LifePics Support for Dealers and Consumers

What can I do with online imaging?
This new service allows you to organize, share, print, edit, and archive your photos on our web site. You can create custom albums and invite all your friends and family from anywhere in the world to view them online. Order all the reprints and enlargements that you would like to have, then simply choose to have them picked-up at any one of our store locations, or have them mailed to you or anyone of your choosing.

How do I register for this service?
Simply fill out the online registration form and select your customized password, which will give you exclusive access to your private images and albums.

How much does this service cost and what do I get?
Our basic service is free. You can upload an unlimited number of photos for editing, sharing and printing. If you wish to keep a photo on our service for more than 60 days, you will need to purchase long term storage.

How do I pay for this service?
Any service that you order online can be paid for online with the following major credit cards issued by US banks: Visa, Master Card, Discover, and American Express. Please look over our User Agreement for additional details on payments for services provided, your options, and our liabilities.

How can I add long term storage?
At any time simply login and click on the "Storage" bar on the upper left side of the screen to view whether you have purchased long term storage. Long term storage provides you with the ability to keep your images on the site for more than 60 days. This provides you a safe and secure place to preserve your images. If something happens to your PC or your hard drive, your images will still be saved.

How long does it take to view my pictures online?
If you upload your images directly from your personal computer, you can start experiencing the benefits of online imaging immediately. If you want this service performed from your rolls of film, regular service to view your images is within 48 hours.

How do I place my images online?
Once you have registered for online imaging services, you can view your images online in two simple ways:

1) Upload your digital files from your own computer. You may do this by downloading your images into your PC from your digital camera, flatbed scanner, or film scanner, and then use the multi-file upload utility on our website to transfer all of your images to our image archive. If you have a digital camera, this service allows you to download all of your images from your digital memory cards and reuse your cards over and over again, saving you the expense of buying additional memory cards.

2) Drop off your 35mm or APS film at any location and ask to have your pictures digitally scanned and uploaded to the web. Simply make sure you furnish the e-mail address you would like to use to access your images.

How do I view my images?
When you first login to your account, click on either the "My New Rolls" or "My Albums" link. These links are located on the left-hand side of the page. The "My New Rolls" link will take you to the area in our website where you can view the rolls that have been uploaded by . Once there, simply click on the new roll you wish to open and view. The "My Albums" link will take you to your previously created albums where you can click on the album you wish to open and view.

Is it possible to view images larger than thumbnails?
Absolutely. When you first login to your account, you will see your images as small thumbnails within the "my new rolls" and/or "my albums" sections. Click on the roll or album you wish to view. To see the medium resolution size of a particular image, simply click on the image that you wish to enlarge or select the "View" link beneath the desired image. The medium resolution image will then appear in the middle of your screen.

How and why should I move my pictures into albums?
As soon as your images are uploaded they will appear in the "My New Rolls" section of the website for you to preview. From there it is easy to move or copy your images into albums for you to share, organize and edit. Simply create and title a new album by clicking on "Create Album". Return to "My New Rolls" and select each image you wish to place in that album by clicking a checkmark in the small select box directly below each image, or simply use the "Select all images in album" function near the top of the screen. While the images are selected, click on "Copy/Move" in the upper-right corner of the screen. The "Move" function will take the selected images out of new rolls and place them into albums, while the "Copy" function will leave the selected images in the new rolls section and duplicate them in the new album as well. Choose one of these functions and then select the album you have created and click on the gray "Copy/Move" button at the bottom of the screen. Now that your images are placed in albums, you can add titles and captions to both albums and individual images by using the "Edit" feature, and then organize your photos by moving them between albums. You can now share this album with friends and family through e-mail using the "Share Album" and/or "Send Postcard" links. To keep your account organized, it is usually best to transfer your images into albums soon after they are uploaded. This allows you to organize, share, and edit them right away while leaving an open space for your new rolls to be uploaded. To keep your albums manageable we recommend limiting individual album sizes to 100 images or less.

How do I send an electronic postcard of one of my images to a friend?
You can send an electronic postcard of any image by viewing the medium resolution image and clicking on the "Send Postcard" link to the right of that image. To view a medium resolution image simply go to "My New Rolls" or "My Albums" and click on a thumbnail image. After selecting the "Send Postcard" link you will need to enter the e-mail address of the recipient(s) (you must use comma's to separate multiple e-mail addresses) or select the recipient(s) from your address book and enter your name. For more information on using your address book, please see one of the following FAQ's "How do I use the address book...". Optional fields include adding a caption to the image as well as a lengthier message or description. You can also choose to share the entire album with the same person by clicking on the "Share this Album" box below the message box. See the Next FAQ "How do I share my albums..." for more information.

How do I share my albums with my family and friends?
Once you have moved your images into albums, you can share the albums via e-mail by using the "Share Album" and/or "Send Postcard" links. For more information on using the "Send Postcard" link, please see the previous FAQ "How do I send an electronic postcard..." To use the "Share Album" link simply click on this link when you are viewing the album you wish to share. First you will be asked to provide a password every guest visiting your album will use for security purposes. Then you can enter the e-mail addresses of the people you wish to share the album with or select the e-mail addresses from your address book. You can enter as many addresses as you wish, separated with comma's, and you are able to remove any one of them at any time. For more information on using your address book, please see the following FAQ "How do I use the address book...". After you have entered or selected the e-mail addresses, you can include a personal greeting to be read by those who will be viewing the album. Each person will receive an automated e-mail containing your greeting, password, and a hotlink into your photofinisher's Online Imaging service. Once they click on the hotlink and enter the password, they will be able to view this album within your account and order prints from your photofinisher as well. Whenever you unshare a recipient's address from your shared album list, that person will receive an automated email message noting the change in the sharing status and they will no longer be able to view your album.

How do I use the address book to send postcards and share albums?
The address book link is available after you select to send a postcard or share an album as outlined in the two previous FAQ's. Clicking on the address book link enables you to choose recipients for your postcards and shared albums without having to retype email addresses. If a recipient is not listed in your address book simply click on the Add New Contact link. You also have the ability to edit existing information or delete contacts. When you send a postcard or share an album with a new recipient that is not listed in your address book, their address is automatically entered for future use. To select contacts from your address book, please click on the address book link. From the available list of addresses simply check the box of the individual(s) you would like to have receive a postcard/shared album. After making your selection click on the "Use Selected Contacts" button which will return you to the postcard or album share page with the recipient/guest field populated with the selection you made in the address book.

Some of my pictures appear sideways. Is it possible to flip, edit, or crop?
You can rotate images by viewing the medium resolution image and then selecting either the rotate left or rotate right buttons located beneath the center of the image. You also have the option of rotating images, as well as performing additional edits such as cropping, red eye reduction and a variety of other alterations, within the editing tools. To access the editing tools select the "Edit Image" link when viewing the medium resolution image.

How do I edit my images with the editing tools?
Extensive help on how to crop, adjust brightness, reduce red-eye, etc. can be found by clicking on the "Need Help?" button on the lower right side of the editing tools user interface. To access the edit tools select the "Edit Image" link when viewing any medium resolution image.

How do I order prints?
It is very convenient to order prints and enlargements online from . While viewing images within an album, simply select the images you wish to purchase by clicking a checkmark in the small select box directly below each image, or if you wish to purchase a print of every image within that album use the "Select all images in album" function near the top of the screen. Once selected, click on "Order" in the upper-right portion of the screen. In the next screen you will see each image you have selected accompanied by options to choose the print size and quantity of each image. After you have selected a print size and quantity, click on "Add" and the product will be added to your shopping cart. Please note, If you are ordering an image that you previously cropped and saved within the editing tools, please be sure and order the print size that matches the aspect ratio (i.e. 3.5x5, 4x7, etc) you previously selected. If the print size does not match the crop selection (3.5x5, 4x7, etc), the image will be automatically cropped by the lab operator and the print you receive may not be what you expected. Once you have finished selecting your products, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click on "Secure Checkout". You will be asked for your credit card information and whether you want to pick up the prints at a location or have them mailed directly to you or to someone else.

When I order prints, are they printed from high-resolution files?
All images are scanned, stored, and printed, at the highest resolution possible, giving you the opportunity to order up to a 12 x 18 inch enlargement.

When I order prints online, how long will it take to complete the order?
When your order is received by , which generally occurs shortly after the order is placed, an e-mail message will be sent to you. This e-mail will read "order printed" and it states that the order is being processed. In most cases, your order will be completed within one business day.

I have a credit (dollars off and/or free prints), how can I use this credit?
After logging into your account, adding images to your shopping cart and selecting prints to order, your promotions are displayed as [CREDIT] or [DISCOUNT] near the bottom of the shopping cart page, below the subtotal. In other words, the promotions are automatically deducted from your order total. Please note that free prints are only good for 4x6 prints.

I have a coupon code that was given to me by , how can I use this?
After adding images to your shopping cart and choosing the prints you would like to order, proceed to checkout and the resulting page is where you enter your billing and shipping information. At the bottom of this page is an area where you can enter the coupon code. Enter the code in this box and click Continue. The coupon value will be subtracted from the subtotal and the revised total will appear on the resulting page.

I have a credit and a coupon code. Can I use both existing credit and a coupon on the same order?
Yes you can. When placing an order, enter the coupon in the coupon code box and the shopping cart will automatically total the remaining balance, if any, from the combination of the credit on your account and the coupon. Please note that free prints are only good for 4x6 prints. Also note if you are combining free prints, dollars off and a coupon on the same order, the free prints are applied first, the coupon value is applied second (coupons consist of either dollars off or a percentage discount) and the dollars off credit is deducted from the sub-total.

What does file size, or image resolution mean?
Each digital image has a certain resolution depending on the number of pixels within that image. More pixels mean higher resolution, which in turn means more detail either on your computer monitor or on the prints that you have printed. Also, the higher the resolution of the image uploaded, the larger you will be able to print photographs and retain a desired quality.

What is the resolution of my images uploaded to the web?
If you are uploading images to our site directly, we maintain the original resolution of each image that you upload. Please check your digital camera or your digital scanner to determine the resolution of your images.

What size pictures can I get from my digital files?
The following is the minimum recommended file size to picture size guide:

640x480 pixels minimum: 3.5" x 5" print

900x600 pixels minimum: 4" x 6" print

1024x768 pixels minimum: 5" x 7" print

1220x960 pixels minimum: 8" x 10" print

1600x1200 pixels minimum: 12" x 18" print

How many images can I store?
You can upload an unlimited amount of images for editing, printing, and sharing. If you wish to keep an image for more than 60 days, you will need to purchase long term storage.

Do you store/archive at the uploaded resolution?
Yes. We do not limit the size of your uploaded files.

Is it possible to change my password?
To change your password, simply click on "My Account" at the bottom of any page, and then choose "Update Your On-Line Account". From there you will be able to update all of your personal information including your address, phone number, e-mail address, and your password.

The following is a list of common questions that are frequently asked about LifePics, our business model, and our interface. Please feel free to call us should you have any other questions.

Do you compete with my photofinishing business?
Never. LifePics is a business-to-business technology provider. We are completely dedicated to assisting you and your business in providing the most powerful and comprehensive online imaging solution in the market. Online imaging is the wave of the future for any current photofinishing entity. We are convinced that offering these services to your customers will not only create the highest customer retention you have ever had, but will also add to your company's capability to offer incremental profitable services and solutions never before imagined. If a customer reaches our website, they are forwarded to your store for film digitization, image upload, and print fulfillment.

Do you compete with my hardware sales business?
Never. LifePics does not sell anything directly to consumers, nor are we in the hardware business. All interested customers that would like to purchase equipment are directed back to network participating stores.

How much does it cost to get started with the LifePics Online Imaging?
Call us for details on our new low start-up fee pricing.

How long is the contract/agreement commitment that I am signing with LifePics?
The LifePics Dealer agreement is a one-year agreement.

What do I need to start offering online imaging services?
A high-speed film scanner and at least a 256kb/sec Internet access line (DSL or faster). If you do not currently have a digital minilab, your fulfillment (printing) can be done by either our designated wholesale lab, or by your designated partner. Either way, you can start offering uploading services immediately or offer fulfillment via a designated partner, and switch to your in-house fulfillment when you get your digital lab in. You also need to have a web site, or at least a splash page that we can link off of.

Can you help me in getting started if I do not have any of the above?
Yes. We can help you shop for the most economical bandwidth connection in your market, and connect you with strategic partners that can provide you with scanner technologies at appropriate savings. Lastly, we can build for you a splash page to lead your customers into your online imaging services.

Do you collect the funds? Or do my customers pay me directly?
You (the dealer) own your customized shopping cart! Every transaction is paid to you directly, and is deposited into your own account at your own bank! LifePics helps you get set-up with an Internet credit card processing company (ie. Authorize.net), and ideally, you need to set-up a separate bank account that accepts all of your daily payment deposits from your customers. LifePics sends you a statement at the end of each month tabulating the revenues generated, and a bill payable to LifePics due the 10th of the following month. This allows you to essentially finance your company's growth by using all the monies deposited into your account before any printing is done by you, or even paying LifePics for our dues.

What are the fees administered by LifePics for providing me this service?
LifePics simply charges you 5% of any print order generated by your digital lab (before credit card charges are deducted from your bank). There are no other click fees or other dues administered-period. This is currently the lowest commission charged to you in the industry.

What if I do not offer any printing right now, and the print fulfillment is done by your wholesaler? Do the fees change?
All the monies generated are still deposited in your account, but you will be billed at a higher rate, retaining over 35% GM on any printing done by your customers (before credit card charges).

Does my customer's credit card statement reflect my store's/company's name?
Yes! You own the shopping cart, the transaction, and the customer completely and exclusively. When you customers receive their credit card statements, any service paid for at your store will have your store's name on that statement. You are the exclusive relationship with that customer.

Who owns the customers and the customer information?
Each dealer owns his or her customers completely and exclusively. The agreement that you sign with LifePics states that we will never solicit, rent, share, or sell any of your customers' information or metadata, nor will we ever contact your customers directly.

Can I contact my customers and solicit business from them?
LifePics will provide you with the ability to offer promotions via e-mail marketing 4 times per year at no charge. In our attempts to continually increase traffic into your store, you can promote your services to your online imaging customers quarterly at no charge to you at all. This is another great value, which allows you to keep in contact with your customers effectively and efficiently, and selling them additional products and services.

How do I make money from online imaging services?
You make money by offering fulfillment from web orders, offering archiving services for your customers' images, selling a-la-carte services such as high res. downloads, wireless download feature, or selling additional storage space. You will also be positioning your company to offer incredibly lucrative shoe-box conversions, scanning and sharing services to your customers, generating yet additional fulfillment from your customers' friends and families, and creating one of the best customer retention programs that you have ever offered in your business.

How do I compete with existing online imaging portals and service providers?
By signing up with LifePics, you are empowered to offer as powerful of services as any major venture-backed company in the United States. Your customers would never need to go anywhere else. Should you also offer your own in-house print fulfillment, you can actually offer 1-hour image scanning/viewing services, and 1-hour print fulfillment from the web. The best your competitor currently offers in 4-7 days for image uploading and viewing, and another 4-7 days for no rush print fulfillment.

Are there any additional fees for each location that I have?
No. There are no fees to pay LifePics to offer online imaging services at any or all of your store locations.

Can I charge for uploading my customers' rolls of film?
Of Course. LifePics believes that charging or not charging for uploading rolls of film to the Internet is a market-driven proposition. The average price for film uploads ranges from free to $5.95. LifePics does not get involved with this pricing strategy, nor do we retain a commission from your dues.

What does the LifePics interface allow me to do?
Your customers can upload, view, organize, share, order reprints and other fulfillments in a very intuitive, organized web interface. Sequencing and organizing albums are a part of the online imaging experience, along with album annotations, picture captions, key word searches, and image retrieval tools that make getting pictures organized a breeze. LifePics also offers sophisticated editing tools that allow for red-eye reduction, zoom, crop, B&W, Sepia, special effects, and flip, along with creative templates with customized messages.

Where is the Lifepics archive?
LifePics and the actual data center are located at 5777 Central Avenue in Boulder, Colorado.

Who is LifePics?
Veterans from the photofinishing and the specialty photo retail industry formed LifePics to address the technology needs of the traditional brick and mortar photofinisher. All our resources go into developing the best and most complete solution for photofinishers to provide satisfied online imaging customers by building customer loyalty and retention to each respective business. LifePics increases photofinishing services and profits to each member dealer.

Do you send me a computer to receive my files?
No. Each dealer receives proprietary software that gets downloaded on the PC already connected to your digital lab. You do not need to worry about hardware getting dated that you have to replace down the road.

How automated is the workflow on my DLS?
Very. LifePics is one of the first Kodak partners that has developed third party proprietary solutions that enhances the offerings of any "DLS" empowered digital lab via Kodak's KIAS (Kodak Image Access Solutions) open network. Your lab operator simply enters an additional field (e-mail address) and the images are automatically uploaded (SCAN ONCE!) and e-mail correspondence automatically sent out to the consumer. The print fulfillment is just as easy, with orders simply coming to the DLS wip (Work in Progress) as they are generated. Prints are printed by the click of a button.

What do I need to do to get things started?
Simply call us at (303) 413-9500 x250 or e-mail us at info@lifepics.com. We will send you a contract immediately along with any other detail that you need to get started in the lucrative online imaging business.