Finding a Lab

I would like to start printing some of my photographs but I need to find a lab that will do the work. There are no labs in my local area that print photos so I am forced to look elsewhere. Any advice is appreciated.

We've been using H & H Color Lab for the last 8 years. They have a broad array of services and products, and their quality added substantially to our own rep. The neat thing about them, when you set up an account they assign an "associate" to you, your personal contact within the very large company. You can call you associate any time for advice, but there's a more important function. If upon receiving your order they see problems, your associate will call you to discuss it and help resolve the issue. That can save immensely on turnaround time when a client is waiting, plus help you through the hoops any time you decide to try a new product or service. If you're within travel range, the lab also puts on periodic seminars. Never made it to one, but they look topnotch.

I use mostly http://www.adoramapix.com/app/home but have also used http://www.mpix.com/. It depends on the size of the order (i.e., number of prints) and the size(s) of the prints. I'm very pleased with them both, including the turnaround time. Having said that, I've just been preparing three prints for a show and, when it comes to pricing such products, have realized that I absolutely must come to grips with mastering my Epson 1400 so that I can print my own, at least up to the 13 x 19 size it takes. The reason is the shipping costs charged by the online retailers just mentioned; they're worth it if you're putting in a large order, or if you want to put in a large order "on spec," i.e., in hopes that you can sell the extras, but for prints 8 x 10 and above if you order only one, the shipping cost can double the cost of your print. This affects the markup of what you can sell them for.

The reason is the shipping costs charged by the online retailers....

I forgot to add that H&H ships free (FedEx) to your primary address, and only charges a small fee when you drop-ship to a client. Excellent packaging, and on the rare occasion when something has been damaged in shipping, a phone call results in a quick free replacement. Hard to beat, by any measure.

Surprisingly, I find the commercial lab of Mpix to be a fine source of prints. Purists will scoff, but the quality of the prints is great and the price is right. I've never had a complaint from buyers, and that's what counts for me.
You can download an ICC profile and instructions from them here to assist you in soft proofing your image files. Getting a 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 test print or two done before you place a large order to see if your prints will be close to what you see on your monitor would be wise.

I really like Costco. They have Fuji printers and you can get great service once you establish a relationship with the folks who work there. I've had some incredible 20 X 30 prints done there for under $10.

Then again I'm not a photographer; I'm just a hobbiest.

Cristina,
I use Bay Photo ( www.bayphoto.com ). Any prints size, any finish, any ink style with photo paper, poster board, metal prints or canvas, calendars and books, color correction and brightness options or just what you sent printing; to name a few. It was easy to set-up my account at no-charge and with an on-file credit card, payment per order is automatic, I upload my files on their excellent program (on-line Lab) and two days later my prints are at my door for a $1.50 Fed-Ex charge on any size order or they drop ship to your customer with you name on the label. If you do need help or have questions, they have an outstanding customer support.
Mike

Christina, I see you're located in Texas, have you tried Holland Photo Imaging? I used them for quite a few years in the early days when Cibachrome / Ilfachrome prints were the best prints available back then. They always did an excellent job with those prints. They are located in Austin.....
Holland Photo
Over the past several years Aspen Creek in Northern California has done super work for many of us here at NPN with all types of sizes and type prints.
Aspen Creek Photo

Here is a place that I learned about from Dewitt Jones, yes that Dewitt Jones of famed National Geographic status. Don't judge them by the their name or simple looking website. I can tell you from much experience, the do great work and the prices are next to unbeatable. I figured if it was good enough for Dewitt it is probably good enough for me.

Perfect Posters

Aspen Creek is the little sister to [url=http://www.westcoastimaging.com/]West Coast Imaging[/i]. West Coast Imaging makes superb prints. They also have mounting and matting services, if you have a need.

I have used them several times for large prints on Fuji Crystal Archive paper, and they are wonderful. Customer service is excellent.

--P