How to Upload Digital Photos

Overview
Quick Upload
Quick Uploader - Java Edition
Quick Uploader - IE Edition
One-by-one Uploader
Java Related Issues
Installing ActiveX
Assistance for Mac Users: Trusting Certificates
Common Questions about Uploading Photos

Overview

Uploading your photos is the first step to creating beautiful photo gifts and sharing your photos with friends and family near and far. Depending on your preferences, there are a few different ways for uploading your photos to the Costco Photo Center.

While you can choose which uploader you would like to use, the Costco Photo Center will default to the one that you last used to successfully upload photos.

When you have uploaded your photos and they are stored in your Costco Photo Center account, you can do any of the activities listed below and much more!

If the quick uploader is not working properly for you, please see Image Upload Issues for assistance.

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Quick Uploader

The easiest way to transfer photos from your computer to your Costco Photo Center online account is by using our quick uploader. The quick uploader has two versions. Depending on your computer and browser preference you will see either the quick uploader - Java edition or quick uploader - ActiveX edition when you click upload photos.

Quick Uploader - Java Edition

with the quick uploader - Java edition you can select multiple photos from different folders on your computer and upload them all at once.

For advanced users: Increasing Upload Speeds with the quick uploader - Java edition.

  1. Click 'upload photos' in the menu on the right hand side of most Costco Photo Center pages.

  2. Select an album for your uploaded photos, or create a new album by clicking 'Create New Album.'

    3. Note: If you are uploading photos to a new album enter a title in the field provided or leave it as the default. Type a date as well and write a description if you would like. When you are ready to proceed, click the 'upload now' button.

  3. Click the 'agree' button to agree to the copyright conditions. If you click the 'disagree' button then you will be unable to upload photos to our site.
  4. If it is your first time using the quick uploader, you will see a security dialogue box asking whether you would like to 'run' or 'install' the quick uploader. If you are on a Mac, click 'trust' on the certificate that appears to access the quick uploader.
  5. Click the 'select photos' button or link.

  6. Once the quick uploader has loaded, choose the photos you would like to upload by clicking the image or the small box below each one. Selected images will have a checkmark in the box below them.

  7. Once you select all the photos you would like to upload, choose whether you would like to upload using the fast or full resolution setting. When you have chosen your upload setting, click the 'upload' button to proceed.
  8. You'll see an indicator that the upload is in progress. Please don't close the upload window or go to any other part of the website until your upload has finished. We'll let you know when it's done.

  9. When your upload has finished, you'll see the album that contains all the photos that were successfully uploaded.

NOTE: When you upload a digital photo to your online account, only a copy of it is placed in your account. The original digital photo file remains unchanged on your computer. You can upload photos from your computer's hard drive, from a floppy disk, from a DVD-ROM, or directly from a digital camera connected to your computer.

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quick uploader - IE edition

With the quick uploader - IE edition you can select as many photos as you would like from one folder on your computer at a time. You can select photos as often as needed to gather the photos you want to upload together before uploading.

  1. Click 'upload photos' in the menu on the right hand side of most Costco Photo Center pages.
  2. Click the 'agree' button to agree to the copyright conditions. If you click the 'disagree' button then you will be unable to upload photos to our site.

    3. Note: If you have not used the quick uploader - IE edition before then you will see an information bar that will prompt you to install an ActiveX control. The ActiveX control is required to use the quick uploader - IE edition. If your IE preferences are set to enable ActiveX then you shouldn't see the information bar and the quick uploader - IE edition will load. Click here if you require assistance with the installation of the ActiveX control.

  3. Click the light blue box where it says 'Click here to select your photos.'

  4. When the photo selector appears, choose a photo you would like to upload by clicking its thumbnail image.

    5. Tip: select multiple images by clicking each image once to place a checkmark in the box beside it.

  5. Choose as many photos from the folder you are currently viewing as you would like to add and then click the 'Select' button. If there are more photos you would like to add in a different folder on your computer, click the 'add more photos' button above the list of images waiting to upload and repeat Step 4.

    You can use the quicklinks beside the file preview window or the dropdown above it on the photo selector to change folders on your computer.

  6. Once you select all the photos you would like to upload, select a destination for your photos by entering an album name if you would like to create a new album or select an existing album from the dropdown menu.

  7. Next, choose whether you would like to upload using the fast or full resolution setting.

  8. When you have identified your upload setting, click the 'start upload' button to proceed.
  9. You'll see an indicator that the upload is in progress. Please note: closing the upload window or going to any other part of the website could interrupt the upload.

  10. When your upload has finished, you'll see the album that contains all the photos that were successfully uploaded.

NOTE: When you upload a digital photo to your online account, only a copy of it is placed in your account. The original digital photo file remains unchanged on your computer. You can upload photos from your computer's hard drive, from a floppy disk, from a DVD-ROM, or directly from a digital camera connected to your computer.

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one-by-one Uploader

Another way to upload your photos to your Costco Online Photo Center account is to transfer them using the one-by-one uploader.

  1. On the one-by-one uploader page, click the 'browse' button in one of the upload fields to open a 'Choose File' window.
  2. Find the location of the photo you would like to upload. Click its file name twice. The file name should now appear beside the 'browse' button that you clicked.
  3. Repeat this process until the photos you would like to upload are all selected or you have used all the selection fields. Click the 'upload' button to continue.

  4. When your upload has finished, you'll see the photos that were successfully uploaded in the album to which you uploaded them.

NOTE: When you upload a digital photo to your online account, only a copy of it is placed in your account. The original digital photo file remains unchanged on your computer. You can upload photos from your computer's hard drive, from a floppy disk, from a DVD-ROM, or directly from a digital camera connected to your computer.

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Java Related Issues

The quick uploader - Java edition works with all browsers, but it works best with Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox browsers. If the quick uploader isn't working properly and you are using a browser other than Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, you might want to download the latest Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox web browser and try the quick uploader - Java edition again.

If using IE or Firefox has not resolved the issue, then you might have to check if you have the most current version of Java installed on your computer. You can check which version you have at Java's website.

If the quick uploader is still not loading properly, then you might need to adjust your Java settings. To check your Java settings, follow the steps below. Please feel free to contact customer support if you have any questions.

  1. Launch Internet Explorer.
  2. Click the 'Tools' dropdown menu.
  3. Click 'Internet Options' once.
  4. Click the 'Advanced' tab of the 'Internet Options' window.
  5. Scroll down until you locate the section of the 'Settings' box that pertains to Java use.

  6. If there isn't a checkmark in the box below the 'Java (Sun)' heading, then click the box once to place a checkmark there.

  7. Close your web browser.
  8. Open your web browser and return to the Costco Photo Center to upload your photos.

If the quick uploader - Java edition is still not working properly, then please follow the steps below to check another Java setting.

  1. Launch Internet Explorer.
  2. Click the 'Tools' dropdown menu.

  3. Click 'Manage Add-ons' if you are using IE7 and click 'Enable or Disable Add-ons'.

    4. Note: If you are using IE6, click 'Internet Options' and then click the 'Programs' tab and click 'Manage Add-ons'.

  4. From the dropdown menu in the 'Manage Add-ons' window, select 'Add-ons that have been used by Internet Explorer'.

  5. Scroll down until you locate the Java related Add-ons and click each one to make sure it is enabled. If an add-on is enabled, you will see a green dot next to the word enabled in the 'Settings' area below the Add-ons list. There might be several that pertain to Java.

    6. Note: to make searching for add-ons easier, you can organize the list by Publisher by clicking on the Publisher heading. To find the add-ons pertaining to Java, look for Sun Microsystems, Inc. as the publisher.

  6. Make sure that all of the versions of the Java Plug-in have been enabled. Make sure that the SSVHelper Class and Sun Java Console are enabled as well.
  7. Click 'OK' when you are finished.
  8. Close your web browser.
  9. Open your web browser and return to the Costco Photo Center to upload your photos.

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Installing ActiveX

If you are viewing the Costco Photo Center using Internet Explorer, then you can use the quick uploader - ActiveX edition to transfer photos. In order to use this version of the quick uploader, you will be prompted to install an ActiveX control.

Note: You might be prompted to install the ActiveX control after updates have been made to the quick uploader - IE edition. Follow the steps below to install the ActiveX control.

  1. You will be redirected to the ActiveX install page after clicking 'upload photos' in the orange menu on the right hand side of the home or photos pages.

  2. An information bar will appear below the address bar and tabs to let you know that you need to install an ActiveX control in order to continue.

    If you see the install instructions on your screen but no information bar, then the ActiveX control could be present but disabled. You might also see a bubble alert telling you that the ActiveX control is disabled that looks something like this:

    Click here to find out how to enable the ActiveX control.

  3. Click the Information Bar and click 'Install ActiveX control...' in the dropdown menu to begin.

  4. A Security Warning window will appear to confirm that you would like to install the ActiveX control. Click the 'Install' button to continue.

  5. When the installation completes, you will be able to use the quick uploader - IE edition. Click here to return to the steps for using the quick uploader IE edition.

Enabling the ActiveX Control

If you see the steps for installing the ActiveX control but the information bar is not present, then the control could be disabled. Follow the steps below to enable the ActiveX control.

  1. Click the 'tools' menu in the upper right hand side of the IE 7 or IE 8 browser or the 'Tools' menu in the top left of the IE 6 menu and select 'Manage Add-ons' from the drop down menu.
  2. When the 'Manage Add-ons' window opens, select 'Add-ons that have been used by Internet Explorer' in IE6 and IE7 or 'All add-ons' in IE8 from the dropdown menu.
  3. Scroll down the list of Add-ons until you see 'Photo Upload Plugin Class'. Check to make sure the publisher is PhotoChannel Networks Inc.
  4. Click the Add-on and see if it is set to Enable in the Settings area below the Add-ons list. If it is set to Disable, click the circle beside Enable. If you are using IE8 and if this Add-on is disabled, then click the Enable button in the bottom left corner of the Manage Add-ons window. You might have to restart your browser and return to the Costco Photo Center for the changes to take effect.

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Assistance for Mac Users: Trusting Certificates

If you would like to automatically trust the applet certificate that makes the quick uploader work, then please follow the steps below.

  1. After you have logged in to your account, click 'upload photos'.

  2. When the certificate window appears (as pictured below), click the 'Show Certificate' button.

  3. Click the check box beside 'Always trust these certificates'.

There are a few ways that you can be sure the certificate is authentic.

  1. The website in the title bar of the certificate window should be http://www.costcophotocenter.com.
  2. Photochannel Networks Inc. should be the name on the certificate.

  3. The certificate should show as valid.

Common Questions about Uploading Photos

What is the difference between the fast and full resolution upload speeds when using the quick uploader?

When you choose the fast speed, we upload your images up to 5x faster by compressing them slightly prior to uploading them. There is no loss in the visible quality of your photos. The compression is just small enough to reduce the transmission speed while maintaining the visual integrity of your photos in order to produce high quality prints. Please choose the fast upload speed for print sizes up to 8x10.

Because there is a slight compression that would be noticeable only at large print sizes, it is best to choose the full resolution speed if you wish to produce enlargements beyond 8x10 or if you wish to use a photo on a large gift. While this will transfer your photos more slowly, it will ensure an appropriate resolution for large prints.

How do I contact Customer Support?

In order to make sure your concern reaches the appropriate area of customer support, please fill out our customer support form. A customer support representative will contact you as quickly as possible.

What are the recommended resolutions for my photos?

The image sizes listed below are the best for ordering prints or making photo gifts.

Print Size Minimum image resolution required
4 x 6 690x460 pixels
5 x 7 805x575 pixels
8 x 8 Enlargements 920x920 pixels
8 x 10 1150x920 pixels
8 x 12 1380x920 pixels
11 x 14 Enlargements 1610x1265 pixels
12 x 12 Enlargements 1380x1380 pixels
12 x 18 Enlargements 2070x1380 pixels
16 x 20 Posters 2300x1840 pixels
20 x 30 Posters 3450x2300 pixels
Wallet Prints 374x259 pixels
Photo Gifts 900x600 pixels

How much time does it take to upload?

Upload speeds depend on a number of factors. The major factor that limits upload speeds is the speed of your internet connection.

For more information, please see: Upload Time

Does it cost me anything to upload photos?

Uploading, sharing and editing your photos are absolutely free.

What file types work best with the Online Photo Center?

We have found that the .jpg file type works best, but you can upload .bmp and .tiff files as well.

How long are my photos stored by the Costco Online Photo Center?

We offer free, unlimited storage of online photos as long as you remain an active member of the Costco Photo Center. Create as many albums and upload as many photos as you would like. Please see the account section for more information.