Smallwoods vs. Walgreens: My Honest Take on Printing Oversized Family Photos

If you've ever walked through my house, you know I don't do bare walls. Our home here in East Tennessee is full of faces.. my kids at every age, family heirlooms passed down through the years, and a handful of everyday moments I caught on my phone that turned out to be some of my very favorites. Some hang in simple frames I picked up at Hobby Lobby or HomeGoods. Others are framed canvases and textured prints I ordered in bigger sizes for the spots that deserved something special.

I've printed (and reprinted!) a lot of oversized photos over the years, and two places keep coming up for me: Smallwoods and Walgreens. I've personally used both. I like both for different reasons, and there are a few things I'd steer you away from with each. So here's my honest, real-life comparison to help you decide where to print your own family photos.



The quick answer

If you want a frame that feels like part of your home's design and you're happy to wait on shipping, I lean toward Smallwoods, especially their framed textured prints and framed canvas. If you need something today or you're working with a tighter budget, Walgreens is a solid option. Just know that in my experience their shipped canvases are a step above the ones made same day in store.

Smallwoods: beautiful framing for a home that tells a story

Smallwoods has a wide variety of print products to choose from. Over time I've ordered framed smooth prints with a plexi front, framed textured prints with a plexi front, and framed canvas prints, all in different frame colors and dimensions.

What I love about Smallwoods

The framing selection is the big one for me. Our home leans very neutral and natural, and their frames fit that look beautifully. They feel intentional, like they were made to live in your space rather than sit on a shelf at a big box store. (They've since added some trendier frame styles too, so if your taste runs more modern or bold, there's something for you as well.)

Their framed textured prints are my favorite. The images look crisp, and the texture gives the photo a depth that makes you want to stop and look a little longer.

I also love their framed canvas. A lot of people choose a wrapped canvas for their home or as a gift, and those are lovely. But I personally prefer canvas with a frame around it. It elevates the artwork (your photos!) instantly and makes a family photo feel like a true piece of art.

What I'd skip

Their smooth prints. In my experience, the image comes out grainy, and it's just not the look I want on my walls. I reached out to their customer service about it more than once and it never got resolved for me. That said, it hasn't changed how I feel about their other products. I still order from Smallwoods, and I've happily recommended their textured prints and framed canvas to friends and family.

Price and timing

Smallwoods sits on the pricier side, but they typically run sales around holidays throughout the year. My advice: watch for those and time your purchases for some real savings. They also carry cute home décor prints and pieces beyond photo products, which I've had my eye on a time or two.

Walgreens: convenience and a budget-friendly canvas

Walgreens prints canvas photos too, and the biggest perk is speed. Their canvas prints are available for free same day pickup in sizes like 8x10, 11x14, 12x12 and 16x20, printed right in the store. At the time I'm writing this, unframed canvas starts at $39.99 and framed canvas starts at $59.99 before any sales. They also offer gold and chocolate framed canvas options that ship free to your local store in about 5 to 10 business days.

My experience with Walgreens canvas

The same day canvases can be a lifesaver in a pinch (hello, last minute gift!). But in my experience, they aren't quite the same quality as the canvases shipped from a print facility. In store, the job can feel rushed, and the finish has sometimes come home looking a little sloppy. Not always, but I've taken more than one back to the store to have it fixed. If you have the time, I'd go with a shipped order.

Walgreens does offer framed canvas, but the frame colors and materials are limited. If the standard offerings fit your style, this could be a great option for you!

Where Walgreens really shines

They run sales all the time, so if you keep an eye out, you can walk away with a real bargain. And I can't deny.. if you're not looking to print oversized, a basic photo print tucked into a frame from your favorite store can still be your best (and most budget friendly) option.

Smallwoods vs. Walgreens at a glance

Choose Smallwoods if you want design-forward framing, love a neutral and natural look (or something a little trendier), and don't mind waiting on shipping. My favorites are their framed textured prints and framed canvas, and I'd skip the smooth prints. Expect a higher price tag, so watch for their holiday sales.

Choose Walgreens if you need something today, want a quick gift, or are working with a tighter budget. Same day pickup and free ship to store make it easy, and their sales run often. Frame options are limited to a few standard colors, and if you can wait, I'd choose a shipped canvas over same day.

A few printing tips from behind the camera

Whichever printer you choose, start with the original, highest resolution file you have. Photos saved from a text message or social media are compressed and won't hold up when printed big. Take an extra minute with the crop preview so no one loses the top of their head. And mix it up! A wall with different sizes, finishes and frames feels collected over time rather than bought all at once.

Why I'll always encourage you to print your photos

In our home, you'll find a good mix of basic prints in store bought frames, framed wrapped canvases, framed textured prints and more. I love a good variety, and I'm sentimental at heart. Every wall tells a little piece of our story.

To me, a home full of meaningful memories and familiar faces is far more beautiful than a home filled with the same prints everyone else picked up at the same store. Those faces are what make a house feel like yours.

So capture those memories, even with your own cell phone. Print them out. Hang them up. Make fun photo books for the coffee table. Give them as gifts to the people who'd treasure them most. But I beg you, get them off of your phone! There's nothing quite like walking past a photo on the wall and getting a sweet flashback to the wonderful life you're living each and every day.

And when you're ready for a few photos worth printing big, that's where I come in. I photograph families, friends, couples and pets across Maryville, Knoxville and the Tri-Cities, with natural, timeless images made to live on your walls for years to come. You can learn more or grab a gift certificate here.

Frequently asked questions

Is Smallwoods worth the price?

For statement pieces, I think so, especially their framed textured prints and framed canvas. Their framing is what sets them apart. To save, time your order around their holiday sales.

Are Walgreens same day canvas prints good quality?

They're convenient and affordable, but in my experience the same day canvases aren't as polished as shipped orders. Look yours over before you leave the store, and if you have time, choose a shipped option.

Is framed canvas better than wrapped canvas?

Both are beautiful. Wrapped canvas gives a clean, modern look, while a framed canvas feels more finished and elevated. I personally prefer framed.

Can I print oversized photos from my phone?

Yes! Today's phone cameras can print surprisingly large. Just upload the original photo file, not a screenshot or a version saved from a text or social media.