Printing Labs, Album Company.. and whoever.

[johnlo]

To all you Wedding photographers, who do you use for printing? Albums? and/or Digital Albums?

I am trying to get myself back into the wedding photography business... and like to use the best quality for the clients...and of course good price for me and them...

so far, i like Leather Craftsmen for the Fine Art Book.... Asuka for Custom Bound Album.. and maybe use Kolo Hudson as Proofs Album.

let me know wat you use.. thanks...

john

[PIXI_666]

www.momento.com.au
www.jorgensen.com.au

they are the 2 i use - there are a few discussions on this too :)

Del

[cmM]

print: WHCC
bind: Leather Craftsmen

[Jwreich]

Print: mpix
Albums: Art Leather, Leather Craftsman, Graphi, VisionArt

I don't care for WHCC as a lab. If they convert to BW then the print is very muddy and not sharp and clear. Color images are flat. MPix Rocks everywhere but their outdated order system.

For albums, I don't really care for ZookBinder as their cost/quality isn't on the same field as LC 3500 or the Art Leather MAB. Finaially Graphi is my best seller with all the options.

[cmM]

I don't care for WHCC as a lab. If they convert to BW then the print is very muddy and not sharp and clear. Color images are flat. MPix Rocks everywhere but their outdated order system.


The thing with WHCC is that their system is very automated, for most their products there is very little interation, your images won't get touched, so you need to prepare the files for output (and maybe calibrate your monitor). I've used both Mpix and WHCC (and others) . WHCC is very well regarded among a great chunk of pros (so is Millers). MPIX color corrects your orders by default. I like to do the color correction myself, that's why WHCC is my lab of choice. I always check the "do not color correct my order" checkbox.

[kharr]

I use and very much like MPIX. Just make sure to check the Do Not Color Correct option. Very fast service.

Only thing I don't like about them is if you mix matte and metalic paper, they treat it as separate orders and you pay doulble the shipping.

[PIXI_666]

Labs & Printing - Plaza Camera's in Perth

[jj1987]

WHCC
Millers (or mpix if you dont do enough buisness)
Lakeside camera
Showprints.com (Flair Pro Color Lab)

[johnlo]

Thank you everyone. Seem like everyone use just about the same companies. if its not "a" its "b".......

I used to use TopFlightLab when I was still doing Pre-School photography. They did also did some work for me on my wedding gig. I like them alot... pretty fast with there turnaround time. But since I closed that line of business, i also closed the account... so i thought let me shop around and see who's better... and better price too.

so do you guys actually mail in the photos to get the album mounted or do you have the Lab do that for you? just curious as to how everyone does it.

[redspyder]

I like Bay Photo Lab. Their ROES setup is great to work in, they have many kinds of matting and mounting, they do album layout and binding, color correction, they have an FTP that alows you to send it to them for color correction then back to you for PP. They are very fast, and competitive in their pricing.
www.bayphoto.com

[jj1987]

Thank you everyone. Seem like everyone use just about the same companies. if its not "a" its "b".......

I used to use TopFlightLab when I was still doing Pre-School photography. They did also did some work for me on my wedding gig. I like them alot... pretty fast with there turnaround time. But since I closed that line of business, i also closed the account... so i thought let me shop around and see who's better... and better price too.

so do you guys actually mail in the photos to get the album mounted or do you have the Lab do that for you? just curious as to how everyone does it.
www.showprints.com has a service called studiomaster pro. You just download their templates for paper sizes, and then you download your album's templates. That way when you get it printed, the images are all on a 10x10 (or whatever you choose) sheet of paper, and slide right into the wedding album, no taping, no tearing, no wrinkling, no sagging.

[jbstudios]

i really have good luck with whcc. i always seem to be doing something wrong and they always call and check up on me. they have great customer service for being so automated. I do agree about the b&w prints but since i dont do a great deal with that its not a big deal. I had a great one printed from them though that my husband really tweaked and it was just rocking! so if you go to enhance remove color i do think they will be flat & muddy but if not i have had great luck! also tried out teya shortcuts on them and they printed really nice.

hey did you guys calibrate your monitors and if so what did you use/buy?

thanks~mrs jb

[Jwreich]

The thing with WHCC is that their system is very automated, for most their products there is very little interation, your images won't get touched, so you need to prepare the files for output (and maybe calibrate your monitor). I've used both Mpix and WHCC (and others) . WHCC is very well regarded among a great chunk of pros (so is Millers). MPIX color corrects your orders by default. I like to do the color correction myself, that's why WHCC is my lab of choice. I always check the "do not color correct my order" checkbox.

cmM,

All color is studio managed for me. I do use the Lab BW conversion as it is just easier when I've already processed an image in color. Everyone has their likes. A number of my friends all rave about WHCC. I just don't see it. I embraced their move to Kodak paper, but they are still second best for me. I've tried their Press Printed products too and they pale compared to other options.

They get the vote for convenience, I like ROES, however the crops were off on the first two orders placed by 1/4". That is unacceptable. So far this year I've done 5K in print orders with MPix and all but one order was perfect.

Considering MPIX has the backing of Millers, it get my vote. You can't beat the flat rate FedEx shipping. When you compare pricing between WHCC and Mpix for large orders, you can get it faster and cheaper from MPix then WHCC with free shipping. Another vote for Mpix.

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[johnlo]

I like Using ROES. when I was using TopFlightLab w/ preschool. it make my ordering so much easier. especially when each image are done by package.

[jj1987]

cmM,

All color is studio managed for me. I do use the Lab BW conversion as it is just easier when I've already processed an image in color. Everyone has their likes. A number of my friends all rave about WHCC. I just don't see it. I embraced their move to Kodak paper, but they are still second best for me. I've tried their Press Printed products too and they pale compared to other options.

They get the vote for convenience, I like ROES, however the crops were off on the first two orders placed by 1/4". That is unacceptable. So far this year I've done 5K in print orders with MPix and all but one order was perfect.

Considering MPIX has the backing of Millers, it get my vote. You can't beat the flat rate FedEx shipping. When you compare pricing between WHCC and Mpix for large orders, you can get it faster and cheaper from MPix then WHCC with free shipping. Another vote for Mpix.

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Why not just go to Millers? That's what I've always done. They have a rather steep requirement for doing buisness, but the quality is unbeatable.

[Jwreich]

I was going to call Millers just to see what the requirement was. What do they offer for an online ordering system? ROES maybe? The Mpix process is very time consuming. Today we spent 4 hours placing our order from last week. PITA but I'll deal with it because Mpix (Millers) is superior to WHCC... IMHO

[jbstudios]

Doesnt mpix drive you crazy when you order? when i have to order trading cards for sports i go nuts just cuz it takes forever. i know i am doing something putsy but the whole thing just takes so much longer.

mrs jb

[newgenphoto]

Local Lab - Fotech Color Imaging - www.fotech.com
Albums - Laguna Albums - www.lagunaalbums.com

[Jwreich]

Doesnt mpix drive you crazy when you order? when i have to order trading cards for sports i go nuts just cuz it takes forever. i know i am doing something putsy but the whole thing just takes so much longer.

mrs jb

Yea their online ordering WAS the best, but is getting old. I have been looking at Bay Photo. http://www.bayphoto.com/bayweb/pro_home.htm

The print Kodak papers, flat rate shipping, 24hr turn around and offer ROES. The prices are good and the product set is amazing. I've signed up for an account and I'll be sending some basic orders early next week to give them a try...

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