Jessops

[SimesWales]

Anyone used Jessops for printing, or any of the other major UK companies? I am looking to get some decent black and white prints done. It's going to be a present for my mother of my father. Any suggestions gratefully received

[ST1]

I would suggest DS Colour Labs or Loxley Colour I've used both but never for black and white. They both have very good reputations for quality and price.

[Black Pearl]

Speak to Loxley Colour and find out what you need to supply for them to give you what you want.

[SimesWales]

Thanks guys, it will be scans or digital photos of black and white prints from the originals taken in late 1940's

[tao2]

Anyone used Jessops for printing, or any of the other major UK companies? I am looking to get some decent black and white prints done. It's going to be a present for my mother of my father. Any suggestions gratefully received

Hi Simes,

Ah'd recommend ILFORD labdirect for B+W prints. Wouldn't recommend Jessops, they take 2-4 weeks (send ALL their films to Germany...crazy).

[SimesWales]

I have the original prints from the late 1940's. Can scan them on my Canon scanner at 600 DPI and I am quite happy to clean up the resulting scans, remove dust marks, the odd whites spot etc.. Or is that a mistake? Would it be better to leave it up to one of the companies, to do this work?

The more I look into this, the more unsure I am becoming.

[ST1]

I have the original prints from the late 1940's. Can scan them on my Canon scanner at 600 DPI and I am quite happy to clean up the resulting scans, remove dust marks, the odd whites spot etc.. Or is that a mistake? Would it be better to leave it up to one of the companies, to do this work?

The more I look into this, the more unsure I am becoming.

If you have the time and capabilities to do the processing you described I would do so. Once you have an image you're happy with try any of the suggested print companies for a 7 by 5 (or similar size) print to allow you to assess the printed image.

[SimesWales]

If you have the time and capabilities to do the processing you described I would do so. Once you have an image you're happy with try any of the suggested print companies for a 7 by 5 (or similar size) print to allow you to assess the printed image.

I think that sounds the best way forward so far. I have Photoshop, Photoshop Elements and Lightroom. In which case, I suppose I have nothing to lose, doing a few test prints from the suggested companies.

[SimesWales]

Another question? The original B&W print is approx 2.5 by 3.5 can be scanned at 600dpi. Is this good for a print? It's the small size of the original print I am concerned about.

[Geoff F]

What DPI options do you have?

I regularly scan images like this for my local history society. I can scan at 1200 ppi for example then print 4 times the original size at 300 ppi.

In fact I regularly scan film negatives/slides (at higher ppi settings) and produce A4 size prints with no problems.

Just a simple case of careful use of resizing settings then a little bit of sharpening, etc.

[xpatUSA]

I have the original prints from the late 1940's. Can scan them on my Canon scanner at 600 DPI and I am quite happy to clean up the resulting scans, remove dust marks, the odd whites spot etc.. Or is that a mistake? Would it be better to leave it up to one of the companies, to do this work?

The more I look into this, the more unsure I am becoming.

I've done a lot of scanning of my father's stuff taken in the early '40s. I'm not certain that you need 600 dpi but that would depend perhaps how large you want print. It might be that 150 or 300 dpi would be sufficient because the original photo resolution isn't all that wonderful, usually.

Numbers: you scan a 4x5" at 600 dpi. Scanned image is 2400x3000px. To print at 8x10", 300 ppi would do it - but I don't print, so don't take it from me.

Another question? The original B&W print is approx 2.5 by 3.5 can be scanned at 600dpi. Is this good for a print? It's the small size of the original print I am concerned about.

In this instance 600 dpi would be appropriate, IMHO.

More numbers: 2.5 by 3.5 at 600 dpi = 1500x2100px. Printed at 180 ppi, that gets you 8.33x11.67" so a little resizing would get you a passable (for your parents) 8x10", I reckon.

I'd say at least try it yourself, nothing ventured . . . etc.

Good luck.

P.S. I've used typical ppi's above for two different makes of printer, just to make my examples semi-logical.

Printing at 150 ppi from 1500x2100px would need greater down-sizing than at 180 ppi. Doesn't matter too much - most print functions allow you to put in any ppi number you like and most let you put in the final sizes required instead and will re-sample your masterpiece accordingly.

[SimesWales]

Max print size will be A4, probably will be 7x5 though. Does that make sense?

[xpatUSA]

Max print size will be A4, probably will be 7x5 though. Does that make sense?

If you're asking me, then it makes sense. Running numbers again:

More numbers: 2.5 by 3.5 at 600 dpi = 1500x2100px. Printing at 300 ppi gets you 5x7"

[SimesWales]

Thx good to run the numbers past someone else who has more experience than myself.