I spent HOURS trying to figure out how to affordably print my wedding album and also be able to get the prints quickly since I procrastinated and wanted to give my parents an album for Christmas. I didn't want to go to CVS or Walgreens because from my hours of research I was finding out that they (probably) do not print on archival paper, so the quality would not be as good as a real printer. Also, after spending all the money on professional photos I wanted good quality! I spent so much time on the Costco, Shutterfly and other websites, getting to the last screen where they surprise you with a $20-40 shipping fee and you're still not 100% sure whether the quality will be better than CVS. Well after pulling my hair out 5x over all this I was like, wait, are there local businesses that do this kind of thing? Well, to my surprise one of the ones in NJ happens to be 15 minutes from my house. Their website has all the info you could want (including all I needed to see - it listed their printers and said "archival" paper right there which even a noob like me could understand. And honestly their prices are great, way more affordable than I expected for a professional printer. Their Roes software to upload your pictures took a little getting used to but wasn't too bad, and you can pay right on the program. My prints were ready within about 2-3 days and I bet I could have gotten them even sooner because they ask if you have a deadline right on the software. I got an email when the order was ready for pickup. I was thinking about deducting a star because I ordered 1 8x10 ($2.75) and 2 5x7s ($0.76 ea) that I'm almost certain I never received in my pick-up; but I also never got a chance to call them and ask about it because of the holidays. In the end though I'm really happy with my experience and will use Elco again. read more

I've ordered many times from Elco. The prints come out amazing every single time, and they are very friendly to work with. Each shipment is packaged very securely and always arrives quickly. I would highly recommend, especially if you have work with saturated colors and lots of detail! It's definitely more expensive than getting a cheap print, but you really get what you pay for. The paper is a nice thickness, and I don't have to worry about converting my files to CMYK. read more

Go here if you need to develop film!! So much quicker and more convenient than going to a place like CVS. The staff is very friendly and reliable. Also you can receive all your pictures through dropbox and you don't have to manually scan pictures yourself! read more

The most customer friendly and high quality photo development in the state. They always go above and beyond each time we use them for our custom work. I've been using them for over 10 years and never had a problem. Very thankful for people in this business who are so attention to detail. Many friends and businesses who I referred them to have also become repeat customers. read more

El-Co Color Labs - Photography Stores & Services Near Me - Manalapan, New Jersey

Went here today to develop film. The worker who greeted me was unmasked. I asked if he had a mask he could put on - he rudely said "no", then slammed a piece of paper on the table in front of me and said "fill this out for your film." I hesitated because of the mask thing, considering we are still very much in the middle of a global pandemic and there is a spike AND also a new, even more highly contagious strain, but I approached the table anyway & looked at the sheet. Another worker came over to me & she got super close to me to ask me something, also unmasked. I took a few steps back and asked her "do you have a mask?" She looked at me as if I had 10 heads and we were not in the middle of a pandemic. She hesitated, said "no" then paused and said nothing more. I said "ok, I'm going to leave now" and I left. I'll be taking my business elsewhere. I wish I said more, but this all happened so quickly and I did not want to risk exposing myself any further to two unmasked individuals, indoors, in the midst of a pandemic that's killed hundreds of thousands. Covid isn't a joke. I don't appreciate any business that treats it as such. Not only is it disrespectful and immoral to not wear a mask when interacting with customers in this day and age, it is illegal. I'm really disappointed. I was looking forward to developing my film at a locally owned small business. Now I'll send it out to another place in NJ - don't want to risk my health or my family's for a few photos. read more

I forgot about Elco Colors for over 10 years after my first batch when we first opened our office. I couldn't remember the name and they never sent me reminders, sales, or anything. It's my fault I forgot. They print on REAL Fuji paper which still looks great after 10 years in our sunlit waiting room. Going to gather my drone shots and phone snaps for another order soon. Even an extrapolated 12.8 mp Cannon 5D Mk1 30x40 of an ocean beachside looks great after 10+ years! If anything, I should've sharpened it more, but from a few feet it looks like film. My memory is coming back, it must be the fish oil or something like that. Thank you, Elco Colors! Send me an email sometime. read more

I have used El-Co for over 10 years and maybe as long as 15. I have done prints by them as large as 30x48 and have done over 50 20x30s. I have never had even one problem. Their prices are very competitive. When I have had questions I was able to get answers quickly. Their switchboard operator is very helpful and pleasant. I want to emphasize that I am not related to anyone at the company. I have been involved with four camera clubs here on the Big Island of Hawaii and have recommended El-CO to them and have heard nothing but praise. I can't speak highly enough about them. Rick Decker rickadecker@gmail.com read more

How could no one have ever written a review of this place? I was told about El-Co when I met the head of the photo department of Rutgers University at a Starbucks in the City. They are based in central New Jersey, but their best deals are online. They have a "Poster Special and a "Print Special". The make HUGE photo prints on lustre or glossy paper for cheap. These are photographic prints from a digital file, NOT inkjet. They are silver halide photographic Fuji Professional Crystal Archive Super Type PD Luster, CD Glossy and Kodak Professional Endura Metallic, processed in Fuji Professional RA-4 chemistry. I ordered two 20x30 ($9.95 each) and one 30x40 ($19.90) prints. I had them delivered at my door 31 hours after I placed my order. The prints were excellent quality. ______ read more

I have to chime in here- I have two sons who participate in sports (Little League, etc.), and I usually take pictures ofthe team in action. At the end of the season, I'll select a picture of each kid on the team, crop it, and upload it to Elco to get a 20x30 poster of each as a memento. The quality of these are really stunning- the sharper the picture, the more breathtaking the results. And it's only $9.95 each- and if you order more than 10 you get free ground UPS shipping. And these are on real photographic paper, this is not an inkjet print. And turnaround is FAST! I uploaded the latest pictures at 2:30 in the morning on Monday. At 10am on Tuesday, the UPS guy showed up at our office in north Jersey with a huge tube with 12 posters in it. One other thing I have to mention- the care and attention to the packed prints- they come in a big mailing tube with groups of 3-4 prints together. Each group has sheets of paper separating it from the other groups of posters, and the whole thing has bubble wrap around the ends, and more bubble wrapped in the tube so the whole thing doesn't rattle around and damage the prints. So it comes as prints wrapped around a small tube and then placed inside a larger one. I've ordered from them a handful of times over the past few years, and always gotten great service. Once I lost my Internet connection in the middle of uploading, and re-uploaded everything after reconnected, and sent them an email explaining what happened, and they handled it no problem. I'm not a pro photographer, but these guys really bring it in terms of both service and quality. read more

I've used El-Co Color Labs several times over the years to make large promo posters (of performance photos) for our opera company and theatre company. I uploaded digital files onto their site using their easy-to-use ROES system. Their prices are ridic and they ship superfast. High quality prints on quality paper. Only recently did I hear people recommend them for regular professional photo prints--will have to check them out for my headshots. read more

I'm fairly certain that El-Co employs wizards. I ordered a ton of prints yesterday afternoon, and they arrived on my doorstep today, packed to perfection, looking fantastic, with a price that can't be beat. read more

I have been using elco to print my photographs (poster special) for probably 8 or 10 years. Their prices are great and the color accuracy is always perfect. Just yesterday I ordered eight 30x60 prints around 2pm and I already have them in hand today (Boston). Their customer service is always friendly helpful and knowledgeable. I will continue to use and recommend them as long as I possibly can. read more

In a world of images seen on 2 inch lcd displays El-Co's poster prints are a revelation. They print up to 30" x 60" and the quality is outstanding. read more

I've used El-Co for a couple of my gallery shows for iPhone photography. They do a great job and I recommend them to everybody. They did all the prints for the show running all year at Markham Vineyards in St. Helena, CA. The prints look amazing. Everybody has been thrilled with their work. read more

super professional team -- great results -- fast service -- used them twice now for odd shaped photos / frames and very happy.

I've used this place several times. I've always been very happy with the quality work I've received. Whether it is a small family portrait. Or billboard sized work add- the work is always quality. Good people. read more

I love these guys. I live in Brooklyn and they come through in ONE day! The quality is great, and the price is amazing. I'm not a photographer, but I work with photographs in my work. The price is really great. Thank you Elco!!! read more

Literally AMAZING. Awesome quality, dedicated to getting your prints to you by the time you need, amazing communication, fantastic staff. Just really a GEM. I must admit that I hate sharing my best kept secrets, but the service and quality here is really amazing so how can I not recommend to others?? read more