Self-serve kiosks come in two varieties, kiosks that incorporates a photo printer, and kiosks that work with a traditional minilab photo processor.
Kiosks incorporating a photo printer (such as KODAK Picture Maker G3 and Fujifilm Aladdin Digital Centers) allow you to scan a print or import a digital image from a CD or a memory card. You can modify and correct images, create greeting cards and produce traditional prints. After you order your prints, they are produced in the machine and you can take them home right away. Some kiosks will allow you to create a CD from pictures you have scanned or downloaded from a memory card so you have an archive for future use.
Minilabs often incorporate a self-serve kiosk that functions much in the same way as kiosks that incorporates a photo printer. The difference is the prints are produced by a minilab processor manned by technicians instead of a built-in photo printer. If you are ordering a large quantity of prints, it will be faster to use a kiosk that works with a minilab.
Advantage: All You Need is a Camera and a Memory Card
Some people are hesitant about buying a digital camera because they think they have to own a computer as well. This is not true. You can buy a digital camera and use it just like a film camera. Drop off your memory card rather than a roll of film or order at the kiosk. You can request a picture CD so your pictures are preserved after you erase your memory card.
Advantage: Convenience
No paper or ink to buy, no time spent at the printer or computer. Just order your prints and pick them up.
Advantage: Longevity and Durability
Prints made by a lab are produced on traditional photographic paper rather than inkjet paper. It is much more resistant to fading than inkjet paper and ink, and is much harder to damage as well.
Advantage: Print Quality
Modern equipment used by photofinishers is very accurate and automatically color-corrects and optimizes your digital photos for printing. If you use a lab rather than an inkjet printer, your pictures will likely come back perfect every time. If you are not satisfied with the prints you receive, you can request that they be re-printed and most labs will accommodate you so you are satisfied.
Advantage: Cost
If you are making small prints such as 4 x 6 inches, print-for-print is is usually less expensive to have them produced at a lab rather than with a inkjet or dye-sub printer.
When wasted paper and ink is taken into consideration, you save even more. At print sizes of 8 x 10 and above, inkjet printing and lab printing costs are more comparable, as long as you do not waste paper. If it takes you three tries to get a satisfactory 8 x 10 print form you inkjet printer, it would probably have been cheaper to use a lab to begin with.
http://www.digitalcamerau.com/2006/12/29/why-use-a-lab-or-kiosk-to-print-your-digital-photos/
Source: www.articledashboard.com
