Best UK online printer?

[I Simonius]

So, what is the best UK online printing service?

I have just bought 10 *12 x 8* prints from My own Smugmug site and it has cost a fortune!
I just Compared that to Photobox at approx one tenth , yes one tenth of the price.

However I know Smugmug guarantee their quality and and it's on Fuji paper and it is lustre finish ( very important options AFAIC!)

Im not saying it's not worth the money, not at all, just by the time you add ppostage to the UK it is really steep by cpomparison to other online UK printers, but what's their quality like?

Any one know, anyone got experiences to share?

Please list the UK online printing services you have used for sizes over 7x5 and what you thought of the Price and the quality

thanks

[kevin_c]

I've used Photobox for quite a few prints and been extremely happy with them. I used Bonusprint once (free voucher) and I'm never using them again!

Jessops have been OK, but not so cheap as Photobox and no better.

[EOS_JD]

Photobox - Prices for some sizes very good and quality in my opinion very good 8/10

Loxley Colour - Prices can be cheaper for some sizes and more expensive for others but quality and service 10/10 www.loxleycolour.co.uk Many pro photographers use Loxley.

[I Simonius]

I've used Photobox for quite a few prints and been extremely happy with them. I used Bonusprint once (free voucher) and I'm never using them again!

Jessops have been OK, but not so cheap as Photobox and no better.

What sizes did you get btw?;)

[EOS_JD]

12x8 from photobox is cheaper than at Loxley although loxley is quite a bit cheaper when printing 12x10s.

[kevin_c]

What sizes did you get btw?;)

I've had anything from 6x4's to 18x12's - Have been very pleased with all especially the last couple of 18x12's - They don't seem to 'bugger around' with colours/exposure etc. (no auto adjustments I assume) and they come out how I expect them to.

All you can do is send them a few files and get some freebies done (you pay postage), they usually have an offer code for new customers.

[Roy C]

I have been getting 18" x 12" from Photobox for a while now and have not been disappointed yet.

[I Simonius]

Is the choice in the uK just between Photobox and Photobox then?

[bildeb0rg]

Try here http://www.rgb-tech.co.uk/page/6

[I Simonius]

Try here http://www.rgb-tech.co.uk/page/6

Thanks - they look interesting:D

[MaDProFF]

I have used photobox quite a few times, and been pretty happy, I know a guy wo does weddings, and sends everything off to them, They are cheap, and quick, with a no hassle will print again if you are not happy (Though I never needed anything re printing)
I might add not used them for quite a while though I print all my own now

[kevin_c]

Other places to look at are www.transpacolor.co.uk and www.peak-imaging.com

Not cheap but offer a lot of services and are more of a semi-pro/pro lab
I use transpacolor for my film D&P work. I have used peak-imaging in the past and whilst they are very good, they are slightly more expensive.

[kevin_c]

Try here http://www.rgb-tech.co.uk/page/6

Thanks for that - They have some pretty good scanning prices :-)

[I Simonius]

I have used photobox quite a few times, and been pretty happy, I know a guy wo does weddings, and sends everything off to them, They are cheap, and quick, with a no hassle will print again if you are not happy (Though I never needed anything re printing)
I might add not used them for quite a while though I print all my own now

not heard a bad word said about them so far...;)

Other places to look at are www.transpacolor.co.uk and www.peak-imaging.com

Not cheap but offer a lot of services and are more of a semi-pro/pro lab
I use transpacolor for my film D&P work. I have used peak-imaging in the past and whilst they are very good, they are slightly more expensive.

thanks for these links;)

[bildeb0rg]

Thanks - they look interesting:D

Thanks for that - They have some pretty good scanning prices :-)

I use them exclusively (pro service) as they seem to have a policy of "the customer is always right." They have a habit of making my mediocrity look quite presentable. Large prints (36"x24") take a while but are stunning.

[bubbawillums]

Another photobox user here. Have been using them for about 4 years with no probs at all and its great quality at a v low price!

[GilesGuthrie]

Another vote for Photobox!

I've printed at up to 10x8, as well as some of their tricksy stuff, such as key fobs, credit cards, business cards (which I used as a Change of Address). Turnaround is very fast, and they're good & cheap.

[I Simonius]

Another photobox user here. Have been using them for about 4 years with no probs at all and its great quality at a v low price!

Another vote for Photobox!

I've printed at up to 10x8, as well as some of their tricksy stuff, such as key fobs, credit cards, business cards (which I used as a Change of Address). Turnaround is very fast, and they're good & cheap.

thanks for the input - it seems Photobox is racing ahead in the polls - no more votes for snapfish?:D

[adam*]

I'm ordering £50 worth of photos with photobox right now so hopefully they turn out well. Getting 12-8, 20-8, 30-20 prints so will let you all know how they turn out. Wish me luck!

[I Simonius]

I'm ordering £50 worth of photos with photobox right now so hopefully they turn out well. Getting 12-8, 20-8, 30-20 prints so will let you all know how they turn out. Wish me luck!

Good luck!:D

Let me know how they turn out?

I do expect the ones Im getting from SM to be good but it just doesn't make sens eto me to pay so much extra ( as much as I love SM) so I await your report with interest;)

[adam*]

Me too! They say it's first class delivery so i'd expect them to arrive tomorrow or wednesday.

[EOS_JD]

I'm ordering £50 worth of photos with photobox right now so hopefully they turn out well. Getting 12-8, 20-8, 30-20 prints so will let you all know how they turn out. Wish me luck!

Adam
No luck required. I've printed quite a few large images and so long as you have enough pixels for a 30x20 it'll be stunning.

I've been using them for quite some time and 1st class service. As I mentioned earlier, I use Loxleycolour and they too offer a 1st class sevice.

I've had the odd problem from both of missing prints and both sent the complete order out next day. In facty Loxley printed a canvas for me at a cost of £130 and printed it wrong. No questions asked they reprinted and sent me the new one out.

I use both and will continue to do so depending on my requirements.

Wit 2 such excellent companies around, I've never seen the need to try anyone else :)

[I Simonius]

I use both and will continue to do so depending on my requirements.

Wit 2 such excellent companies around, I've never seen the need to try anyone else :)

when do you use one in preference to the other?

[adam*]

Adam
No luck required. I've printed quite a few large images and so long as you have enough pixels for a 30x20 it'll be stunning.

I've been using them for quite some time and 1st class service. As I mentioned earlier, I use Loxleycolour and they too offer a 1st class sevice.

I've had the odd problem from both of missing prints and both sent the complete order out next day. In facty Loxley printed a canvas for me at a cost of £130 and printed it wrong. No questions asked they reprinted and sent me the new one out.

I use both and will continue to do so depending on my requirements.

Wit 2 such excellent companies around, I've never seen the need to try anyone else :)

Sounds great. All of my prints were 10/10 on their quality scale, except the 30-20 which was 9/10 (still 'excellent'). Sure it will still print great as at that size i'm hardly going to be pixel peeping at 8".

[adam*]

p.s. I'll take photos of the large format prints for you to all see if interested.

[EOS_JD]

when do you use one in preference to the other?

The range of professional services is much greater with loxley. Framing services in particular are better. I got a framed 20x16 last week for my sister in law and it was stunning. Photobox don't really cater for that type of service well in my opinion. Of course you can buy the print and mount it yourself.

Pb are great for quality prints at decent prices although I also stated above that Loxley are cheaper for some sizes and ordering through their ROES system is great. You can even see how a framed image will look with a frame shown around your image.

So depends on a few factors and the clients that I have.

[adam*]

Have you guys got any advice for framing big photos for cheap and nicely?

[bildeb0rg]

Have you guys got any advice for framing big photos for cheap and nicely?

Usually, this is mutually exclusive. To me a cheap frame just looks cheap. RGB do framed prints, that while pricey, really look stunning on the wall. And come with rear furniture. How many times have you bought a cheap frame, then had to buy frame plates/hooks/horseshoes to hang it with?

[EOS_JD]

Have you guys got any advice for framing big photos for cheap and nicely?

I get my frames from Spicer Hallfield. Frame prices are very reasonable and top quality products (most pro labs use them I believe).

Spicer use distributors to sell the frames and your local one is Colorworld Imaging, Norham Road, North Shields, Tyne & Wear - 0191 2596926

Call them and see what they have to offer.

JD

[curiousgeorge]

I've used Photobox for quite a few prints and been extremely happy with them. I used Bonusprint once (free voucher) and I'm never using them again!

Jessops have been OK, but not so cheap as Photobox and no better.
What's wrong with Bonusprint? I've used them for hundreds of prints and I like the quality.

Only issue is that they let me down with despatch time for a canvas recently, and for that reason I won't use them again..

[I Simonius]

What's wrong with Bonusprint? I've used them for hundreds of prints and I like the quality.

Only issue is that they let me down with despatch time for a canvas recently, and for that reason I won't use them again..

have you tried them for enlargements?

How'd they do?

[curiousgeorge]

The largest was 10x8. That was fine.

I also did a foam backed poster about 20x16. Wasn't then greatest quality but I have nothing to compare it with.

Canvases are v good.

[adam*]

Hey,

Just got my prints. Quality is good but they've all come out too dark really, not too sure what to do. I'm using a GretagMacbeth display calibrator on my laptop and the brightness on screen and in print are pretty different. Any ideas?

[I Simonius]

Hey,

Just got my prints. Quality is good but they've all come out too dark really, not too sure what to do. I'm using a GretagMacbeth display calibrator on my laptop and the brightness on screen and in print are pretty different. Any ideas?

Check the screen gamma ( are you on a mac or PC?) and check the colour space of the files you sent first, it's easy to forget to set it right sometimes?;)

Bit like checking the plug is turned on when something electrical doesn't work - IM amazed how often it's that simple;)

[adam*]

They are all in sRGB, don't know about the gamma. When I look at my other monitor (connected as another display on my laptop) it's closer to the prints and it's not even calibrated. Also when I hold the prints under the light they are closer to how they look on screen but still a little off.

[adam*]

When posted here originally this got no bad critique about its brightness etc and was editing on my calibrated laptop display. The first image is the original, the second is me trying to get it closer to what the printed version looks like (roughly).

[gcogger]

Hey,

Just got my prints. Quality is good but they've all come out too dark really, not too sure what to do. I'm using a GretagMacbeth display calibrator on my laptop and the brightness on screen and in print are pretty different. Any ideas?

What did you choose for luminence when you calibrated your monitor? I use 100 cd/m2 (which is lot lower than suggested by the software), and I still suffer the same issue to a certain extent.

Fundamentally, the problem may be that 'white' on your screen is probably much brighter than the white of the paper when it's viewed under normal lighting. For prints that I know will be viewed under normal indoor lighting, I tend to apply a Levels adjustment before printing to brighten them by adjusting the middle slider. That's probably sacrilege to some :)

[I Simonius]

They are all in sRGB, don't know about the gamma. When I look at my other monitor (connected as another display on my laptop) it's closer to the prints and it's not even calibrated. Also when I hold the prints under the light they are closer to how they look on screen but still a little off.

If you're ona mac the gamma willbe 1.8 unless you have adjusted it but it'll be 2.2 if you're ona PC, if that's not the explanation then Im not sure what else to suggest

[neil_r]

I have used www.colab.co.uk for many years film and digital and I think they are excellent

[adam*]

What did you choose for luminence when you calibrated your monitor? I use 100 cd/m2 (which is lot lower than suggested by the software), and I still suffer the same issue to a certain extent.

Fundamentally, the problem may be that 'white' on your screen is probably much brighter than the white of the paper when it's viewed under normal lighting. For prints that I know will be viewed under normal indoor lighting, I tend to apply a Levels adjustment before printing to brighten them by adjusting the middle slider. That's probably sacrilege to some :)

I may have to get them reprinted to suit my room conditions then, shame as it's £30 wasted now! I didn't get to pick luminence?

If you're ona mac the gamma willbe 1.8 unless you have adjusted it but it'll be 2.2 if you're ona PC, if that's not the explanation then Im not sure what else to suggest

What sould be the default setting for gamma?

I have used www.colab.co.uk (http://www.colab.co.uk) for many years film and digital and I think they are excellent

I don't think the problem is the lab as image quality is good, all the prints are just a bit too dark.

[I Simonius]

What sould be the default setting for gamma?

.

MAC OR PC? [mac default=1.8, pc default=2.2]
whichever you have set it to 2.2 if it isn';t already

[adam*]

Sorry, i'm on a PC. It's already set at 2.2.

[EOS_JD]

Adam
Call Photobox. They are very helpful and if you are not happy they may resend. I've had a couple of small problems and they resent no questions asked.

[adam*]

Will do.

Check out this thread:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=445959

Do you think anything seems off and it's definately my monitor still?

[kevin_c]

Ill second what JD says - give Photobox a call, or email them - I had a problem once and they sorted it out with no hassle or charge.

[da_nige]

I've used Photobox for a while and I have to say they are good but not as good as they used to be. Their turn around is very very quick but I think its too quick as I have felt the quality has dropped a bit. I have had 6x4, 7x5 9x6 12x8 16x12 and 30x20s done.

Adam your problem isn't unique. I experienced it too and emailed them about it. They refunded me my money as print credit. Now I just make my shots slightly lighter on my monitor. I know it isnt my monitor as I use two and the shots look fine on them. Its a Photobox problem.

[adam*]

I've used Photobox for a while and I have to say they are good but not as good as they used to be. Their turn around is very very quick but I think its too quick as I have felt the quality has dropped a bit. I have had 6x4, 7x5 9x6 12x8 16x12 and 30x20s done.

Adam your problem isn't unique. I experienced it too and emailed them about it. They refunded me my money as print credit. Now I just make my shots slightly lighter on my monitor. I know it isnt my monitor as I use two and the shots look fine on them. Its a Photobox problem.

Thanks for your input. I may have to do that. I emailed them and he said they would reprint and check against their screens to check the quality. At least they are attempting to be very helpful about it. I also reckon they might make a slight levels adjustment to them and just send them back to keep me happy :p

[hania]

Try www.Proamimaging.com. based in Bradford.


Incredible quality - I am a member of our local camera club and a visiting photographer told us about them.

Amazing quality & price - 16" x 12" / 18" x 12" = £1.00

Postage on orders below £10 : £4.00

They give you a printer profile to download etc. and you send them a disc.
Very fast turnround

[Victoria Bampton]

Pro Am were exactly the ones I was about to suggest too. I haven't used them directly as I work with another local lab, but I know a lot of pro photographers who are very happy using them, and even happier about the prices.

[Hermes]

From looking at their site, Pro am aren't really an online printer as you have to send them CDs by post rather than simply uploading your images. Shame, their prices look very good.

[Victoria Bampton]

Whilst not actually an online lab, they were looking at adding an FTP facility, so it might not be cd-only for too long.

[Bobster]

have to say i've never used an online printer, always used a local company who i've worked with to get my prints how i want..

[Roy C]

I uploaded some images to Photobox one afternoon a few weeks ago and placed an order. I received and email within an hour to say the order was complete and dispatched and sure enough I received the prints the following day (even Royal Mail must have been on the ball with this one!) I have never had cause to complain with Photobox but their prices are a lot more than Proamimaging.com. although they do a lot of half price deals from time to time.

[I Simonius]

I put up a poll here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=496905) just to see out of interest who uses labs and who prints at home etc;)

[neil_r]

have to say i've never used an online printer, always used a local company who i've worked with to get my prints how i want..

Ahh I have the best of both worlds, I FTP my images in and then occasionally drive the two miles to pick them up :-)

[jpwone]

I have used Photobox exclusively for a number of years now. I have had a few hiccups with orders but they have always been very good and sorted things out pretty quickly. Quality has always been good and service excellent.

However, I recently ordered some A4 prints from Photobox and have to say I was disappointed. I have a calibrated monitor set up and 6x4's ordered at the the same time were fine but the A4's were dark and flat (lacking in contrast). The paper the A4's were printed on was very lightweight. I re-printed myself and whilst giving the client his prints he spotted the ones from Photobox. He immediately noticed the difference in image quality and paper thickness/quality once he was looking at them. End result is I am now looking for another on-line printer for larger prints. I have an account with Loxley and used them a while ago so I will give them another go. From memory the only reason I stopped using Loxley was pricing but they seem to be much better priced now. I have an order to send in the next day or two and I will post an update on how I get on.

[primalcarl]

jpwone, that's concerning! I'm just in the process of trying to sort out some largish prints for customers. I haven't used Photobox for 1-2 years and back then they were the best I tried. I need to do some prints in the 10-12" range or A4, and I need good quality.

Also, do the images arrive in good condition (not bent or crumpled?)

[jpwone]

primalcarl, prints have always arrived well boxed and I have never had one arrive damaged.

The quality of the smaller prints is superb (colour or monochrome). All orders for 5x5 6x4 and 7.5x5 have been excellent. I must admit I was not expecting any problems with the larger prints as they have previously always been to a standard that I was happy to pass on to a client. To some extent I can live with the slightly darker than expected print and knowing this correct for it before printing. The bigger issue for myself was the paper weight. It felt very thin (comparable in thickness with standard 80 or 100 gram letter paper). I was concerned enough to write to Photobox and suggest that they offer a heavier paper at a higher price.

When I originally chose Photobox as my prime on-line printer I did a fair amount of research and got prints from a number of printers. The Photobox price and quality was as good as it got at the time. The clincher for me was that Reuters was using them for on-line print sales. Having worked for Reuters I know how much research goes into choosing a supplier and was of the view that if it was good enough for Reuters it was good enough for me.

As I am not in a rush for the prints I need doing at the moment I will put another order for larger prints to Photobox tomorrow. If I am not happy I will then try Loxley again.

[jpwone]

An update.

I chose to put the order into Loxley rather than Photobox. I ordered 3x 8x10" in a lustre finish and one 12"x10" in a glossy finish. The order was placed at 13:58 on Friday the 9th of May. I specified 'Do Not Colour Correct' on the print options. The order process was simple and easy to follow. There is no status tracking option once an order is placed (unlike Photobox).

The prints arrived today (10th may) at approx 10 am. Less than 20 hours from order to delivery from Glasgow to Dorset. A very impressive turnaround. The packaging was excellent and it would be hard to see how a print could be damaged in transit. The print quality on both sizes is superb and colours, contrast and brightness are excellent and a very good match to my monitor. The prints are on Kodak Endura Professional paper and have a quality feel in both weight and texture.

Loxley was a bit more expensive than Photobox and you have to remember that Loxley prices are VAT exclusive when comparing prices. The total for this order from Loxley including VAT and delivery was £11.46. The same order from Photobox would have been £9.55 including VAT and delivery.

Very pleased with the service and quality from Loxley and if this standard is consistent would not hesitate to recommend them.

[Karlos]

I used to use Photobox but I've been disappointed with the service more than once. From receiving the wrong prints, to having small prints stuck in a tube with larger ones... not good enough. Problems were rectified, but when people are waiting for prints, the delays are unacceptable to me.

I now use Peak Imaging.

[gpocock]

Like most people in the UK I use Photobox and like the results I get. But I do play about with soft proofing using the nearest icc profiles I can find for the Photobox Fuji printers. This is especially important to get the reds the correct colour. I attach two images, one as I think it should be and the second with the hue and saturation and curves tweaked to get an image that will give me a print from Photobox that looks like the the first one. Geoffrey Pocock

[I Simonius]

Like most people in the UK I use Photobox and like the results I get. But I do play about with soft proofing using the nearest icc profiles I can find for the Photobox Fuji printers. This is especially important to get the reds the correct colour. I attach two images, one as I think it should be and the second with the hue and saturation and curves tweaked to get an image that will give me a print from Photobox that looks like the the first one. Geoffrey Pocock

wow that's as bad as having to up the stauration 30% for converting images to web::cry:

[neil_r]

Like most people in the UK I use Photobox

I would love to see the evidence for that :-)

[EOS_JD]

I would love to see the evidence for that :-)

Probably meant most people on the forum from the UK as most do seem to use them.

[LowerO]

Like most people in the UK I use Photobox and like the results I get. But I do play about with soft proofing using the nearest icc profiles I can find for the Photobox Fuji printers. This is especially important to get the reds the correct colour. I attach two images, one as I think it should be and the second with the hue and saturation and curves tweaked to get an image that will give me a print from Photobox that looks like the the first one. Geoffrey Pocock

Geoffrey - would you be prepared to share the details of your "tweaks" - I've been trying to do the same for Photobox, but have been disappointed with my results.

Thanks

[dolfinack]

aghhhh I thought I had found a decent online printing company in Photobox. The price and turnaround blew my knickers off. But Now I've received a batch of 6x4s and they're so flippin DARK!! Grrrrrrr pretty sure my monitor is set up right. The search continues!

[geoffpowell]

I have just tried to access Photobox but I'm blowed if I can get it to work. It looks to be a mix of an old and new web site. Try as I might I couldn't sign up. Is it me or have they screwed their site big time? Are they still in business? wouldn't be suprised if they are not.

[gcogger]

It seems to be working OK for me, although I signed up ages ago so I can't test that.

[dolfinack]

She's a-workin' for me.....

[ChrisR]

I use Photobox and have had prints up to 12x12 - I have always been extremely happy with the prints. I get my 6x4 prints done in mat with a white border and they have such a nice look & feel about them. They ship super quick and I have yet to encounter a single problem.

[Derbyshire Weddings]

I use these, fast and economical. I have used them for four years without a problem.
http://www.dscolourlabs.co.uk/