Where to get high quality prints?

[Flyhigh1]

i just ordered my first drone picture and realized quickly that not all prints are the same. I ordered a 8X10 from Walgreens for $3 and was not very impressed. Alot of small details were missing and some of the buildings in the background were over exposed compared to the original file. The picture was taken as a RAW file from my Mavic Pro (original) and edited then exported to a jpeg 4.8mb in size. If im doing something wrong please let me know otherwise im looking for a online company that has LARGE high quality photo that can be wall art. Lastly most of my jpeg exports are between 4-5mb in size. Is that big enough for large photos? Thanks

 

[zocalo]

JPEG is lossily compressed and only 8bit colour, and while 4.8MB is still pretty decent for a 12MP image, it's still likely to be discarding a lot of data compared to the raw. If you really want high quality output from raw originals, you probably want a format like PSD (Photoshop) or TIFF that supports 24/32 bit colour with lossless compression. Most print labs would support one or both of these, although they may have some restrictions on the specifics of the file formats - especially for TIFF.

For photographic prints, I'd also look into more specialist outlets that target the more serious end of the photographic market - regular camera/photography clubs and forums should be able to provide some local recommendations for this, but mostly you'll upload images via the web and get your prints in the post, so don't limit yourself to outlets in Wisconsin. Snapfish and Shutterfly seem fairly well regarded in the mail order camp, MPix is a more professional lab that's worth checking out as well.

That said, finding a local print lab may be a better bet though. It can be quite bewildering with a large range of paper types (glossy, matte, silk, lustre, ...) at various weights and textures, plus other media (acryllic, canvas, and metal are all fairly common) available, and picking the right options can be confusing. A good lab will be able to discuss your requirements and suggest what media will work best for you once they see the image. It's also a LOT easier if you can call in and look at some samples, although some outlets may also be able to send you a sample swatch through the post to help you decide. Alternatively, you may need to do some postcard sized prints of the same print on various likely materials to find the one that'll work best for your specific image(s). If in doubt, glossy and matte paper or canvas are probably your best and safest options for landscapes, at least until you get a better feel for what the various options are.

 

[brettbrandon]

I have used AdoramaPix in the past out of New York for my DSLR with great sucess. I see that they are now Printique. If I am not mistaken, they can work from a raw file...
AdoramaPix Quality Photo Books, Prints and More

 

[Flyhigh1]

JPEG is lossily compressed and only 8bit colour, and while 4.8MB is still pretty decent for a 12MP image, it's still likely to be discarding a lot of data compared to the raw. If you really want high quality output from raw originals, you probably want a format like PSD (Photoshop) or TIFF that supports 24/32 bit colour with lossless compression. Most print labs would support one or both of these, although they may have some restrictions on the specifics of the file formats - especially for TIFF.

For photographic prints, I'd also look into more specialist outlets that target the more serious end of the photographic market - regular camera/photography clubs and forums should be able to provide some local recommendations for this, but mostly you'll upload images via the web and get your prints in the post, so don't limit yourself to outlets in Wisconsin. Snapfish and Shutterfly seem fairly well regarded in the mail order camp, MPix is a more professional lab that's worth checking out as well.

That said, finding a local print lab may be a better bet though. It can be quite bewildering with a large range of paper types (glossy, matte, silk, lustre, ...) at various weights and textures, plus other media (acryllic, canvas, and metal are all fairly common) available, and picking the right options can be confusing. A good lab will be able to discuss your requirements and suggest what media will work best for you once they see the image. It's also a LOT easier if you can call in and look at some samples, although some outlets may also be able to send you a sample swatch through the post to help you decide. Alternatively, you may need to do some postcard sized prints of the same print on various likely materials to find the one that'll work best for your specific image(s). If in doubt, glossy and matte paper or canvas are probably your best and safest options for landscapes, at least until you get a better feel for what the various options are.

Thanks for all the information. I was playing with my HDR program and looks like I can export tiff at 16 bit color. I assume this option is still a lot better than JPEG?

 

[brett8883]

i just ordered my first drone picture and realized quickly that not all prints are the same. I ordered a 8X10 from Walgreens for $3 and was not very impressed. Alot of small details were missing and some of the buildings in the background were over exposed compared to the original file. The picture was taken as a RAW file from my Mavic Pro (original) and edited then exported to a jpeg 4.8mb in size. If im doing something wrong please let me know otherwise im looking for a online company that has LARGE high quality photo that can be wall art. Lastly most of my jpeg exports are between 4-5mb in size. Is that big enough for large photos? Thanks

I’m sure there are other good ones but this is my printer and I would never get prints anywhere else. This is a real printer

Nichols Photo Lab

Get high-quality prints that bring your favorite moments to life with our photo lab in Salt Lake City, UT. We offer digital and film photographic processing.

nicholsphotolab.com

You download their software and upload the file to be printed and order from within their program. They will ship you your prints to any address.

The difference between a run of the mill printer and a printer like this is these guys are professionals. This is their career. There’s no comparison between them and walgreens or vista print.

 

[brett8883]

Call them before ordering to find out what they recommend as far as best file type to upload. Their answer may surprise you.

 

[brett8883]

One last thing. Remember that a large format print is viewed differently than a small photo. You view it from further away. What may not look sharp from up close may look sharper from further away, and what may look sharp from close up may not look sharp from far away. This is where a professional printer comes in to figure that stuff out

 

[DougMcC]

I have a MP2 and I have had great luck sending an excellent well exposed JPEG to Costco printing service both for paper and canvas prints. Give them a try and you might be surprised.

 

[snapdog]

As a professional photographer I post my client's photos on Smugmug (JPEG format), and when clients order photos they're printed by Bay Photo. The photos are high quality and available in multiple surfaces. I used them years ago when I lived in Santa Cruz, CA, and was happy to know they are my printer on my Smugmug site. www.snapdog.com
Here's a direct link to their site. Bay Photo Lab - Professional Photo Printing - Prints on Metal, Canvas, Albums & More

 

[hiflyer201]

Hey Snapdog,
really enjoyed looking at your website!

 

[pelagic_one]

...when clients order photos they're printed by Bay Photo. The photos are high quality and available in multiple surfaces. I used them years ago when I lived in Santa Cruz, CA, and was happy to know they are my printer on my Smugmug site.

I second that vote for Bay Photo because they’re founded and staffed by professional photographers and local photography students. Their facilities are state of the art, located near the beach, and also nestled into the redwood forest of Scotts Valley. My local professional photog friends work with Bay Photo more than other providers.

Definitely not a fly-by-night outfit...

 

[snapdog]

Remember going to them when they were downtown in Santa Cruz. Great people!

 

[Hodge]

I have been using www.printique.com they did a really great job on the images I set them. I choose one of their special papers and the prints are amazing.
And having checked pricing on different vendors I think they are a great price. Plus once you sign up with them you get emails with different promo pricing.
I was able to look up my order and it was for Photo prints, 5x7. Metallic

 

[Dave Maine]

Shutterfly has done well by me.

 

[Senasqua]

Bay Photo is very good. I also use MPIX. Never had a problem with either.

 

[realvue]

I really liked Costco photo until they discontinued all their in-house photo services. Granted, enlargements, canvas and specialty were all handled nationally - so in truth nothing will change. But nothing beats just going in and talking to a human being rather than having to suffer through a call center or trying to communicate complex info over email or text. So a big thumbs down to Costco for killing their local photo centers. Lame.

That and getting rid of the polish dogs and sauerkraut. FML. Kill me now.