I'm looking for a good lab too...one that does professional quality work without breaking my pocketbook. I've ordered some prints from myphotopipe.com...they haven't arrived yet. I like the look of their services but don't know how the prints will be. I'm hoping to find one that will do consistent work. I've ordered prints in the past from photoworks.com. I was very pleased with the first run, but the second batch was not too good. I've also ordered from West Coast Imaging which does very good work, and they are highly recommended, but a little more expensive. I'm looking for something geared more toward portrait work though. Hopefully we'll get some other good suggestions here!
Before I got my big Epson printer, I used to use Pictopia, www.pictopia.com. They made excellent Light Jet prints.
- Dan.
Posted by Sharon Menke on July 5, 2007 at 12:11 PM
Is it better to take your photos to a lab, or print them out yourself? I am just starting out and I have a color printer that I am happy with, but I would like to print bigger. The largest that I can go right now is 8 X 10. It is not the best printer [HP psc 2110v], but it serves it purpose. Was looking to add another later.
I've never printed my own...I don't want to put the $$ into it right now. If you know what you're doing, you can have control over the printing process, color, etc. doing it yourself.
The website you use (or printing at home) and how happy you are with it will depend on how picky you are, and how much control you want to have over your photos. For many people (most?) the usual bulk sites will be good enough. Places like :
These places are cheap, with good quality, but a limited selection of papers and sizes. They also may not be as rigorous about repeatable results. They'll probably have the quickest turn around though. A little more advanced than that are the professionally geared places, like :
These places offer much more in terms of profiles, papers, size options, etc. If you are doing volume runs, they'll work with you to get the most out of your prints. They may be more expensive, and possibly slower, but the quality will definitely be there.
The final option is printing yourself - the main advantage of which is that you have total control : papers, profiles, tones, experimenting. Granted, this is probably not as cheap as getting things done for you (unless you do quite a few large prints), but it sure can be fun and satisfying.
And please note that there are MANY other websites and print shops than those I listed above. Those are just the ones I've looked at or used.
Thanks David for those suggestions. I wanted to let Douglas know that I just received the 5X7 prints that I ordered from myphotopipe.com, and am VERY pleased. My main concern was color...I had a couple of images that printed with a weird color cast before, but they came out beautifully from myphotopipe.com.
unless you are technically savvy and want to deal with the headaches, I'd recommend outsourcing your printing. I really like Calypso Imaging for big prints. Some less expensive places do great smaller prints as well.
btw, if you do printing in quantity like commercial portrait / wedding jobs perhaps a service like Pictage might be better. the only overhead you'd have is the monthly subscription, the rest of the fees are on the consumer. you pocket the rest depending on what prices you set. be forewarned though that Pictage is pretty aggressive in marketing to you if you register with them... PhotoShelter is another good alternative if you've got your own website.
When I need prints larger than 13" x 19" I use Photocraft Imaging in Boulder, Colorado. They do Lightjet prints at a very reasonable price--for Lightjet prints anyway. The website is www.photocraftlab.com Randy
I've been very happy with the prints from West Michigan Photo Works. They produce excellent prints and there are a lot of choices when it comes to printing, plus their price is reasonable.
Thanks for all the suggestions . I'll check out some of these sites and see what works best for me.
Posted by Pat Warfield on July 8, 2007 at 10:14 AM
www.fullcolor.com/
For people in the heartland - Full Color, in Dallas, TX is a full service lab. Very fast turn-a-round. Upload before noon often - receive by UPS the following day. Lab time depends upon additional mounting or spray services. Prices are good. This lab & probably several other pro labs offer a sizable discount on large- 16x & larger the 1st 3 months of the year. Photographers can order display prints - you want to show prints at least one size larger than most customers will buy. Many people will say - "I want the next smaller size . . .!"
Discussion
13 replies- Dan.
Kodak EasyShare
Wink Flash
MPix
Snap Fish
These places are cheap, with good quality, but a limited selection of papers and sizes. They also may not be as rigorous about repeatable results. They'll probably have the quickest turn around though. A little more advanced than that are the professionally geared places, like :
West Coast Imaging
White House Custom Color
These places offer much more in terms of profiles, papers, size options, etc. If you are doing volume runs, they'll work with you to get the most out of your prints. They may be more expensive, and possibly slower, but the quality will definitely be there.
The final option is printing yourself - the main advantage of which is that you have total control : papers, profiles, tones, experimenting. Granted, this is probably not as cheap as getting things done for you (unless you do quite a few large prints), but it sure can be fun and satisfying.
And please note that there are MANY other websites and print shops than those I listed above. Those are just the ones I've looked at or used.
Fast service and many options.
MK
For people in the heartland - Full Color, in Dallas, TX is a full service lab. Very fast turn-a-round. Upload before noon often - receive by UPS the following day. Lab time depends upon additional mounting or spray services. Prices are good. This lab & probably several other pro labs offer a sizable discount on large- 16x & larger the 1st 3 months of the year. Photographers can order display prints - you want to show prints at least one size larger than most customers will buy. Many people will say - "I want the next smaller size . . .!"
Regards to all,
Pat Warfield