Posted by David Bostedo on September 7, 2006 at 10:58 AM
I've recently been thinking about printing a couple of my photos large (20x16, or 24x20, or so) and have never done so before. I've looked into several different places for getting this done. I was hoping someone could provide some guidance :
1) I live in Northern Virginia - does anyone know of a good lab in the area?
2) Per some older discussions on here, I've been contacting West Coast Imaging, and they seem wonderful. However, what would be the advantage of going with them, rather than someplace like Shutterfly, WinkFlash, or MPix? Has anyone gotten anything other than small prints from any of those kind of sites? Is there a big quality difference? MPix in particular seems a little more geared toward the professional.
We've "tinkered" with large production from discount/volume sources such as you cite, but not those specific ones. We regularly have labs produce large prints, so we're always on the lookout for alternate, and frankly cheaper sources. I can offer these general questions based upon our experiences comparing "pro" labs with "consumer" labs:
While the consumer labs may have the capability of producing the larger prints, how often do they do them? What portion of their business is large prints? And finally, how skilled are their workers?
While we occasionally have received good, large prints from the consumer alternatives, the results are highly variable. You might get a great one, go back the next day for another, and get rubbish from the same file. They're certainly worth a try if you are willing to risk the time and money involved, as well as endure the hassle of repeated attempts to get the print right.
The pro labs we deal with (not WCI, but comparable) have highly experienced people and make a significant portion of their income from large prints sold to very discriminating clients. They HAVE TO get them right. If something causes them concern in your submitted files, they will call you and discuss the issue before printing. In general terms, the more professional the results they strive for, the more specific they are in what formats and how you should prep your files for their printing. The wholesale pro lab we use (H&H) is so specific that we had to buy a $350 program (LabPrints) to prep image files to best synch with their system. And if there is the slightest hiccup in what we send them, they are instantly on the phone to us.
Discount outfits are certainly worth a try, but when you get good results I'd immediately learn the name of the specific machine operator who did the work, then insist that only THAT person can be allowed to do your future work. It's that variable from place to place and person to person.
Posted by Guy Tal on September 7, 2006 at 11:58 AM
I agree with Hank - one of the biggest advantages is the skill and attention you get from a pro lab. They will work with you to make sure the image is as you want it to be.
To me there's another advantage - flexibility. I can control as much of the process as I want to. I normally use their "preflight" service, allowing me to do all the the color, contrast, sizing, sharpening, soft proofing etc. work myself and just run it through their printer.
A good lab will work with you to identify and correct any problems in standards between your system and theirs before taking you on as a regular client, especially in monitor calibration. Once your system is compatible with theirs, it really frees you and allows you more access to the printing process.
We actually have three different color spaces on our machines- one for each of our labs- and switch between them depending upon who will be doing the print work on a specific job. Some prefer to do their own sharpening or have you do it "their" way. Some don't care. All the preliminary setup and adjustments to your system can seem like a real hassle when working with some pro labs, but the results are definitely worth the effort. Because we went through the hoops, we can send off files with absolute certainty of what we will get back. No repeat trips, no impatient clients, no wasted time.
Posted by Brent Murphy on September 7, 2006 at 4:00 PM
I do nearly all of my printing at White House Custom Color (http://www.whcc.com/). I've been very happy with the results. Inexpensive, great quality, and fast. I was initially disappointed when they switched from Fuji Crystal Archive to Kodal papers, but the results on the Kodak have been great.
Posted by Don Miller on September 7, 2006 at 9:44 PM
Be sure to get on the mailing list of West Coast Images and the other speciality California place whos name escapes me. They have periodic sales. For example, both will probably have a pre-Christams rush sale.
Posted by Bill Langton on September 8, 2006 at 2:26 PM
David...
While I agree that the relationship with a pro lab is an important one, especially when producing numerous prints, it sounds like you want to have "a couple" printed in larger sizes.
I can recommend MPix. They have done several prints for me in sizes up to 20"x30" and I have been very happy with the results. You can download their ICC profiles for softproofing and they will also send you a free sample print pack of their available finishes, etc.
Their packaging and shipping has also been first rate. I am very impressed with the quality and care put into each individual print, especially how they are packaged. Their turnaround time is also very fast - usually only one day.
You can view a demo video on their website that explains more about their operation.
I have used WCI for quite a while and have found the quality of their work and customer service to be exemplary. Definitely sign up for WCI"S newsletter. Not only do they advertise specials, but they always some good tips for digital imaging.
-PB
Posted by Jim Huddle on September 29, 2006 at 2:58 PM
It's been a few years but Colours was a local lab I used to use. In the Bailey's Crossroads area about a block behind the REI if I remember correctly. They were the last place I found in the area still printing illfordchromes. I honestly don't know if they are still in business.
Discussion
8 replies1) I live in Northern Virginia - does anyone know of a good lab in the area?
2) Per some older discussions on here, I've been contacting West Coast Imaging, and they seem wonderful. However, what would be the advantage of going with them, rather than someplace like Shutterfly, WinkFlash, or MPix? Has anyone gotten anything other than small prints from any of those kind of sites? Is there a big quality difference? MPix in particular seems a little more geared toward the professional.
Thanks a lot,
David Bostedo
While the consumer labs may have the capability of producing the larger prints, how often do they do them? What portion of their business is large prints? And finally, how skilled are their workers?
While we occasionally have received good, large prints from the consumer alternatives, the results are highly variable. You might get a great one, go back the next day for another, and get rubbish from the same file. They're certainly worth a try if you are willing to risk the time and money involved, as well as endure the hassle of repeated attempts to get the print right.
The pro labs we deal with (not WCI, but comparable) have highly experienced people and make a significant portion of their income from large prints sold to very discriminating clients. They HAVE TO get them right. If something causes them concern in your submitted files, they will call you and discuss the issue before printing. In general terms, the more professional the results they strive for, the more specific they are in what formats and how you should prep your files for their printing. The wholesale pro lab we use (H&H) is so specific that we had to buy a $350 program (LabPrints) to prep image files to best synch with their system. And if there is the slightest hiccup in what we send them, they are instantly on the phone to us.
Discount outfits are certainly worth a try, but when you get good results I'd immediately learn the name of the specific machine operator who did the work, then insist that only THAT person can be allowed to do your future work. It's that variable from place to place and person to person.
To me there's another advantage - flexibility. I can control as much of the process as I want to. I normally use their "preflight" service, allowing me to do all the the color, contrast, sizing, sharpening, soft proofing etc. work myself and just run it through their printer.
Guy
A good lab will work with you to identify and correct any problems in standards between your system and theirs before taking you on as a regular client, especially in monitor calibration. Once your system is compatible with theirs, it really frees you and allows you more access to the printing process.
We actually have three different color spaces on our machines- one for each of our labs- and switch between them depending upon who will be doing the print work on a specific job. Some prefer to do their own sharpening or have you do it "their" way. Some don't care. All the preliminary setup and adjustments to your system can seem like a real hassle when working with some pro labs, but the results are definitely worth the effort. Because we went through the hoops, we can send off files with absolute certainty of what we will get back. No repeat trips, no impatient clients, no wasted time.
While I agree that the relationship with a pro lab is an important one, especially when producing numerous prints, it sounds like you want to have "a couple" printed in larger sizes.
I can recommend MPix. They have done several prints for me in sizes up to 20"x30" and I have been very happy with the results. You can download their ICC profiles for softproofing and they will also send you a free sample print pack of their available finishes, etc.
Their packaging and shipping has also been first rate. I am very impressed with the quality and care put into each individual print, especially how they are packaged. Their turnaround time is also very fast - usually only one day.
You can view a demo video on their website that explains more about their operation.
Good luck...
Bill
I think you're referring to Calypso.
.....
I have used WCI for quite a while and have found the quality of their work and customer service to be exemplary. Definitely sign up for WCI"S newsletter. Not only do they advertise specials, but they always some good tips for digital imaging.
-PB