Updated September 21, 2026. Reviewed by Rhonda Callow, Posterjack.
Quick answer: The best online photo printing service in Canada depends on what you're printing. For wall art and large-format prints made in Canada, Posterjack is the strongest option; for photo books, Photobook Canada; for same-day 4×6 prints, Shoppers Drug Mart or Walmart Photo Centre. Ten Canadian options are compared below by ownership, production location, product range, and best use.
This guide is written by Posterjack, a Toronto-based photo printing company founded in 2009. We've included ourselves in the list, and we've tried to describe every competitor fairly, including where they beat us. Where a company is a better fit for a particular need, we say so.
Canadian photo printing services compared
| Company | Ownership | Prints made in | Best known for | Free shipping | Same-day pickup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Posterjack | Canada | Canada | Wall art, large-format photo prints, photo books | Over $150 | No |
| Black's | Canada | Canada | Photo gifts, cards, calendars | Over $135 | No |
| Shoppers Drug Mart Photo | Canada | Canada | Same-day 4×6 prints in-store | No | Yes |
| Walmart Photo Centre | USA | Canada | Budget prints, in-store pickup | No | Yes |
| London Drugs Photolab | Canada | Canada | Western Canada in-store printing | No | Yes (BC/AB/SK/MB) |
| Staples Canada | USA | Canada | Documents and posters, in-store | No | Yes |
| Shutterfly Canada | USA | Canada | Photo books, cards | No | No |
| Photobook Canada | Malaysia | Malaysia | Layflat photo books | Varies | No |
| CanvasChamp | India | India | Low-cost canvas prints | Over $99 | No |
| Vistaprint Canada | Netherlands | Canada | Business printing, some photo products | No | No |
Table last checked: September 2026.
How we evaluated these services
We compared each company on seven factors that matter to Canadian buyers: where the products are physically made (this affects shipping time, duties, and returns), product range, print quality and materials, pricing including shipping, turnaround time to Canadian addresses, return and reprint policy, and customer reviews on independent platforms. Our own ranking of Posterjack reflects where we're strong and where we're not.
The 10 best photo printing services in Canada
1. Posterjack — best for wall art, large-format prints and photo books made in Canada
Products: Canvas prints, acrylic prints, framed prints, HD, matte and brushed metal prints, wood prints, gallery box, photoboards, satin and glossy photo prints, fine art (giclée) prints, metallic pearl prints, peel-and-stick prints, collage prints, layflat, hardcover and softcover photo books, calendars, folded cards, acrylic blocks, photo coasters, mugs.
Ownership and production: Canadian-owned and operated. All products printed and finished in Toronto, Ontario.
Turnaround: Two to five business days plus shipping across Canada by couriers. See shipping and production times.
Guarantee: In the case that there is an issue with your product, Posterjack will replace the product to your satisfaction. If we are unable to replace the product to your satisfaction, we will issue a full refund.
Best for: People who want a photo turned into finished wall art (canvas, metal, acrylic, framed) without customs, duties, or US shipping delays. Also a strong option for photo books and calendars.
Where we fall short: We don't offer same-day in-store pickup, and our small-print (4×6, 5×7) selection is narrower than a pharmacy photo counter. If you need a stack of 4×6s tonight, see Shoppers or Walmart below.
2. Black's — best for photo gifts, cards, and calendars
Black's is one of Canada's oldest photo brands (founded 1930, now an online-only service after its retail stores closed in 2015). Its catalogue is broad, with a very large personalized-gift range: mugs, puzzles, blankets, ornaments, engraved items, plus photo books, calendars, and standard prints. Wall art is available but is a smaller part of the offering. Canadian-owned, printed in Montreal, Canada. Free shipping on orders over $135.
Best for: Seasonal gifts and cards where you want many product types in one order.
3. Shoppers Drug Mart Photo — best for same-day prints
Powered by Fujifilm, Shoppers offers 4×6 and enlargement prints for in-store pickup at roughly 1,300 locations, plus photo books, cards, and some gifts. It's the fastest way to get standard prints in most Canadian cities.
Best for: Quick, inexpensive standard prints; last-minute framed gifts.
4. Walmart Photo Centre — best budget option
Low per-print pricing, in-store pickup nationwide, and a wide range of basic gifts. Print quality is consumer-grade rather than archival.
Best for: Volume printing of everyday snapshots.
5. London Drugs Photolab — best in Western Canada
A Canadian-owned retailer with in-store photolabs across BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Well regarded for staff expertise and professional-grade paper options.
Best for: Western Canadians who want in-person service.
6. Photobook Canada — best for photo books
Specialises in layflat and hardcover photo books with premium paper and cover options, plus calendars and cards. Books are produced and shipped from Malaysia.
Best for: Wedding and travel albums where the book itself is the product.
7. Shutterfly Canada — best for design templates
The Canadian arm of the US company. Strong templated designs for books and cards, and a wide range of prints. Products are produced in Canada by a syndicate of outsource manufacturing partners.
Best for: People who want heavy design assistance and templates.
8. Staples Canada — best for posters and documents
Primarily a document and business printer with basic photo prints and posters available for in-store pickup. Not a specialist, but convenient and fast.
Best for: Quick posters, foam-board mounting, presentation prints.
9. CanvasChamp — best for lowest-price canvas
An India-based company that ships to Canada. Very low canvas prices; longer shipping times and possible duties or customs delays. Quality is adequate for casual use.
Best for: Budget canvas where price matters more than turnaround.
10. Vistaprint Canada — best for business photo printing
Mainly business cards, banners, and marketing materials, but also offers canvas prints, calendars, and photo cards.
Best for: Small businesses ordering branded and photo items together.
How to choose a photo printing service in Canada
Check where the product is made, not just where the company sells. Several services with ".ca" storefronts ship from the United States or overseas, which can mean duties, brokerage fees, and two- to three-week delivery. For anything large or framed, Canadian production is the single biggest predictor of a smooth delivery.
Match the service to the product. Pharmacy and big-box photo counters are excellent for 4×6 prints and mediocre for wall art. Specialist wall-art printers are the reverse. Photo-book specialists usually beat generalists on binding and paper.
Compare the delivered price. Shipping on a 30×40 canvas is a significant cost. Look at free-shipping thresholds and whether they apply to oversize items.
Read the reprint and return policy before ordering. Custom prints generally can't be resold, so policies vary widely. A company that will reprint for image-quality problems at its own cost is signalling confidence in its production.
Order a sample if the print is expensive. Some companies, including Posterjack, sell a sample box of materials so you can see the difference between canvas, metal, and acrylic before committing.
Photo print materials explained
- Satin / lustre photo paper: Low glare, accurate colour; the standard choice for framing.
- Glossy: Higher contrast and saturation, but reflective.
- Fine art: Cotton or matte archival paper with pigment inks, for photographers and artists.
- Canvas: Warm, textured, no glass, lighter than framed prints.
- Metal (dye-sublimation aluminum): Very high contrast, waterproof, modern look; HD/glossy versions are the most vivid.
- Acrylic: Print face-mounted behind clear acrylic for depth and a gallery look; heaviest and most expensive.
- Wood: Grain shows through lighter areas for a rustic look.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best online photo printing service in Canada?
For wall art made in Canada, Posterjack. For photo books, Photobook Canada. For cheap same-day prints, Shoppers Drug Mart or Walmart. Black's is a strong all-rounder for gifts and cards. There is no single best service for every product.
Which photo printing companies are actually Canadian-owned?
Posterjack, Black's, Shoppers Drug Mart Photo (Loblaws), and London Drugs are Canadian-owned. Walmart, Staples, and Shutterfly are US-owned companies with Canadian operations. CanvasChamp is Indian-owned; Vistaprint is Dutch-owned.
Which services print in Canada?
Posterjack, Black's, Shoppers, Walmart Canada, London Drugs, Staples Canada, and Shutterfly Canada all produce orders in Canada.
How much does it cost to print photos in Canada?
Standard 4×6 prints range from roughly $0.20–$0.50 each at pharmacy and big-box counters. An 8×10 inkjet photo print typically costs $5.00-$8.00. A 16×20 canvas ranges from about $25.00 at budget importers to $100 at Canadian specialists. Prices checked September 2026.
How long does online photo printing take in Canada?
In-store pickup services offer same-day to next-day for standard prints. Canadian online specialists typically produce in 2–5 business days plus 1–5 days shipping. Orders produced outside Canada usually take two to three weeks including customs.
Is it cheaper to print photos at home?
For a few 4×6 prints, no. Ink and paper costs exceed pharmacy pricing. Home printing only makes sense for people who print constantly and own a dedicated photo printer.
What's the difference between a photo print and a poster print?
"Poster print" usually refers to large-format prints (18×24 and up) on satin or matte photo paper without mounting. "Photo print" typically means smaller sizes on photographic paper. Both are the same underlying product at different sizes.
Print your photos with Posterjack →
About the author: Vivien has worked in photo printing at Posterjack since 2023. Posterjack has printed over 1.65 million photos for Canadians since 2009 from its facility in Toronto. This article is updated annually; competitor details reflect publicly available information as of September 2026 and should be confirmed on each company's site.
