 Justina . Groening |
Printing pictures I'm working on setting up a portrait studio in my home I would like some ideas on how to print my pictures .Would I be better off investing in a printer an doing it myself or should I just bring them to a lab? What do other studio's do?
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Michael H. Cothran |
In all candor, it would be easier for you to ask other studios what they do, rather than asking this forum. Personally, since you sound like a novice at this, I'd invest in some good editing software, and let a quality lab print for me. Later, when the hords of customers have beaten a well-defined path to my business door, and I have done a good job of mastering color management, I would then consider investing in a couple of different size pro printers. However, if business is really brisk, you may not have time to do your own printing. Michael H. Cothran www.mhcphoto.net
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Diane Dupuis |
Michael - there are many photographers here at BP who do sell their work and who could answer Justina's question. Justina - until your revenue justifies it - I would do what Michael suggests and work on improving your editing skills and then let the pros do the printing. There are many on-line labs that do great work. Shutterfly is one of them. Just google it or search the Q&A here at BP for on-line printers. It's very convenient, you do your ordering from your desk and they get delivered to your door.
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Justina . Groening |
Thank you Michael and Diane I will try what you suggested
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Anonymous |
I have had nothing but the best from ProLabExpress. Not sure how their prices compare to other labs. They will color adjust for you, or you can do it on your own for a lesser price. Their is no monthly fee to join, no minimum dollar amount which is great for smaller/newer labs, and you can upload your files directly to their site. I would highly recommend them to anyone!
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Michelle Ross |
I can't say enough good things about MPix for my printing needs. I know alot of photographers choose to print their own, but for me it's just a peace of mind knowing I can upload and be done with it .. . They ship lightening fast and I have never had an order take more than 2-3 days to get to me. Their prices are awesome. They do have a $4.95 Priority Mail Shipping Charge but it's worth every penny. . . I just try to combine at least 2 orders if the order I'm placing isn't real large. But you can also just factor in that with your print prices.
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Laura E. OConnor |
I want to get in on this thread because I'm facing the same dilemma. I'd rather have peace of mind having the lab print them than fool with getting them perfect on my home printer and always having to re-supply my ink and paper. It's great to read the different suggestions! I'll have to check out those sites for my printing! THANKS!
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Justina . Groening |
Thank you so much. I checked ProLab Express and MPix. They both sound great. I'm eager to try both and see how they compare to the lab I currently use. They prices certenly sound alot better. THANKS AGAIN!
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Anonymous |
Just as an FYI...I checked out Mpix before I tried ProLabExpress and thought the printing quality was far less. Their BW images seemed very 'gray', and I wasn't impressed with the sample images I received. If I remember right, Mpix has a sample pack they send to you free of charge, but you do have to purchase the prints through ProLab. When I sampled, I sent an image for them to color correct in both color and BW, and I also corrected it from my end as far as what I thought looked good and sent it to be printed without color correction. Both images came back almost looking the same, which meant I could correct it on my end and pay less, or have them correct it if my exposure was a bit off and feel confident I would still get a great print. Also, ProLab has free shipping if your order is $15 or more. Turn around time is 24-48 hours. And I absolutely love the 5x5 proof books! I design each page separately, with quotes, etc. and they make a really great brag book....easy to carry in your purse to pull out and show people! I would highly recommend ProLab!! Just thought I'd put my 2 cents in, but you can make the decision yourself. Let us know which way you go!
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Anonymous |
Perhaps you could put it in your murse?
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Michelle Ross |
Can you send me more info regarding ProLab?? You can email me if you like!
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Christopher A. Vedros |
Again, that wasn't me. The name-changer is having some fun at my expense. the REAL Chris Vedros
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Alisha L. Ekstrom |
Hmm..Sarah could you please send me the website for prolab? I'm interested to see the difference. Having no shipping costs sounds great. I REALLY like mpix.com & very happy with the quality of their work, but I'm interested to check out what you've said...Thanks
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Anonymous |
The Website for ProLab is www. prolabexpress.com. You don't need to be a member to see the services they offer. Just click on services at the top and there is tons of info.
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Collette Photography |
ok, this may be a stuppid question but what type of paper do the labs that have been mentioned print on, I am looking fo some place that will print on portrait quality paper (you know the matt/textured kind, that seniors pictures are always printed on) does that make any sense? SO I was just curious if any of the labs print on that paper? thanks, -Collette-
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Alisha L. Ekstrom |
I haven't check out prolabs yet, but I know Mpix has the E-surface matte paper & also I like that on the back of the paper it says "KODAK PROFESSIONAL...PROFESSIONAL IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED...DO NOT COPY"...I know people try to copy images & I like that it says that so they can't copy it. Anyhow hope that answers your question.
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Anonymous |
ProLab prints on Fujifilm professional paper. I'm not sure if it's the same thing your talking about, but when you have your images printed you have the choice of having them on Lustre or glossy paper. I always have mine done on the lustre paper. I looked at one of my wallets and there does appear to be a texture to the paper, if you look closely. ProLab also has the copyright thing imprinted in the paper on the back and they also print your studio name and Copyright 2005 on the back along with the file name.
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Collette Photography |
Thanks, yeah thats what I needed to know, I just wanted to make sure that they werent printed on that flat gloosy paper, like the stuff you get out of the Kodak picture makers in like walmart. Thanks a bunch I will have to send in some of my prints to get printed there, and see if I like them!! -Collette-
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Justina . Groening |
Thank you again to everyone for your suggestions. I will let you know how my prints turn out as soon as I get some printed.
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BetterPhoto Member |
Just to throw my 2 cents in. I LOVE PROLABEXPRESS! anyone having any doubt, try them! I used a professional lab in Iowa (I'm in Illinois) and they had good service and fair pricing. Pretty quick turnaround. Then I had a few instances where they just "forgot" to print my order, so I went looking for a new lab. I stumbled upon ProLabExpress and couldn't be happier. I send in an order at least 4 times a week and so the free shipping has increased my profits and they ship everything UPS as well, which I trust unlike the USPS. Just a note: I do have to pay shipping on anything larger than a 11x14, but I just group those pics together and send them all in once a week. The shipping is only $4.69 then, which is still cheaper than my other labs regular shipping charge. Every order I have ever sent in has been on my doorstep 2 days later. I just can't say enough about these guys! Give em a shot! They really are a great quality lab! Amber
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Justina . Groening |
I got my pictures back from Prolab and I love them.
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