Are all consumer labs equal?

[dennykyser]

I was wondering if all 1 hour photo labs are equal when processing digital images. I cant seem to get good prints from my local 1 hour shop (grocery store) I would think since we do the processing and all they have to do is print it would be the same? I have ordered some prints from mpix same size from same files so will let you know what I find out.

I know this could be posted in post processing but wanted to find out from all my friends in the EOS Digital forum.. :D

[justme_dc]

In a word no. Here are the Semi-foolproof steps to flawless digital machine prints at bargain prices.

1.) Get yourself a Costco Wholesale (http://www.costco.com/) membership.
2.) Get a custom .icc profile for you local costco printer free fromhere (http://www.drycreekphoto.com/)
3.) Edit you photos and apply the .icc profile stir until the images are to your desired thickness then burn them to a CD or copy them to a memory card.
4.) Take them to the photo dept at costco put them into their digital print computer.
5.) In the special notes section of the order envelope write "print as is. No auto correction. No custom correction." say this out loud to the clerk and make them use a highlighter on the text you wrote. This is an important step! Do Not Skip It!
6.) Come back the next day and enjoy perfect prints that are corrected EXACTLY as you want them.
7.) Repeat as nessasary for print needs.

[ssim]

I had really struggled with trying to find a lab that could produce decent prints off of my digital images. I tried a pro lab and they failed miserably the resutls were absolutely horrid. Next I tried a semi-pro lab and they couldn't produce consistent results and they were consistently late on when they said that would deliver. This one was too bad because they were real close.

So I went the one hour group and tried a few until I tried my local Walmart. The results are very consistent and very good. I take them to no one else for anything up to 8X10. Having said that I have tried a couple of different Walmarts and the results do vary from stor to store. I found a mail order place for anything larger than that and they give exceptional results.

[dennykyser]

MPIX did a great job, I had just went to walmart in Jamestown and they did a better job than my local lab, then on the way home had my MPIX in the mail and WOW. I will use them alot, but walmar at .27 for a 4x6 and 3.00 for an 8X10 is not bad

[slejhamer]

on the way home had my MPIX in the mail and WOW.


Denny, just curious, what did you like about MPIX? I'm going to try them too, very soon. How different is the paper that they use? And which paper did you order - the E-surface or the metallic? Did colors seem accurate? (Supposedly they will color correct.) Thanks.

[dennykyser]

I used the e-paper. I think the printing was right on, the flesh tones on my portraits were better than I could print or any lab around here plus ordered on Monday or Tuesday and got today (Thursday)

Has anyone used the metalic paper??

[PhotosGuy]

I tried Walgreens 'cause they recently had a new printer installed. They said it is calibrated every few weeks. Used a test print with B&W step wedges & some skin samples. The first was about 20B. A week later it was about 20M. Still, it took only about 10 minutes & $.29, & if you hit them on the right day...

;-) :wink:

[pcguy113]

Just FYI, MPIX is the consumer side of Millers. I have heard results are identical to pro side of the house. :D