Online print shop

[dwaugh]

I'm going to be making some prints of some of my best photos coming up soon, including panoramics of custom sizes, and I have been searching for a good place to use that is of good quality, but not super expensive. I found Mpix a long time ago, and I have checked out Adorama as well. I also found this site called BigPhotoHelp (click for the link) and they have great pricing, especially for custom sizes. I'm not sure what the quality will be, but it sounds ok... I sent in a request for free samples and they should be here any day now. What should I look for on the free samples to determine if this is a quality printing shop? I dont know a lot yet about how different prints might look, so it will be nice to know if there is anything I should look for that might tell me something. It says they use Kodak Premium Photographic paper, with three different surface finishes...
So, let me know what you think about this place, if you have any ideas... If this turns out to be a good place, it is where I'll be getting a lot of my prints done, or at least the panoramics. Thanks.

[another view]

I wouldn't worry about the quality of the samples, they'll only send their best...

The samples might be a good thing to see what the paper finish looks like, but also how soon you get them (customer service). With 4x6 samples (guessing that's what they'll send), the prints should be of excellent quality. I'd be surprised if they had obvious defects and would probably think of that as careless handling and wouldn't use them.

The most important thing for any print is to send them the file how they want to receive it. This most likely means sRGB color space. If you're not familiar with color spaces then don't worry about it because that's what the camera shoots unless you change it. This whole color space thing is true of any lab, and an incompatibility will give you colors that can be slightly off. I've used Mpix as many others here have, and been happy with their work and service.

[mjs1973]

I just ordered a couple odd sized pano's from Mpix yesterday. I created a pano with an aspect ratio of about 4:10. Mpix doesn't have any paper sizes that will fit this real well, so I doubled the higgt of my canvas size, and pasted a duplicate copy of the photo onto the extra canvas. So now I have 2 photos on a single file, with a bit of space in between. I was able to order a 16x20 photo of this file. When I get it, I will be able to cut the photo in half, and have two 8x20 panos for the price of a single 16x20 print which is $15.99 at mpix. The prints should be here tomorrow or Friday.

[Dylan8i]

i had two 7 by about 30 prints made while i was in Moab last summer. the original files were about 8 by slightly over 30. and would have been 60$ each since they woul dhave had to use a full sheet, so i then asked about reducing to fit two, and it was the same price :-P they turned out awesome. but that was a local shop i delt with personally. They played with the colors and everything, it did take about a week though.

i've used online places once or twice and had no problems, but i'd be alittle more leary about custom sizes. might want to send them emails (or call)asking how they deal with them.

[dwaugh]

The samples they are sending are 8.5x11". Good idea to ask how they deal with them. It is explained somewhat on the website (which I have a link to in the first post). Also, for pricing they have a formula/equation that determines the price for any size. One of my panoramics I hope to print out large at 12x45" and according to the equation (they also have a price calculator that does it for you) it will only cost about 20 dollars. So, it's pretty cheap and perhaps worth a try for that price. If it work out well, that's gonna be one good deal... I'll let you know how the samples look. They also say on the site that all orders are processed and printed on the same day if recieved before noon, and they ship the same day.

[dwaugh]

I got the sample prints today along with a few papers telling about their services. The paper, as I said before is Kodak, and they sent me three 8.5x11" samples, one matte, satin, and glossy. I notice how each one brings out a different quality in the print, for example, satin has the deepest colors. All of them look pretty good to me, and I think that for the price, it is definetly worth trying a few panoramics, and I think they may turn out well. As I was looking at the samples, I remembered that for large prints, you dont look at them up close, but from a distance. I'm going to give this place a try, maybe order one panoramic as a satin and one as a glossy, and see how it looks.

[mjs1973]

Keep us posted!!

I got my panos from mpix yesterday, and once again, I'm very happy with the results!

[ciddog91]

Hey All.....

Has anyone used BigPhotoHelp and anyother service? I was looking at using Mpix, but just ordered the samples from BigPhoto. I have been using a local camera shop, but am thinking about using an on-line shop. I have heard good things about Mpix, but am looking for other recommendations..

Prices are good from BigPhoto and Mpix.. Just wondering what you all thought....

Thanks......Phil

[gryphonslair99]

Give them a look. They are local for me, but the are equiped for internet orders.

http://www.delanocolor.com/

[ciddog91]

99...

Thanks. I looked them up at work and printed some of their info.. I will have to try them...

[Xia_Ke]

I just received another order of 8x12's and 8x10's in from Adoramapix and couldn't be happier. They just upgraded their black and white print process too and it's much better now. Usually takes about a week to get the prints in but, they do have rush service options available if needed. Prices are cheaper than Mpix, though having never ordered from Mpix, I'm not sure how the quality compares.

[mjs1973]

Prices are cheaper than Mpix, though having never ordered from Mpix, I'm not sure how the quality compares.

I have ordered lots of prints from both places, and I think the quality of both is very good, but I think mpix is a touch better. I have only ordered the standard paper from both places.

The prices at Adorama are a little cheaper, but their basic paper isn't the same as what mpix uses. Mpix's standard paper is the Kodak Professional Endura with a matte finish. Adorama uses Kodak Royal Gold in either matte or glossy. Adorama's next step up in paper quality is the Kodak Pro. Endura in a luster finish. Mpix will also add a luster finish, for a fee. Mpix is now offering 19 cent prints on their E-surface paper, but they will not color correct them. I think this is a steal! If you have a pretty acurate monitor, mpix's 19 cent 4x6 prints on the E-surface is pretty hard to beat IMHO. From my experience, mpix shipping is a lot faster too.

[Xia_Ke]

Thanks for the comparison Michael So far I have only ordered prints on Kodak Professional Endura Metallic Paper or Ilford Black and White from Adorama. I'm getting ready to order some more prints so I might have to give Mpix a shot this round. Thanks again