Walmart / Kinkos guide?

[spunibard]

I've read some posts on here about Kinkos printing and was wondering how people go about it and how much it cost them.

I read elsewhere that Kinkos charges $20/hr for computer use, I'm hoping that is not the only way. I've seen the photo stations in Walmart but doesn't seem like there would be a way to print on plain paper using that, and it seems like it would resize the images to something unusable. (personally i've never used these and don't remember ever going to a Kinkos)

thanks

[Snowcone]

Kinkos does charge for computer use and the last time I was there it was slooooow. The problem is that if you give them the images to print, they will more than likely not print them due to the possible copyright issues so self printing is about your best option. Self printing at Kinkos or at home...

[Bondo]

I worked at a Kinko's for 3.5 years, so I know all the ins and outs of the operation of such a place.  Here are some pointers:

1- It's true, they will most likely not print out your covers due to copyright issues.  Even if you explain any legal loopholes to them, they will refuse.  They're just covering their own legal bases.  This is OK though, because they will most likely get the scaling or placement wrong anyway.

2 - Your best bet, is to rent a computer and print it yourself.  The color printers they have are usually of the Xerox docucolor series, which is a very good lazer printer.  They will have lazer paper loaded into it, which is slightly thicker, smoother, and brighter than normal printer paper.  Computer use costs about 10 cents per minute, so be quick.  When I left the company, color prints were at 50 cents a page, which was down from 89 cents a page.  The Fedex acquisition did a lot of things to the company, some good, some bad.

3- To rent a computer, you have to use their card system.  You can either insert your credit or debit card directly into the terminal and start using the machine, or you can go to the little kiosk they'll have setup.  This kiosk will let you load money onto a prepaid card.  Computer use and printing will then deduct from the balance.  If you run out, you are given a certain amount of time to go back to the kiosk and reload.  If you have change, they'll cash the card out at the register.

[Snowcone]

Thanks for the tips Bondo. The last time I used one of those rented computers it took 45 minutes to open and print 2 files. The files were about 40MB each. It was ridiculous.

[4tyGames]

Yeah, the Kinko's computers I have used are really slow and I think they do that on purpose since they charge by the minute.