Printing labs for professional orders

[thrumyeye]

I've searched POTN for references to the often-asked question of "Where do you print?" I haven't seen what I'm looking for though.

I'm not looking to print at winkflash, snapfish, Target, Costco, etc. These places all do great/fine work, but I'm looking for a lab that will print my photos with my copyright on the back - not theirs.

As a professional, I sell my prints at a markup of what I'm charged. If they flip the print over and see "winkflash.com" they jump on the web and their jaw drops as they see my overhead charge. Not what I'm looking for.

I currently use fullcolor.com and am rather satisfied with them. The charge for shipping is $1.50 no matter the weight. The minimum order is $10 depending on which printing service you choose. Their prices are a little on the high side, but still reasonable. And the turnaround time is unbelievable - 2-3 days to print and 2-3 days of shipping.

But, because I've never found an alternative, I'm wondering what else is available? I've seen TONS of recommendations to use mpix. However, I can find no reference on their website, stating they put your copyright on the back, not theirs.

Any suggestions or experience with other labs out there?

Thanks!!

[goforphoto]

photo relflex, you can choose from many labs using their software I use all american photo the most. they drop ship with your information on the shipping invoice, and the only thing on the back of the photo is the name of the paper.

[goforphoto]

If you want to hace copyright just do a logo and watermark it in the lower corner of the image but you nee to have it in the same location everytime.

[ssim]

I'm glad to see you seeking out the use of a professional level lab. I am somewhat perplexed in that you want to do this only to justify the prices that you are charging. If the name of the lab on the back of the image is bothering you, have you asked if it is an option to not have it printed on there.

A great resource for finding professional service offerings to the professional or semi-professional that I have found is Rangefinder Magazine (http://www.rangefindermag.com/index2.tml). They are not your typical photo magazine and the pages towards the end are filled with adds that sell services or merchandise to the imaging professional. There are a number of adds for labs. If you can't find one locally, you can subscribe to this magazine as it is free right now. The do have a classified section on their online version of the magazine and you might try there to see if there is something that meets with your requirements.

I have found that a number of the low end printers, the Costco's, the Walmart's, etc. of the world can give good results. My issue they have never been able to do it consistently even when I have used profiles that they have supplied. I went through a number of pro level labs until I decide on the two that I use consistently in Canada.

[PhotosGuy]

My issue they have never been able to do it consistently even when I have used profiles that they have supplied. Over two years, I've never seen that problem with my Costco & I'd never mention them in the same breath with Wallmart, which has delivered very different results on the same print in a 1 hour time frame. but I'm looking for a lab that will print my photos with my copyright on the back - not theirs. Order online from Costco & there are 4 options for printing on the back under "Edit Options" just before you place the order. You can include your own own (C) text, & nowhere does it say "Costco" there.

[Lregracie]

I've used WHCC.com for a several years....shipping is included in what I think is very reasonable pricing. Turn around is usually 3-4 days, and they print my copyright on the back, and nothing else. They offer far more services than I'll ever use. Are there better labs out there? No clue..I stopped looking when I found this one. = )

Lynn

[JaertX]

mpix doesn't do backprinting.

their sister lab, Miller's, does back printing and has quite a bit more services geared towards professionals. Prices are much higher, but the service and print quality is top notch. I've been very happy with Miller's. Have heard very good things about WHCC too.

I also use smugmug for hosting (but will cancel that this year) and they do backprinting as well. Not quite the "wow" factor on prints that I get from Miller's, but your mileage may vary. They do backprinting as well.