Hello everyone. I can print my photos out decently at home on my printer with some glossy paper and such, but where can I take them to get a printout that is professional grade? I live in the Asheville, NC area if anyone knows of a place nearby that can do a top-notch print job.
Thanks!!
Posted by Steve Foss on December 5, 2007 at 10:14 PM
Kyle, in these digital days, no need to limit yourself by location. There are more than a handful of top-quality print labs that accept electronically-transmitted digital files and ship top-notch prints and many other products like greeting cards and other press-printed products right to your door.
I generally use White House Custom Color in St. Paul, Minn., (www.WHCC.com), which offers free 2-day shipping anywhere in the continental U.S. There are many others, however, who do just as good a job, and it really doesn't matter where you live unless you feel you need to walk in the door and talk in-person with someone. The best print labs will work closely with you to ensure you understand their electronic requirements and they understand your needs.
As you start down that road, realize it's a learning process, and it's often best to give the same couple of print orders to two or three different labs to start with so you can tell which gives you the best combination of quality, price and service. Whichever one you choose (sometimes more than one because different labs may have different strengths and weaknesses), you'll be developing a long-term relationship with them.
No doubt others here will chime in with other print labs. It's a fairly common topic and one that is getting more and more attention.
Posted by Daniel Moore on December 6, 2007 at 12:41 AM
Kyle,
I moved to Waynesville, NC earlier this year and have often wondered the same thing. Since I have been here, I have only had one print done. I had it printed in a small camera store in downtown Sylva (about 45min-1hr drive for you). Although they did great work, that’s probably a little too far of a drive for you. I know that there is a Ritz Photo in the mall on tunnel road. I have never had something printed there, but they do prints up to 24x36 right in the store. Another place you may try is Sams Club...I know that sounds a little wired, but the Sams in Asheville does prints up to 20x30 in one hour. I do not know if I would call this a 'pro print shop', but they have great prices ($12.00 for 20x30). Not sure about what equipment they use, but they told me they print at 300dpi. If you go there, you can see sample of their prints...and I think that they look great. They can print on paper or foam board. I think there are some other places there in Asheville, but these are the only ones that I know of.
Posted by Jerry Greer on December 6, 2007 at 8:47 AM
Guys, you have one of the best printers in the US on Merrimon Ave. heading from Asheville to Weaverville. The owners name is John Smith, he is a really good friend of mine. John is a large-format, soon to be digital, fine art nature photographer so he does incredible work. He has one of the best digital printers made, a Chromira digital printer. His address is listed below and tell him Jerry sent you!
Photo Quik - John Smith
660 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
Phone: (828) 258-9321
Posted by David Bostedo on December 6, 2007 at 8:49 AM
Kyle - The file type depends on the lab. Some will accept several file types (usually TIFF and JPG) but some are just JPG. There are certain parameters they recommend for image size and ppi as well (they may also have border recommendations). A place like West Coast Imaging (which I can recommend) will offer several types of printing from traditional photo prints to inkjet prints on several printers and quite a few paper choices. They also have very good customer service.
A place like that will be more expensive than something like CostCo, but you'll have more options. If you are looking for standard photo prints, places like CostCo, or online services like WinkFlash or MPix are actually pretty good. For inkjet prints, or better service and higher quality gaurantee, you can try a "pro" shop. If you run a search here (for West Coast Imaging or WHCC) you can find several threads with questions about these places. And check out the websites - lots of info there.
Posted by Jerry Greer on December 6, 2007 at 8:51 AM
BTW, the best place to ask area specific question is in the Regional Forums like the SENP group.
Once you have identified a bureau to make your prints and have chosen a paper that fits your needs, ask for or download a copy of their profiles for the paper. You can then soft-proof your work in photoshop before sending them your image file for printing.
I can also attest to the quality of West Coast Imaging's products and service.
-PB
Posted by Dan Borzynski on December 6, 2007 at 11:48 AM
Kyle -
I've seen Jerry's recommended printer (Photo Quik - John Smith) recommended elsewhere, and not by Jerry. While I've never used him, I'd definitely wander over there to talk to him. Worse case, you can spend some time scouting back roads on the way there and back.
Just out of curiousity, what are you planning to do with the prints? If you are looking to have large quantities made up to do something like an art festival, you might find it more cost effective to invest in a higher end printer. There will be a small learning curve on selecting papers and just plain using the machine, or maybe a larger one depending on your knowledge.
On the other hand, for personal prints and/or and exhibition prints or even using some papers like a glossy or luster with will have a very low ink density and the resulting bronzing, finding a good printer company would be a better route. (Yes, I know the bronzing is being resolved, especially on the HP and Canons pigment ink printers, but I still haven't seen it completely eliminated. But printers are getting good!).
"Once you have identified a bureau to make your prints and have chosen a paper that fits your needs, ask for or download a copy of their profiles for the paper. You can then soft-proof your work in photoshop before sending them your image file for printing."
What does this mean guys?? I'm kinda new at the printing game, I didn't realize that a photo would have to be prepared to go to print. Can someone enlighten me?
Posted by Steve Foss on December 6, 2007 at 2:01 PM
Kyle, we post process our images in photoshop or another program before printing, cropping/sizing them as needed and to 300 or 240 dpi for printing, generally. Then we transmit those electronic files to our print labs. Each printer/paper has different print profiles that you should get from the print lab and install into photoshop. You can then "soft proof" the image on your screen using the View pulldown in photoshop to see how it will look printed (even a calibrated monitor won't necessarily show you how the image will actually look when printed, so the soft proofing is a good thing to do.)
You don't need to know it all before you contact various printing labs, however. They're very used to leading folks new to such things through the process. You'll certainly have a learning curve, but the learning is part of the fun.
Posted by David Bostedo on December 6, 2007 at 3:04 PM
Kyle - If you're just starting and not trying to sell anything or do a show (personal use prints for you and friends or family), then I'd start with something like CostCo, Winkflash, or MPix. If you are happy with what they offer (traditional prints - not ink jet), great - you've got your prints.
However, if you want higher quality, very accurate color matching, choices of papers and finishes, etc, then you'll likely want ink jet prints and want to step up to a more professional print lab. At that point, you'll probably want to read up on monitor profiling (although you should do this anyway!!!), soft proofing, printer profiles, etc. These are the techniques used to get better prints, with exactly the colors you'd expect from your calibrated monitor.
I can 2nd Jerry's recommendation. John has been doing all of my larger prints and I am very happy with his work. John is a photographer himself and an absolute perfectionist. By the way, I used to use West Coast Imaging before John and I prefer John's work.
Thanks Jerry and Richard!! I just got off the phone with them and I'm going to head over there tomorrow and talk to John personally. This is EXACTLY what I wanted. You guys rock!!
Thanks again!
Posted by Leann Greene on December 6, 2007 at 7:21 PM
Great question Kyle and I'm glad for the info it brought in answers from Jerry and Richard.
Discussion
14 repliesThanks!!
I generally use White House Custom Color in St. Paul, Minn., (www.WHCC.com), which offers free 2-day shipping anywhere in the continental U.S. There are many others, however, who do just as good a job, and it really doesn't matter where you live unless you feel you need to walk in the door and talk in-person with someone. The best print labs will work closely with you to ensure you understand their electronic requirements and they understand your needs.
As you start down that road, realize it's a learning process, and it's often best to give the same couple of print orders to two or three different labs to start with so you can tell which gives you the best combination of quality, price and service. Whichever one you choose (sometimes more than one because different labs may have different strengths and weaknesses), you'll be developing a long-term relationship with them.
No doubt others here will chime in with other print labs. It's a fairly common topic and one that is getting more and more attention.
I moved to Waynesville, NC earlier this year and have often wondered the same thing. Since I have been here, I have only had one print done. I had it printed in a small camera store in downtown Sylva (about 45min-1hr drive for you). Although they did great work, that’s probably a little too far of a drive for you. I know that there is a Ritz Photo in the mall on tunnel road. I have never had something printed there, but they do prints up to 24x36 right in the store. Another place you may try is Sams Club...I know that sounds a little wired, but the Sams in Asheville does prints up to 20x30 in one hour. I do not know if I would call this a 'pro print shop', but they have great prices ($12.00 for 20x30). Not sure about what equipment they use, but they told me they print at 300dpi. If you go there, you can see sample of their prints...and I think that they look great. They can print on paper or foam board. I think there are some other places there in Asheville, but these are the only ones that I know of.
Hope this helps,
Photo Quik - John Smith
660 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
Phone: (828) 258-9321
A place like that will be more expensive than something like CostCo, but you'll have more options. If you are looking for standard photo prints, places like CostCo, or online services like WinkFlash or MPix are actually pretty good. For inkjet prints, or better service and higher quality gaurantee, you can try a "pro" shop. If you run a search here (for West Coast Imaging or WHCC) you can find several threads with questions about these places. And check out the websites - lots of info there.
Once you have identified a bureau to make your prints and have chosen a paper that fits your needs, ask for or download a copy of their profiles for the paper. You can then soft-proof your work in photoshop before sending them your image file for printing.
I can also attest to the quality of West Coast Imaging's products and service.
-PB
I've seen Jerry's recommended printer (Photo Quik - John Smith) recommended elsewhere, and not by Jerry. While I've never used him, I'd definitely wander over there to talk to him. Worse case, you can spend some time scouting back roads on the way there and back.
Just out of curiousity, what are you planning to do with the prints? If you are looking to have large quantities made up to do something like an art festival, you might find it more cost effective to invest in a higher end printer. There will be a small learning curve on selecting papers and just plain using the machine, or maybe a larger one depending on your knowledge.
On the other hand, for personal prints and/or and exhibition prints or even using some papers like a glossy or luster with will have a very low ink density and the resulting bronzing, finding a good printer company would be a better route. (Yes, I know the bronzing is being resolved, especially on the HP and Canons pigment ink printers, but I still haven't seen it completely eliminated. But printers are getting good!).
What does this mean guys?? I'm kinda new at the printing game, I didn't realize that a photo would have to be prepared to go to print. Can someone enlighten me?
You don't need to know it all before you contact various printing labs, however. They're very used to leading folks new to such things through the process. You'll certainly have a learning curve, but the learning is part of the fun.
However, if you want higher quality, very accurate color matching, choices of papers and finishes, etc, then you'll likely want ink jet prints and want to step up to a more professional print lab. At that point, you'll probably want to read up on monitor profiling (although you should do this anyway!!!), soft proofing, printer profiles, etc. These are the techniques used to get better prints, with exactly the colors you'd expect from your calibrated monitor.
Thanks again!