Posted by Kurt Budde on September 11, 2009 at 4:23 PM
I've got an order for some prints much too big for my little 3800
Anyone use these guys? Their site seems very low on crucial details..
Do I sharpen? Do they?
Do I need to do all my interpolation and sizing?
Are there optimum sharpening methods for various printers they use?
(Excluding their 'master file' services, of course)
If not West Coast - who do you use?
Posted by Phil Pogledich on September 11, 2009 at 4:51 PM
I used them a while back. My recollection is that if you fish around on their website enough, you'll find answers to most or all of your questions. And as far as your questions, going on my memory of using them in the past, I think (a) you need to do the sharpening, as they will not, (b) it you want your file interpolated, you've got to do it, and (c) if there are any optimum sharpening methods, I'm not aware of them, but I think I just did a regular old USM on my files both before and after (a tiny bit) interpolation and I was happy with the results. I actually recall that they had a tutorial on their website on how to interpolate and sharpen files before sending them off . . . don't know if it is still there.
As far as print quality they are often said to be at the head of the pack. I can't really dispute that, but I don't have a huge basis for comparison either as I have typically just printed my own stuff. I've also used Aspen Creek, which I believe is just a sister company of West Coast Imaging. Their prices are a bit cheaper but the results were fine, though I found it annoying not to receive any sort of email confirming my order, etc.
Posted by David Bostedo on September 11, 2009 at 4:52 PM
I've used West Coast a couple of times Kurt, and thought their website had a lot of that information. In addition, their phone staff is very helpful, and I wouldn't hesitate to call.
Check out the FAQ pages on their site. Good info is available there - but make sure you click on the links peppered throughout the FAQ. There'l lots more info in there.
To answer your questions to the best of my ability :
1) Yes, I've used them. They're pretty popular. White House Custom Color, MPix, Aspen Creek (a subsidiary of WCI), MyPhotoPipe and some others are also popular.
2) You sharpen
3) Yes, then you have have to choose whether they use the size your file is at, or do some fitting/cropping for you.
4) I would think that that is way to resize and image dependent to answer. There is no one-size-fits-all sharpening method.
One last tip - if you're really concerned, look to doing some small sample prints of part of your image, at the same size they'll be in the final image. For instance, I wanted a 16x24, so I had a couple of 5x7 sections of it printed just to check color/finish/sharpening. In my case, the samples even came with a discount coupon for the full print that just about covered the cost of the samples.
I believe you can download the printer profile for the printer they will use to make your prints. You then set up PS to soft proof with their profile. You need to do all pre-flight work before you send the file to them.
I strongly suggest you have WCI do an 8x10 proof print of the entire image. It costs a few dollars, but may save you a disappointment and hassle in the long run.
I have used WCI for a long time. I highly recommend them. Yes, you have to dig around on their website for info. Most of it is there. However, if you get stumped, give them a call or an e-mail. They are very nice folks and will help you.
-P
Posted by Steve Foss on September 11, 2009 at 8:10 PM
I also didn't like the way I had to hunt through the WCI Web site for information. Sounds like a Web site reorganization is in order, considering the other, similar sentiments in this thread. Why make it harder on a client than you have to? A step-by-step WCI printing primer isn't that hard to develop and post. Folks do such things in here all the time.
Posted by Lon Overacker on September 11, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Kurt,
Just today I submitted my first order to WCI for 8, 20x24" prints through their "Print Lab." I think the information is there, you just need to take some time and read all the FAQs. But in a nutshell, you have two main choices. You can simply provide your raw file or transparency and order a "Custom file," which means they do all the processing, sharpening, etc. This of course is the more expensive option. The second option is to provide them a "printer ready" file. They pretty much rely on YOU to get all the sizing, "interpoloation," sharpening etc. The prices are excellent because it's basically a turn-key operation for them.
I've been providing my own processed "print ready" files for Calypso Inc of Santa Cruz for a number of years and it's the same deal. You have to provide a print ready file OR pay for them to process, size and sharpen the file for you. $$$$$.
I'm with Preston. Initially you might want to crop an 8x10 from your large file and have them print a proof. It's $6 for an 8x10.
Check out their Info page, there's lots of tips, including podcasts and videos on a number of print and PhotoShop topics.
As far as sharpening for print, I still use the basic unsharp mask, USM. Depending on the final output and image itself, I will set up the USM for 175%-225%, Radius .8 - 1.5 and threshold 0. Again, it varies with print and size of print. Also, I should note that I'm working from scanned 4x5 film images and not digital raw files.
Also, as Preston mentioned, simply give them a call. I believe they have a great and helpful staff.
Let us know how it turns out.
Lon
Posted by Steve Sieren on September 12, 2009 at 1:44 PM
I have used them before and their good quality isn't fast and they emphasize that. So make sure you're not near your deadline.
They are having a sale on exhibition prints right now 20% off. They prime up your tiff for you. Other than that yup you have to do the work. Get a proof!!!!!
Posted by Kurt Budde on September 12, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Excellent information, thanks everyone!
I'll definitely get a proof beforehand.
Glad I'm not the only one who had to dig around for info
Posted by Duane Burleson on September 12, 2009 at 4:23 PM
An advantage to using Calypso is that they print on a LightJet. LightJets have a hardware interpolator when images are sent to the printer. In my opinion, from prints I have had done, it does an excellent job. You can send them a file, in correct proportion, and the LightJet will interpolate it when making the print. Here is a pdf from Calypso http://www.calypsoinc.com/colorguide_1_03.pdf explaining their preferred prints, tips, info about interpolation (just past half way in the document).
Discussion
8 repliesAnyone use these guys? Their site seems very low on crucial details..
Do I sharpen? Do they?
Do I need to do all my interpolation and sizing?
Are there optimum sharpening methods for various printers they use?
(Excluding their 'master file' services, of course)
If not West Coast - who do you use?
As far as print quality they are often said to be at the head of the pack. I can't really dispute that, but I don't have a huge basis for comparison either as I have typically just printed my own stuff. I've also used Aspen Creek, which I believe is just a sister company of West Coast Imaging. Their prices are a bit cheaper but the results were fine, though I found it annoying not to receive any sort of email confirming my order, etc.
Check out the FAQ pages on their site. Good info is available there - but make sure you click on the links peppered throughout the FAQ. There'l lots more info in there.
To answer your questions to the best of my ability :
1) Yes, I've used them. They're pretty popular. White House Custom Color, MPix, Aspen Creek (a subsidiary of WCI), MyPhotoPipe and some others are also popular.
2) You sharpen
3) Yes, then you have have to choose whether they use the size your file is at, or do some fitting/cropping for you.
4) I would think that that is way to resize and image dependent to answer. There is no one-size-fits-all sharpening method.
One last tip - if you're really concerned, look to doing some small sample prints of part of your image, at the same size they'll be in the final image. For instance, I wanted a 16x24, so I had a couple of 5x7 sections of it printed just to check color/finish/sharpening. In my case, the samples even came with a discount coupon for the full print that just about covered the cost of the samples.
I strongly suggest you have WCI do an 8x10 proof print of the entire image. It costs a few dollars, but may save you a disappointment and hassle in the long run.
I have used WCI for a long time. I highly recommend them. Yes, you have to dig around on their website for info. Most of it is there. However, if you get stumped, give them a call or an e-mail. They are very nice folks and will help you.
-P
Just today I submitted my first order to WCI for 8, 20x24" prints through their "Print Lab." I think the information is there, you just need to take some time and read all the FAQs. But in a nutshell, you have two main choices. You can simply provide your raw file or transparency and order a "Custom file," which means they do all the processing, sharpening, etc. This of course is the more expensive option. The second option is to provide them a "printer ready" file. They pretty much rely on YOU to get all the sizing, "interpoloation," sharpening etc. The prices are excellent because it's basically a turn-key operation for them.
I've been providing my own processed "print ready" files for Calypso Inc of Santa Cruz for a number of years and it's the same deal. You have to provide a print ready file OR pay for them to process, size and sharpen the file for you. $$$$$.
I'm with Preston. Initially you might want to crop an 8x10 from your large file and have them print a proof. It's $6 for an 8x10.
Check out their Info page, there's lots of tips, including podcasts and videos on a number of print and PhotoShop topics.
As far as sharpening for print, I still use the basic unsharp mask, USM. Depending on the final output and image itself, I will set up the USM for 175%-225%, Radius .8 - 1.5 and threshold 0. Again, it varies with print and size of print. Also, I should note that I'm working from scanned 4x5 film images and not digital raw files.
Also, as Preston mentioned, simply give them a call. I believe they have a great and helpful staff.
Let us know how it turns out.
Lon
They are having a sale on exhibition prints right now 20% off. They prime up your tiff for you. Other than that yup you have to do the work. Get a proof!!!!!
I'll definitely get a proof beforehand.
Glad I'm not the only one who had to dig around for info
Cheers,
Duane