Developed Prints VS Ink Prints

I am looking for information to prove that developed prints from a LAB of digital images are better than prints from a Ink Printer.

As far as looks, quality, longevity, etc..

Does anyone have any sources to help me back my theory?

I don't think they are better. I find lab prints that I get from www.whcc.com are great. Excelently quality and consistency. I have done a few ink jet prints at Westcoastimaging on their Epson 9800 using Ultrchrome inks and they are gorgeous but different than the lab prints. With the ink jet you have a chance to print on different types of cotton rag paper or other matte papers that give the images great look. The other difference is the price -- the Ink jet prints are 5-8x more expensive. I don't know about longevity -- I think they will both outlast me.

Its is something you might want to try.

Good luck,

Dennis

Here's a testament to one aspect of longevity/quality from an Epson Inkjet (R300 in this case):

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

you can do the same with ultrachrome inkjet prints, or pigment though.

I used to work at a lab. The difference is that lab's are profiled and accurate, as well as when something breaks they pay to fix it, not me.

The best part of inkjet is that immediate feedback.

I guess my question is this.. if you had a great event in your life, and it was caught on film (digital) and wanted a print to retain, would you want inkjet or develoved in a lab and why?

I realy love my lab prints, I think home printing has its place and there are exceptionaly high quality printers available but they as so exspensive. I get my prints from Mpix/miller and they always do an outstanding job and their prices are so good.