Online lab for odd print sizes?

[TSEE]

Can anyone recommend a online lab that prints odd photo sizes at good rates.
I managed to do a larger image composed by 5 regular sized images, the thought was to have a long skinny picture printed, well it now comes out as a 8x20 or 10x25 type size...but none of the online labs I've considered printing through can do that odd ball size.
Any ideas on where to go?

Thanks!

[Curtis N]

Expand the canvas to a standard size like maybe 20 x 30. Center your image in it so you have big white borders.

Order the 20 x 30, then crop the white borders off the print.

[milleker]

Same as Curtis said - you've gotta be slick. Someone online will print those weird sizes for you at a premium. Just like normal photo labs. Do you make your own sheet of wallets on a 5x7 or let the lab do them for double the cost? :)

You're paying for the whole 20x30 print anyway, get a few of your images on there - don't let that white paper go to waste! ;)

[TSEE]

DUH, I guess you guys have a point. milleker your idea seems pretty good, I'd hate to waste the white paper - so those prints I couldn't make my mind up on...I'll just slap those on the side of the painting and get them all...why can't I think of that myself.

And no for the record I don't let the lab print my wallets, I do 2 on a 4x6 sheet for half the cost...cheaper than slapping them on a 5x7, just 1.5 cents per wallet tho...still profit. ;o)

Thanks guys!

[UncleDoug]

Poke around a bit.
Look at/for print houses that produce Giclée art reproductions.
Since art does not follow any sizing standards these printers will end up with "extra real estate" on the canvas when printing and would be more than happy to gang your odd size print with other prints to conserve canvas.
That is what we do.

If you want the print to look GOOD, print it to the custom size.

[rivan]

Poke around a bit.
Look at/for print houses that produce Giclée art reproductions.
Since art does not follow any sizing standards these printers will end up with "extra real estate" on the canvas when printing and would be more than happy to gang your odd size print with other prints to conserve canvas.
That is what we do.

If you want the print to look GOOD, print it to the custom size.

Uhm... what? The first two posters mentioned ganging multiples of her image, or just printing it, at 100%, on a larger sheet. I fail to see how printing her image at full size on a 20x30 sheet (or whatever) will produce results any different from a custom sized sheet at the same size.

As for your mention of "Giclée art reproductions," I couldn't in good conscience ever tell anyone wanting their art to last to get it done on an inkjet - or a Giclée printer, if you drink that kool-aid. I don't really care how many times Epson and HP put out papers saying their inks hold up for 75 years - I know from experience otherwise.

Edit: Having looked at your sig, I'll throw you the bone of mentioning that of all the printers I've used over the years, the Roland FJ series and it's UV inks (while having a far-from-superb gamut) hold up better than any other, especially when printed on a poly and laminated with a good UV laminate. I've got an ~8 year old print prepared this way that looks as good as the day I printed it (then again, it's also behind UV glass - call me paranoid). Even with that, I'd have had it done on a lightjet if I could have afforded it over the freebie made while profiling the poly.

[milleker]

Depends, what flavor?

if you drink that kool-aid.

[rivan]

Depends, what flavor?

Anything but black cherry. I despise black cherry. <wink>

[UncleDoug]

rivan,

I drink kool-aid every day for a living(Giclée reproductions and all).

Was just throwing out another option, since none of the on-line labs Sue looked at could help her.
A smaller, more custom shop, just may be able to do her justice for a fair price.
Also, getting the image printed just the way you want, no compromises, does make a difference when it comes to displaying options, be it an ink jet or light jet .

[rivan]

UncleDoug,

I too, for a long time, made my daily living selling the Giclée kool-aid - I just never drank it.

I guess I just have a general disdain when a product is renamed just for the sake of marketing - pick an obscure paper to put in your inkjet and suddenly it's Giclée! It must be art - it's got a french name! Couple that with FUD statements like "If you want the print to look GOOD" and I just can't avoid comment.

That said, I'll always pick the little guy over the chain. In my experience you'll almost always get better service, attention to detail and a product that's at least as good, usually better. My commentary is only about the process, not the provider.