bkknight369

I have some nice pics I'd like to print and frame, but I dont know where to do it...I been considering Costco, Snapfish, and Flickr.

Any one has any strong preferences?

LuvMyTSX

I just got 2 8x10 prints from snapfish that turned out nicely.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

I just started using mpix.com and was impressed with the quality.

waTSX

I've been having pretty good luck with Ritz Camera. I do get quite a few 8x10's done and they've turned out well. Whatever issues they've had have been on my end, as far as not prepping the files properly.

They're also known as Cameras West (there's one in Bellevue) and Kit's Camera's. You can upload the files online then pick up the prints later.

YoungCeo

Bump for this thread...anyone have any more thoughts? What about prints from Adorama?

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

what kind of prep is necessary to get your digital images to print with proper color?

Dan Martin

That's a huge question that's not easily answered because there are so many variables at play. When you don't have the printer under your direct control, your ability to color match is limited, but there are a couple things you can do to eliminate a few of the variables.

First of all, you want to make sure your photos are in the sRGB color space. Chances are you're already using the sRGB profile unless you consciously changed it along the way, either by changing a setting in your camera menu or by adjusting a setting in your RAW converter. If you use photoshop, you can go to Edit -> "Convert to profile..." and see what profile you're in right now. If you're in something like AdobeRGB or ProPhotoRGB, you want to convert to sRGB.

The shops all have their own profiles that they use for their printers, but it's safe to assume they're expecting an sRGB file from you. They'll convert it on their end from sRGB into whatever profile they need.

The second thing you can do is calibrate your monitor. The only real way to do this is with a calibrator, but there are a few websites out there that will walk you through a very rough process of tweaking the settings on your screen using your eyeballs as the calibration tool. Some monitors may not have a lot of control for you to manipulate the image settings, so you might not get too far with an eyeball method. A calibrator isn't all that expensive these days, so it's something you should consider. You should be able to pick up a basic Pantone Huey or Spyder 3 in the $100 to $200 range.

Dan Martin

I've heard mixed opinions on Adorama prints. I almost always hear positive things about Mpix (http://www.mpix.com)or White House Custom Color (http://www.whcc.com/).

I used Flickr last year to print some calendars and the quality was dreadful. I would avoid them at all costs. We printed 14 calendars to hand out as gifts and I was embarrassed to give them to anyone. We're printing our own this year.

Street Spirit

Snapfish, Flickr, Costco....Can I vote for 'neither' - along with any other chain? I haven't heard of Adorama. If you really want a beautiful looking print that you intend to frame, find a pro lab in your area and have it done there. Papers, ink, printers, etc. all make a huge difference in how your print looks. So spend a few extra dollars and get a quality print, especially if you're going larger and plan on framing it.

My friend and I used to take our film to be processed and printed at a reasonably-priced camera store chain, and even those turned out 100x better than Costco, Walmart, Walgreens, etc...everything looked SO dull and came back on cheap, flimsy paper from those places. And for what it's worth, Dan and I ordered calendars from an online source and they came back looking awful!! We were so embarrassed and upset with the quality. It's just easier and less risk to get them printed somewhere you'll trust.

Billiam

On the framing front, I've done three orders with http://www.framedestination.com/ and been impressed with the products every time. They're stuff isn't cheap by any means but it's still a good chunk cheaper than having something professionally framed by someone else.

jupitersolo

Hows about custom prints say 4x10 or 4x12. When I've tried to get them done online, I select 8x10 or 8x12. Then their software blows up the image to completely fill the size.

Dan Martin

^ that totally depends on the lab. I think the default for most places is to produce a full-bleed sheet, but usually they'll give you the option of printing with a border which will respect the aspect ratio of your original file.

I should just set up a web service for AZ peeps to print direct to the 4880 in my basement.

jupitersolo

I could send you the images, if you're willing to do so. ???????$$$$$???????

srika

I've tried Snapfish and Adorama. Was not too pleased with Snapfish, was very pleased with Adorama. Last week I had two 16x24 Chicago shots done, really good output.

For 4x6's I sent 1920x1080 resolution, sharpened one extra step. Looks appropriately sharp printed. The first time I sent a job I didn't sharpen, and the prints looked soft and I didn't like em.

Billiam

In the case of Mpix, you size your print appropriately, order the print on the next size up, and then put text that says "please trim this" or "please trim white space" and they'll do it for you. The only catch is that their printers seem to have a tolerance of about 1/8" for the printed image size.

jupitersolo

Thanks, that good to know. Mpix is who I've been using, but their interface, I don't like. Not even the "new and improved"

new2acura

I have used Mpix, Adorama, and Snapfish. I would say that I liked my prints from Mpix best, followed by Adorama and then Snapfish. Both Mpix and Adorama give you quite a few options on paper.

wndrlst

TommySalami

I'd be willing to pay you for some prints also, once I get some worthy pictures, of course

Billiam

I have a confession:

I've never seen a print done on a modern "fine art" quality ink jet printer and paper. The only prints I've seen are the contones I've had done on Fuji, Noritsu, and Kodak equipment, as well as dye prints from cheapo "for Mom to use" inkjets. Whenever I've been tempted to take the plunge into doing my own printing, I think half the reason is that I just want to know what I'm missing.

stogie1020

Uploading a 54MB Tiff (how the heck did it get that big?) file to Ritz for printing at 8x10. We will see how this goes, as I do not have a color corrected monitor...

stogie1020

OK, had to go 8x12 to not lose any of the image. I need to learn how to resize...

Dan Martin

54MB for an 8x12 should be enough.

stogie1020

wndrlst

Let us know. I've had mixed experiences at Ritz. My most recent being terrible, but I have the impression it's a very badly managed location.

stogie1020

Well, the printing accentuated a slightly off centered-ness to the pic which I have since fixed with cropping (the dock at the lake shot I posted in personal fav thread).

Also, I ordered matte and they printed glossy, fixed it, and let me keep both 8x12s.

Truthfully, though, the image has a 'slight' magenta/purple tone in the clouds on my monitor, and the print really accentuated it, beyond what I was hoping for.

The 19 year old girl working the counter said someone else today complained about color being slightly off on their print, too. Then she looked at me as though it was the weather, and there was nothing she could do about it.

wndrlst

Yeah, that's a really watered down version of my experience with them, but the attitude and some of the details are the same. I'm not planning to throw them any more business.

I wouldn't have used them last time, but the girl I was printing for didn't give me her order until Friday night and was leaving the country Monday morning.

Still, I thought a full weekend would have been enough time to get 8 enlargements from a lab that claims they can give them to you in an hour. Nope. I lost a sale and a decent chunk of change. If they'd been honest from the outset, I'd have gone to another lab. Fuckers. Happily, the client is a friend, and she knew she got the order to me too late to use my regular online lab (mpix).

pebe

My wife bought me an 8x10 portfolio with some of my pics in it for x-mas, all in black & white. She ordered them from Snapfish and they look really good. they printed on Kodak professional paper. I think she paid $2.99/print?

LKLD

Anyone here use http://www.photolaboratory.com/ before?

ViperrepiV

Anyone know how much of a difference is there between the regular print option and the 19 cent "uncorrected" prints on Mpix? If i just want a bunch of 4x3s done, which option is better? Also, does the lustre coating turn the matt e-surface paper into glossy?

The reason i am asking is that I recently ordered some prints from my photo website, imageevent, and they turned out really crappy. Very dark, a little drab. Anyways, I am not accustomed to the whole printing side. Thanks!

Billiam

Seems like it says it right on the page.

http://www.mpix.com/19centPrints.aspx

In other words, the color is completely up to you. Never tried the lustre coating so I can't comment on that one.

ViperrepiV

Yeah, I saw that. I was just wondering if anyone had any personal experience between the two options.