Mpix Blog

New Book Software Update...Book Sharing and 8x8" now available!

The Mpix Guys — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:22:00 GMT

Have you ever wanted to create a book for the family reunion, or to commemorate a special event, and wanted to share it with your friends and family? We are excited to announce that you can now create your book and share it with family, friends and even your customers. Download the software now!

Adding a sharing feature is a major enhancement, but we of course took it one step farther. Our customer service staff received many requests for an 8x8" book option and now it's here, available with a custom or suede cover. Many other features will be added with this latest update:
- Improved image selection interface
- Thumbnail magnification when scrolling over images
- Full frame page templates for custom cover books

To update your version follow these quick steps:
1. Go to Start
2. Click on "Programs"
3. Select the Mpix My Photo Book option
4. Select to "Check for latest update"

If you have never downloaded the software before, you can download it directly by clicking above.

Sharing your books is only one step away. Click here to download our Book Software and get started creating and sharing your creations!

Mpix 2.0 Launches Tomorrow

The Mpix Guys — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:22:00 GMT

We're dotting i's and crossing t's. Tightening down some bolts, loosening some others. All said, we are getting ready for a very exciting transition tomorrow!

What You Need to Know

1. Mpix.com will be down tomorrow beginning at 8:00AM Central Time. Expect a few hours of down time for us to get everything migrated and switched over to the new site.

2. Please place any orders that are in your cart before 7:00AM Central Time. Incomplete orders in your cart will not be preserved in the transition. (All of your uploaded images and albums will of course be available in the new site.)

3. That's it! Enjoy your Saturday morning. Keep up with us on the blog or on Twitter during the transition.

We look forward to serving you all through the all new Mpix Web site!

Mpix 2.0 - Coming August 23rd!

The Mpix Guys — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:30:00 GMT

We have been excited about the launch of the new Mpix website for some time, and that excitement has only grown now that our customers are involved. The feedback, suggestions and comments received in the lead up to this project have been a tremendous help, and without further ado, we are proud to announce Mpix 2.0 will launch Saturday, August 23rd!

Customer Feedback has been our energizing force as we worked to make Mpix 2.0 the best ordering interface available. Here are just a few samples.

Jessica
I just got an email from Mpix introducing their new 2.0. As I looked over it, I was really impressed but what I am really excited about is the "paper mix" option. You will be able to choose metallic and lustre together without submitting two separate orders. YEAH!! Way to go Mpix Guys!

Shelly
This is going to be great !!! I can't wait to try out everything!

Big thanks to the Mpix team and the Tech department for making this happen ! I have never seen customer service like this place.

Karrie
Its so nice to be a part of the MPIX family and KNOW that behind the scenes you are all working so hard to keep us all HAPPY!!!!!!!!!! THANKS GUYS

Questions and Comments
All of the changes we are making are a result of listening to our customers over the last few years and we have talked with many of you as we have planned each of them out. We would love to know what you think!

See What's New
To check out all of the changes in Mpix 2.0, see our What's New page.

Mpix 2.0 Preview 4: Buying Specialty Products

The Mpix Guys — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:54:00 GMT

This post continues our series in introducing Mpix 2.0. We have been very excited by the feedback so far and cannot wait to introduce the site in its entirety. But for now we have another glimpse into what’s ahead: the new process for ordering specialty items.

Quick access to order any product
In our previous post on ordering prints, we introduced the “Buy” navigation bar that will be used throughout the site to give you easy access to ordering prints and products. We have conveniently grouped these products under the “Specialty” button on this navigation bar.

Selecting your Product
We make selecting a product as easy as possible. Simply click on the product that you want to build and it will immediately take you to the screen to begin the creation process.

Simple to build
As soon as you select a product to order, you will be given everything you need to configure that product to your specifications. The “Design” interface allows you to drag-and-drop images from your albums on to the different image spaces on the product. Then you can choose from different options that are for to each product, such as color, template, sizes, or additional text. Everything you need to complete the product before adding it to the cart is right here in one place!

Preview at any time
At any time during building your product, you can click on the “Preview” tab to see a live preview of your product as it will be printed. This will allow you to see all the options you have configured for your product. Once you are satisfied with what you have built, you can add it to your cart and checkout.

New Specialty Products
Don’t forget that we will also be offering two new specialty products when the site launches: Wall Clings and Assembled Albums. These are two great additions to our specialty product family that offer some fun and elegant options for your photos. You can read more about these products in our introduction to Mpix 2.0.

See What's New
To check out all of the changes in Mpix 2.0, see our What's New page.

Mpix 2.0 Preview 3: New Sharing Capabilities

The Mpix Guys — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:51:00 GMT

We are getting closer to the launch of our newly designed Mpix site. If you have missed our previous posts on the upcoming launch, then feel free to read our introduction to Mpix 2.0, our preview of the new print ordering process, or our sneak peek of the new frame options that will be available.

In this post we will be showing you some of the new features available for sharing on the site. Our goal is to make it as simple as possible for you to let your friends, family, and contacts view and buy photos that you have uploaded to Mpix. We hope you enjoy what we have in store!

Sharing in the new navigation
In the previous post, we highlighted the “Buy Prints” tab in the new main navigation. We are excited to announce that “Sharing” too has landed a prominent place in this navigation bar. We think that the new Sharing features will be a great addition to Mpix and we look forward to enhancing it even more in the future.

Sharing an Album
Sharing an album is now only a couple of clicks away. Once you go to the new community section of Mpix, you will be able to select from all of your albums to easily share one or more albums at a time:

Once you have selected your albums, you can then send an e-mail invitation to people with whom you want to share them. It’s as easy as entering an e-mail address or selecting from contacts that you already have shared with in the past. Adding a list of manageable contacts is just one way we are working to make sharing easier and more fun.

View albums shared with you
In addition to sharing albums, you can also access albums that have been shared with you by others. This means no more going through old e-mails to find the link to the album that was shared with you. If the person you shared with already has an Mpix account, then the albums are automatically available the next time they log in!

Everything you need to order photos from albums that have been shared with you is now in one place. Or if you are looking for a fun way to browse the photos in each gallery, then you’ll like our new slideshow feature too:

Questions or Comments?
We are excited about this new addition to the Mpix Community and we hope you like it too! We hope that you will let us know what you think about the new sharing options that will be available in Mpix. Please feel free to leave a comment below!

See What's New
To check out all of the changes in Mpix 2.0, see our What's New page.

Mpix 2.0 Preview 2: New Frames and Mats

The Mpix Guys — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:03:00 GMT

This is the second post in our Mpix 2.0 preview series where we are giving a glimpse of what is to come in our upcoming release. In our first post we introduced our new interface for ordering prints from your images. In this post we will be giving you a taste of our new frame offerings and the great new interface for selecting frame and mat options.

12 New Frames
We have added to our frame selection by adding 12 new beautiful frame designs. Each frame is custom built and professionally assembled on your print so it comes ready to hang when it arrives at your door. Here is a preview of our upcoming selection:

New Mat and Glass options
In addition to the new frame options, you can now also add a mat around the image and select from regular or non-glare glass. The mats come in black or white and will add a 2” border around your print. Your final product will arrive fully assembled with the mat and glass in place so all you have to do is decide where to hang it!

Visually Build your Framed Prints
Not only have we increased our options for frames, but we have made it fun to build each one and test out how each one looks before you make your purchase. You can fully preview each image inside any frame with or without a mat. Here’s a peek:

Summary of New Frame Options

12 new frames
Glass and non-glare glass available
On-screen preview
Simple to build
Black or white mat (or no mat)
24-hour turnaround
Arrive fully-assembled and ready to hang!

Questions or Comments?
We hope that you will let us know what you think about the new frame options that will be available in Mpix. Please feel free to leave a comment below!

See What's New
To check out all of the changes in Mpix 2.0, see our What's New page.

Mpix 2.0 Preview 1: Buying Prints

The Mpix Guys — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:13:00 GMT

Sunday we announced our forthcoming release of Mpix 2.0. Today’s post is the first of a series of preview posts that will show you a glimpse of what to expect when we release this new version of Mpix. We are very excited about the benefits this new release will bring our customers and we hope that you let us know what you think!

New navigation for buying prints
Before we get started with the nuts and bolts of buying prints, we would first like to introduce you to the new navigation that makes buying prints even more accessible throughout the site.

The “Buy Prints” tab - Our new main navigation includes a “Buy Prints” tab that allows you one-click access to buying prints from anywhere in the site.

The Buy Bar - Throughout the site, there will be a quick-jump menu underneath the main navigation that is available for you to start ordering different products at any time.

Simplified Print Ordering
When you click on the new Buy Prints tab, you will immediately see everything you need for quickly ordering small and large numbers of prints. Instead of selecting just one image at a time, you can now select as many images from an album as you like, enter how many of each size you would like, and then add them to the cart.

Customize Your Order in the Cart
Once you have added prints to your cart, you will be able to add options and customize each print you have ordered. Here is an example of what a print might look like in your cart:

The cart options will allow you to:

Edit the crop of each photo for each print size

Convert the color to black and white or sepia

Select E-surface, Metallic, or True Digital Black & White paper types for each print.

Add Retouching options such as glass glare removal, facial retouching, and more!

Add a mount, frame, or Lustre coating to the print.

Add more options, which we’ll be announcing soon!

Our Goal: Simple and Flexible
This is just one of the many new ways that we are simplifying the process of print ordering. Our goal is to make the process fun and easy whether you are just ordering one print or ordering prints of 300 photos you shot at a wedding last week. The end result is that the control and flexibility are in your hands!

Questions and Comments
We are very interested in what you think about the changes we are making. All of the changes we are making are a result of listening to our customers over the last few years and we have talked with many of you as we have planned each of them out. Please let us know what you think about what you see!

See What's New
To check out all of the changes in Mpix 2.0, see our What's New page.

Introducing Mpix 2.0

The Mpix Guys — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 05:17:00 GMT

The time has come. We are beginning to unveil the new and improved Mpix Web site, which we are affectionately calling Mpix 2.0.

What’s in a name?
There are so many great changes and enhancements in this new release that we thought we should reflect this in the name. Although the current Mpix Web site has served us well over the last five years, we are happy to say that (thanks to our wonderful customers!) we have outgrown what our original site can provide. Mpix 2.0 will have all the same professional quality products you have grown to love, but will now also have much, much more.

What can you expect?
Mpix 2.0 has been built with everything that we have learned over the past five years of serving professional and advanced amateur photographers. We have listened, we have learned, and we are responding. We have improved everything from the ordering interfaces to streamline your experience to the backend technical operations to improve overall performance. Mpix 2.0 is a departure from the current site, for sure, but we think you will find it is a welcome change.

The Schedule
Over the next couple weeks we will be showing previews of the site, talking about new products that will be available, and discussing the direction that we are going with the new site. We are adding some polish to the site right now and look forward to launching it in the next few weeks.

Product Sneak Peak
Along with the release of the new site comes the release of some exciting new products. Here are three new products that will be available immediately upon launch of Mpix 2.0:

New Frames, Mats, and Glass
Now we already have frames on Mpix, but we are adding 12 new incredible frames to choose from. New options with your frame include your choice of white or black mat as well as your choice between regular or non-glare glass. Finally, all of your framing needs are covered in one place.

Wall Clings
Are you familiar with the life-sized Fat Heads of NFL players? With Wall Clings, you will be able to create your own life-sized print to stick on the wall…just like the pros. The Wall Cling can be applied and removed from the wall as often as you like, and leaves no residual material.

Assembled Albums
Our black hand-crafted, leather albums are a model of elegance and simplicity. We will offer six different sizes, variable numbers of pages, and other options to let you customize each album to your liking. This is an exciting new product that will give another option for vibrantly presenting and preserving your most precious memories.

Stay tuned for our upcoming preview posts and get ready for a great new experience on Mpix!

See What's New
To check out all of the changes in Mpix 2.0, see our What's New page.

We've Got A Winner!

The Mpix Guys — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:46:00 GMT

Our very first prize winner from the Mpix Forum Assignments was announced Monday. Forum member Jeannie took home the gold with her image, titled "Emergency Fort Exit", in Assignment # 357.

Congratulations to Jeannie, who should be receiving her prize Wednesday. Good luck to all future entries! If you hurry, you can still submit your images for Assignment # 358: Aged to Perfection.

Matt

Home Runs and Hot Dogs

The Mpix Guys — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:21:00 GMT

When we think of summer in the Midwest certain images come to mind. For me, it has always been baseball and hot dogs. While the summer months are fading, Mpix was lucky to be a sponsor for our local 7-8 year old machine-pitch baseball team this year.

Coach Jerry Knowles has been with Miller's for 23 years, currently as a printer in the Mpix department. Jerry is the one making sure your prints come off without any damage and are properly calibrated. He also does printer maintenance and keeps things running smoothly.

Mpix.com was the team's chief sponsor, providing jerseys for the kids to wear. The season is over now, the team finished with a record of 7-4, and we cannot wait until next season!

Matt

Who's In the Lab: Paige and Cindy Peacher!

The Mpix Guys — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:20:00 GMT

Some of you may be keeping up with the Mpix.com logos (Sam, Sonny, Suzie and Spencer) traveling around the country this summer. Not to be out-done by our statuette friends, we've been busy giving tours to some lucky (and local) customers.

Today we welcomed Paige and Cindy Peacher from Webb City, Missouri to the lab. Paige is the owner of Paige Nicole Photography and an Mpix customer since 2006. We were able to meet Paige and Cindy at the Oklahoma Hills Shootout in Skiatook this past April. The two live close by and we are always happy to show off the lab.

The late afternoon tour prevented us from showing off the magnitude of our amazing production staff, but the two were able to get a live demonstration of how the NexPress machines work and also see the lab from door-to-door.

For any prospective tourists, we're always happy to show off the lab. Just shoot us an email at matt@mpix.com

The Mpix Guys

Tech Tips: Uploading with Vista

The Mpix Guys — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:14:00 GMT

Microsoft's newest operating system has caused a few problems when uploading with Mpix lately by throwing error codes when uploading in ActiveX. Thanks to a few helpful customers and a lot of patience, we now have a fix for this.

1. Open Internet Explorer (IE 7 is shown here)
2. Select Tools and Internet Options

3. In Internet Options, select Security
4. Here we want to disable the protected mode. To do this you only have to uncheck the box next to this option.

We'd like to thank everyone again for their patience as we were troubleshooting this error.

Matt

Mpix Forum Assignments now come with a prize!

The Mpix Guys — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:28:00 GMT

For some time we have been observing the talent of our friends on the Mpix forum. Now, we are giving back. Starting August 1st, 2008, all winners of the Mpix Forum Assignment contests will win a free print or gift from Mpix.com.

The prizes will begin with Assignment #357 Aerial, with the winners and their 1st place image getting face time on the Mpix Blog.

Grab your camera and be sure to check the rules. We cannot wait to see the great work of our friends!

The Mpix Guys

Postcards on sale until Tuesday, July 29th!

The Mpix Guys — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:27:00 GMT

It is time to spruce up your marketing campaign with Postcards from Mpix. Postcards are a simple, yet versatile, way to promote an event, your studio or organization, or your web site. From July 23rd - 29th you can purchase your Postcards at 25% off list price.

Detailed steps to place your postcard order:

1. Go to http://www.mpix.com/MpixPress/

2. Download the MpixPRESS software - if you have not already done so.

3. Once the software has been downloaded to your computer you are ready to begin.

4. Simply drag and drop the 4.25x5.75 image into the software layout. NOTICE: Please disregard the red line within the software

Original file created in Photoshop. NOTICE: Text must be a minimum of 1/4" from the edge of the image

5. The re-size to fill page button must be selected to correctly fill the entire template.

6. Click the Order with MpixPRESS button

7. The image will upload and give you a proofing PDF file option. NOTICE: Please make sure to double check the proof. The black marks on each edge will indicate where the card is trimmed. Also, make sure the image fills the white bleed area.

Here is an example of a file that is incorrectly sized. This will happen when the re-size to fill page option is not used.

8. Once the FTP upload has completed you will be directed to an Mpix.com login page where your items will be placed in your Mpix Press shopping cart. Click the red 'checkout' button, enter your billing information and your order will be shipped shortly.

Proof Portfolios 25% off until Tuesday, July 22nd!

The Mpix Guys — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:26:00 GMT

Summer is here and there is no better way to show off your shots than with Mpix’s proof portfolios. For the next week, until Tuesday July 22nd, you can order a proof portfolio for 25% off. Place your order now to experience the ease and comfort of showing your client their proofs in an organized proof book.

For more information about proof portfolios- http://www.mpix.com/productsinfo.aspx?prod=10

Helpful Hints:

1. Your images will print in the order they appear in your album.

2. The ENTIRE album will be printed.

3. Images are NOT cropped, but will be resized to fit the viewing space in your chosen template.

4. Make sure the images are correctly oriented heads-up

Ordering a proof portfolio is easy! See details steps below.