Online Printing Facilities

[Tom O.]

I want to get a couple of prints made that are too big for me to do at home (over 8X10's). Is there anyone online that does a good job that anyone could refer me to?

I have gone through the Wal-Marts and so fourth in the local area and have not been real happy with the outcome.

Thanks in advance.

[hickory]

Tom,

I just received my first print today from Mpix.com and I have to tell you I am impressed! I uploaded a file Friday night (4-15-05) and it got here today. The print is a 20 x 30 inch photo on their metallic finish paper and I couldn't be more happy with the process or the quality!.

tom

[Digital Prophet]

I just received my first MPix order today as well. I submitted the order yesterday morning and it showed up at my office just over 24 hours later. And the print quality was very very good.

I highly recommend this site to anyone and everyone.

- Digital Prophet -

[gmaize]

First an answer to the first post. Try 30minphotos.com. The prices are reasonable, service is quick and they will ship. I've had great work from this group over the years as thier shop is local for me. I've just now begun using their online services and it takes no work at all to post images, crop and order. If you prefer to not have them correct your images, this is an option. I trust them to correct mine and in only very few instances were they off the mark.

Second, a question for you that order prints online. Do you do all your own photo corrections, or do trust in the online labs to make these adjustments? The reason I ask is that I work strictly on a medium quality laptop and am not confident that my non-calibrated monitor will provide acceptable results if I order uncorrected work. I'd be appreciative of your thoughts on the subject.

--gmaize

[Tom O.]

Thanks guys! I will look into both options.

What is the advantage to the Metallic finish paper? I have heard of it but never used it. Is it much better than the normal photo paper or is it just personal preference.

[hickory]

What is the advantage to the Metallic finish paper? I have heard of it but never used it. Is it much better than the normal photo paper or is it just personal preference.


Tom,

I'm not sure what the advantage is honestly. The photo does have that "pop" that they say it will but since I didn't have the same photo done on their regular paper I can't compare. I guess I need to read up on the paper thats being used and they are mailing me a free sampler of the paper so maybe that will help. You can get them to mail you a sample and see for yourself.

Tom

[hickory]

Second, a question for you that order prints online. Do you do all your own photo corrections, or do trust in the online labs to make these adjustments? The reason I ask is that I work strictly on a medium quality laptop and am not confident that my non-calibrated monitor will provide acceptable results if I order uncorrected work. I'd be appreciative of your thoughts on the subject.

--gmaize

gmaize,

I told Mpix not to color adjust my photo since I had done my own adjustments. But if your using a laptop of medium quality I think I would also go with there color corrections. My print was exactly what I wanted from the file I uploaded and having it printed to 20 x 30 I didn't expect that would happen.

Tom

[TSEE]

I've never printed anything bigger than an 8x10, but I will in a few weeks, my dad wanted me to print a few poster sizes for him and I'll be going thru York Photo. They've got cheap prices, as far as I know they do good printing and offers a money back guarantee if you're not happy with them.
That's what I'm gonna try, but upon looking at the otehrs recommended the MPix sounds good also. My first choice would be yorkphoto.com and if I'm not happy with them I'd try someone else, I go where I get the best deal first unless they've really butchered something for me before, so far so good.

[RKH]

Try this site out, they do great work www.mymarketingstop.com there number is on the site.

[gmaize]

I told Mpix not to color adjust my photo since I had done my own adjustments. But if your using a laptop of medium quality I think I would also go with there color corrections. My print was exactly what I wanted from the file I uploaded and having it printed to 20 x 30 I didn't expect that would happen.

Tom[/QUOTE]


Tom,

Thanks for the opinion!! It confirms my suspicion that unless I have calibrated my monitor to the output device I would be shooting in the dark with outsource reproductions.

gmaize

[Digital Prophet]

I do all of my own corrections. So I opted to not have color correction also. But what I found very helpful was that if you write to MPix they will send you thier color profile so that you can more accurately soft proof your images.

- Digital Prophet -

[jboyd]

I use www.phopar.com. They are local for me, but they also have all the web options and will ship your prints to you. I actually upload everthing to them using their Workstream option, and then just pick it up when completed. They color correct everything unless you tell them not to.

[cactusclay]

I use a local lab, but a friend of mine that shoots weddings, says he uses Sam's club and it's cheap. I haven't looked into it, but you never know.

[gmaize]

I do all of my own corrections. So I opted to not have color correction also. But what I found very helpful was that if you write to MPix they will send you thier color profile so that you can more accurately soft proof your images.

- Digital Prophet -
Digital Prophet.....

Thanks for the tip. I might give Mpix a try and ask about the color profile information. I like the term "soft proof"....takes the pressure off of being perfect in your corrections.

--gmaize