Printing Those Wonderful Q Images!

[bourne]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I apologize in advance if this post should be placed in a different category.  However, I am hoping that someone could recommend to me an outside source of professional quality prints/books from my Q2 files.  I realize that some services may be better at books than prints etc...  Insights on your process of preparing files before sending to services would also be helpful.  Color calibration, brightness compensations etc...  Thanks so much.  So tired of just looking at my images on screen.

[Leica28]

I have used Dale Labs in Hollywood Florida since the early 70’s.  They do top absolute notch work.  I’d suggest sending them a file or two and see if their work meets your requirements.  Their photo books are a little on the basic side (design wise) but maybe it’s what you are looking for.   Print Ninja is based in Evanston Illinois and they do a superb job printing coffee table books, magazines, etc.  I’ve used them in the past to create magazines that a few commercial clients had requested for their photo images.  Bear in mind they use offset printing so there is usually a minimum order.  Everything is done online and you choose the type of binding, cover, dust jacket, etc.  If you are looking to sell your books or magazines then this would be a viable option.   Still another avenue for you is Chicago Pressman.   I have used them many times and their work is equally top of the line.  They also use 4 color offset printing but they are equipped to run smaller minimums.  Hope this helps. 

[Leica Guy]

I use BayPhoto for prints and have for the past 5 years. A wide range of print products, exceptional quality and excellent customer service. 
 

I use Blurb to make photo books. I recently completed my 17th. Mostly documenting family events, travel and wildlife. This works well for me. Shutterfly is an alternative. I’ve not used them, but I’ve seen their books and are impressive. I still prefer Blurb in part because I’m know their development tool very well and it’s easy to use. 

[HighlandK]

I'm a fan of Blurb too for their books. I find their inDesign plug in works very well and gives me the freedom of design I want. Over here they get printed in Holland or Germany - cannot recall - and their return service is vey good (even after that thing called Brexit) but I am sure their service will be just as good in the US. The last one I did was  large landscape on Mohawk Pro-Photo Pearl paper and the results were outstanding. It goes without saying you need to have your monitor calibrated and use appropriate ICC profile.

Edited February 5, 2021 by HighlandK

[Jeff S]

On 2/4/2021 at 1:07 PM, bourne said:

So tired of just looking at my images on screen.

Another option is to make your own prints.  Digital makes this far more convenient and flexible than in darkroom days.  The Digital Post Processing portion of the forum includes myriad discussions (as well as threads regarding book publishing, etc).

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/forum/55-digital-post-processing-forum/

Jeff

 

[PhotoCruiser]

vor 15 Stunden schrieb Jeff S:

Another option is to make your own prints.  Digital makes this far more convenient and flexible than in darkroom days.  The Digital Post Processing portion of the forum includes myriad discussions (as well as threads regarding book publishing, etc).

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/forum/55-digital-post-processing-forum/

Jeff

 

I just bought a Epson ET-7750 Photo printer and the ones i printed yesterday are amazing quality. and surprisingly without calibration.
It would be cheaper to have them printed, but after mostly delusions i prefer to work with my own printer and calibrate my whole system.
Epson delivers also printer paper files for their photo print papers and the software has a preview settin to avoid expensive prints with errors.
I either printed directly the DNg files out of Photoshop and Lightroom and the printed photos were 95% identically to my calibrated screens.

Printing thyru a print service would be much cheaper than printing itself, but missprints can be annoying and expensive...

Chris
 

[Leica Guy]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

5 hours ago, PhotoCruiser said:

I just bought a Epson ET-7750 Photo printer and the ones i printed yesterday are amazing quality. and surprisingly without calibration.
It would be cheaper to have them printed, but after mostly delusions i prefer to work with my own printer and calibrate my whole system.
Epson delivers also printer paper files for their photo print papers and the software has a preview settin to avoid expensive prints with errors.
I either printed directly the DNg files out of Photoshop and Lightroom and the printed photos were 95% identically to my calibrated screens.

Printing thyru a print service would be much cheaper than printing itself, but missprints can be annoying and expensive...

Chris
 

I use BayPhoto for many larger prints. I find the quality of their prints and availability of different papers and range of products to be excellent. Of course using ICC profiles is important. I also have found with just a few prints from them that had minor defects they replaced immediately at no charge to me including shipping. 
 

I have an Epson 3880 printer that I enjoy using especially for smaller prints or quick 8x10’s. It’s a workhorse and very reliable. 

[Jeff S]

5 hours ago, PhotoCruiser said:

I just bought a Epson ET-7750 Photo printer and the ones i printed yesterday are amazing quality. and surprisingly without calibration.
It would be cheaper to have them printed, but after mostly delusions i prefer to work with my own printer and calibrate my whole system.
Epson delivers also printer paper files for their photo print papers and the software has a preview settin to avoid expensive prints with errors.
I either printed directly the DNg files out of Photoshop and Lightroom and the printed photos were 95% identically to my calibrated screens.

Printing thyru a print service would be much cheaper than printing itself, but missprints can be annoying and expensive...

Chris
 

I print, custom mat and frame my own prints for a small fraction of the cost to do the same using print and framing shops.  Depends on volume purchases, usage, print size, etc.  My prints are modest sizes, so no need to outsource.  I far prefer having immediate control and flexibility, including paper types that print shops may not stock.  And I like to make work prints and live with them for a period before deciding on further edits, final print worthiness, etc. Same as in darkroom days; just different tools.

Jeff

[PhotoCruiser]

Am 6.2.2021 um 16:22 schrieb Jeff S:

I print, custom mat and frame my own prints for a small fraction of the cost to do the same using print and framing shops.  Depends on volume purchases, usage, print size, etc.  My prints are modest sizes, so no need to outsource.  I far prefer having immediate control and flexibility, including paper types that print shops may not stock.  And I like to make work prints and live with them for a period before deciding on further edits, final print worthiness, etc. Same as in darkroom days; just different tools.

Jeff

My words!

Most statistics say that print labs are cheaper, but mostly for small 5x7 bulk prints, bu i also like to print whenever i want and see the result immediately.

I only print bigger than A3 size, but still the risk of a expensive missprint is high and expensive.

Chris