A method for printing an image in a distributed network system is described. The distributed network system includes an image provider system, a printing service provider system, and a user terminal coupled together via a network. First, a low resolution version of the image is received in the user terminal from the image provider system. The user can customize the low resolution image using typical image processing operations. The low resolution version of the image is then sent to the printing service provider system if the image is determined to be printed. Then the printing service provider system receives a high resolution version of the image from the image provider system such that the high resolution version instead of the low resolution version of the image is printed by the printing service provider system. The customization of the low resolution image is applied to the high resolution image before it is printed. A system for printing an image in a distributed network system is also described.