That doesn't sound like a bad idea Pete. I had my first go at printing photos the other day and it was rather fun. Besides you can get it to look properly exposed instead of the wishywashy stuff you sometimes get back from the shops.
It is much better. Mini labs take a colour reading from the first frame and apply it to the rest of the frames.
Doing it by hand means a much better print if a little bit fiddly,
PeteG