them
and would definately use them again.
Thanks. Do let me know your views as well via comments.