Printing Services

[Shadowman]

I noticed FEDEX offers printing services, their prices are exceedingly high.

http://www.fedex.com/us/office/poster-printing.html

[chauncey]

We have a FedEx nearby, have use them when it's a ASAP/PDQ job...OK for kid's homework.
Ya plug in your card and out pops the print. Would not use them for wall hangers.

[Manfred M]

They are very much a "print shop" setup for businesses. They are by no means a "fine art" printing service.

[Shadowman]

Thanks Manfred and Chauncey. I've used the services of only two printers so far, happy with the results but always looking for value, or should I say discount.

[DanK]

John,

I mostly print my own, but I have used Bay Photo a number of times for both regular prints (default luster paper) and metal prints, and I have been very satisfied. Because I have a color-managed workflow, I use their economy service (no color correction), which is quite inexpensive, and the results have been excellent.

Dan

[Shadowman]

John,

I mostly print my own, but I have used Bay Photo a number of times for both regular prints (default luster paper) and metal prints, and I have been very satisfied. Because I have a color-managed workflow, I use their economy service (no color correction), which is quite inexpensive, and the results have been excellent.

Dan

Dan,

The latest prints I had made were 20"x30" and 24" x 36". I would love to be able to do those sizes at home but for now I am limited to 8.5" x 11.0".

[Shadowman]

Dan,

The latest prints I had made were 20"x30" and 24" x 36". I would love to be able to do those sizes at home but for now I am limited to 8.5" x 11.0".

On a related note, when I sent my image to the printer for the 24" x 36" print I received a "resolution too low' message. The image uploaded was 2581 x 3872 pixels at 240 ppi. I used one of those print calculators and it said the resolution should've been 3760 x 8640. The print came out great however, so does resolution really matter with large prints, or does the image itself dictate what can and cannot be enlarged? The photo was an image of the Bay Bridge in direct sunlight. I'm thinking an image with lots of skintone wouldn't fair so well.

[DanK]

On a related note, when I sent my image to the printer for the 24" x 36" print I received a "resolution too low' message. The image uploaded was 2581 x 3872 pixels at 240 ppi. I used one of those print calculators and it said the resolution should've been 3760 x 8640. The print came out great however, so does resolution really matter with large prints, or does the image itself dictate what can and cannot be enlarged? The photo was an image of the Bay Bridge in direct sunlight. I'm thinking an image with lots of skintone wouldn't fair so well.

John,

On the first: I am limited to 13 x 19 at home. I have only printed two larger, but they both went to Bay Photo.

re resolution, check this out: http://help.smugmug.com/customer/portal/articles/93359. I think the issue is upsampling by the lab.

I think LR must upsample also. A few days ago, I printed at 13 x 19 a substantially cropped image from my 15.1 MP 50D. I set LR to my usual 300 ppi without thinking. At 300 ppi, the image theoretically should have been 4560 x 5700. Even at LR's default 240, it should have been 3120 x 3900. In fact, the image was only 2239 x 3272. It printed very well. Perhaps I would see some loss of detail if I looked at it with a loupe, or perhaps not. At even close viewing distances, however, it looks fine, and I don't expect people to look at it with a loupe.

Dan

[Shadowman]

John,

On the first: I am limited to 13 x 19 at home. I have only printed two larger, but they both went to Bay Photo.

re resolution, check this out: http://help.smugmug.com/customer/portal/articles/93359. I think the issue is upsampling by the lab.

I think LR must upsample also. A few days ago, I printed at 13 x 19 a substantially cropped image from my 15.1 MP 50D. I set LR to my usual 300 ppi without thinking. At 300 ppi, the image theoretically should have been 4560 x 5700. Even at LR's default 240, it should have been 3120 x 3900. In fact, the image was only 2239 x 3272. It printed very well. Perhaps I would see some loss of detail if I looked at it with a loupe, or perhaps not. At even close viewing distances, however, it looks fine, and I don't expect people to look at it with a loupe.

Dan

The 24" x 36" image is a gift to a friend and I will advice her to observe from a suitable distance.

[Shadowman]

Dan,

Thanks for the smugmug link. The "why prints get returned" link at the bottom of the page was helpful also.

http://help.smugmug.com/customer/portal/articles/93359

[Shadowman]

Statement from Printing Organizations website.

There was lots of exaggerated advertising (a polite way of saying potentially false and misleading advertising during 2000-2004. By 2005 the printers were better and manufacturers did not have to lie as much. Now, in 2006, the newest printers such as the HP Z2100 and HP Z3100 offer features no one dreamed of in past years. The Canon iPF6000, iPF8000, and iPF9000 also attracted attention (until the HP printers appeared on the scene).

http://www.digital-photography.org/f..._fine_art.html

[Polar01]

John that link you provided in your post #11 is over 5+ years old, most of the printer they mention, have since been replaced by printers that are greatly improved over them.

cheers: Allan

[Shadowman]

John that link you provided in your post #11 is over 5+ years old, most of the printer they mention, have since been replaced by printers that are greatly improved over them.

cheers: Allan

Allan,

Old post, but based on current dissatisfaction with some current models, still relevant.

[Colin Southern]

Dan,

The latest prints I had made were 20"x30" and 24" x 36". I would love to be able to do those sizes at home but for now I am limited to 8.5" x 11.0".

Do what MarkVetNZ did - grab yourself a 2nd Hand Epson 7800 (same as mine); they're built like tanks and handle up to 24" x as-long-as-you-like.

[Shadowman]

Do what MarkVetNZ did - grab yourself a 2nd Hand Epson 7800 (same as mine); they're built like tanks and handle up to 24" x as-long-as-you-like.

Colin,

Thanks, I saw a few on Amazon.

[Colin Southern]

Colin,

Thanks, I saw a few on Amazon.

I'd buy one again in a heartbeat. Great for doing canvases (which is what I wasn't so sure about when looking at HP & Canon at the time). If it's 2nd hand you can check the life counters for info on how much it's done in the past (although they're designed to go all day every day).