Best photo labs

John Hales · 07-23-2018, 12:38 PM

Those who use photo labs to do some of their printing, which companies have you used and what has been your experience?
How critical is calibrating your monitor when using a lab?

**pepperberry farm** · 07-23-2018, 12:55 PM

I've used mpix.com (Miller's) for several years and have been very pleased by their products and service...

Natrphot · 07-23-2018, 01:52 PM

I have used mpix.com for larger prints than I can do and Meridian for metal prints. I have been very pleased with both.

**jatrax** · 07-23-2018, 02:29 PM

I've used MPix as well and always been happy with the results. We have a local lab where I get my metal done as it is easier to pick up work but quality is the same.

IMHO a calibrated monitor is critical. But many good quality monitors are close out of the box. MPix used to do a free test print for you when you signed up for an account, not sure if they still do. If so I would do that and see what the results are. If good then great. If not then get your monitor calibrated.

Note that my monitors are calibrated and I do so every month and would not work without. But that is an added expense and may not be needed for everyone depending on how critical you are with your work.

aaacb · 07-23-2018, 02:50 PM

I've been using adoramapix and I like their results. Compared to shutterfly they gave more accurate colors, haven't tried too many others. I don't have a high quality calibrated monitor so I let their technician do the final color adjustment, there's also an option to use exactly as in the file. I recently printed a few 11x17 and a 20x30 inch and they had a final inspection card on the back.

**ramseybuckeye** · 07-23-2018, 03:19 PM

I've used mpix, Adroramapix, Nations Photo Lab, smapfish, easy canvas prints, Shutterfly, and I'm waiting on some from Sharp Prints. I would rate Adoramapix best and then mpix (very close). I've tried Sharp Prints because of the really low price on 8 x10 and I was ordering 29 of them). most of them I have tried because of special offers. Easy Canvas Prints does a really good job on canvas, mpix did mess a few up for me but then they re-printed them.

PDL · 07-23-2018, 08:16 PM

For the most part I use Costco printing services for individual prints, calendars and my one and only on canvas print. With them you need to use the appropriate printer profile when exporting the picture. The printers I have used are the big Fuji printers and I do not know what printer they use for calendars. The have a few stores now using Epson printers, just check their website for the store you want to use and be sure to disable their "autocorrect" function.

The latest prints I had made were done by Whitewall, Fuji paper under acrylic glass on a dibond base. I printed four prints at 5.1x5.1 inches using the Whitewall icc profile in Capture One. My sister really likes the pictures.

officiousbystander · 07-24-2018, 12:54 AM - **1 Like**

For Sydneysiders you can't go past Vision Image in Redfern.
Home - Vision Image Lab
They service the professional market but what I love about them is that even if you drop film off to them once every six months or so they still treat you like you're one of their best customers.
And when they say ready by 5:00 it's usually ready by 4:00.

John Hales · 07-24-2018, 05:42 AM

Originally posted by PDL

For the most part I use Costco printing services for individual prints, calendars and my one and only on canvas print. With them you need to use the appropriate printer profile when exporting the picture. The printers I have used are the big Fuji printers and I do not know what printer they use for calendars. The have a few stores now using Epson printers, just check their website for the store you want to use and be sure to disable their "autocorrect" function.

The latest prints I had made were done by Whitewall, Fuji paper under acrylic glass on a dibond base. I printed four prints at 5.1x5.1 inches using the Whitewall icc profile in Capture One. My sister really likes the pictures.

I thought I heard COSTCO was getting out of the printing business?

PDL · 07-24-2018, 01:05 PM - **1 Like**

After doing a bingle search, I found nothing suggesting that Costco is getting out of the printing business. The three Costco's within driving distance from me (there is a fourth one but it is just || that much to far to drive to) all have very successful photo print businesses. The printers are running every time I go there and during holidays the people are lined up.

One thing with Costco print services, be sure to use a color calibrated monitor, get the icc profiles (from the Costco site) for the printer your Costco will use and be sure to flip the switch that tells the print service to not "autocorrect" your image. Your pictures should come out just the way that you see them on your monitor.

**jatrax** · 07-25-2018, 08:54 AM - **1 Like**

Costco website was hacked and credit card information stolen some time ago, late 2015 I think. They shut down the online photo center completely in order to restructure. Took a couple of months to get things back up again. This led to rumors that they were exiting the photo business. However, the photo center at our two Costcos is always busy and the online site is back.

I do not use them any longer as I was not 100% happy with the quality but the price is excellent and I would not hesitate to use them for personal projects, just not for customer orders.

John Hales · 07-25-2018, 11:20 AM

Has anyone used Bay Photo? Thoughts?

**jatrax** · 07-26-2018, 07:23 AM

Originally posted by John Hales

Has anyone used Bay Photo? Thoughts?

I believe they and Mpix are on par. But I found Bay Photo's software difficult to use at the time. But that has been years. I only used them once but the quality of work was fine.

John Hales · 07-27-2018, 03:23 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

I believe they and Mpix are on par. But I found Bay Photo's software difficult to use at the time. But that has been years. I only used them once but the quality of work was fine.

Thanks jatrax, has mpix been willing to sent you samples of their different papers?

**jatrax** · 07-29-2018, 08:24 AM

John I honestly do not remember. My orders from them are almost all for clients and I do not offer a lot of paper choices on my website for simplicity. I'll bet if you asked they would though.

07-23-2018, 12:38 PM	#1
John Hales Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 61	Best photo labs Those who use photo labs to do some of their printing, which companies have you used and what has been your experience? How critical is calibrating your monitor when using a lab?

07-25-2018, 11:20 AM	#12
John Hales Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 61 Original Poster	Best Photo labs Has anyone used Bay Photo? Thoughts?

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07-23-2018, 12:55 PM	#2
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,676	I've used mpix.com (Miller's) for several years and have been very pleased by their products and service...

07-23-2018, 01:52 PM	#3
Natrphot New Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 6	I have used mpix.com for larger prints than I can do and Meridian for metal prints. I have been very pleased with both.

07-23-2018, 02:29 PM	#4
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	I've used MPix as well and always been happy with the results. We have a local lab where I get my metal done as it is easier to pick up work but quality is the same. IMHO a calibrated monitor is critical. But many good quality monitors are close out of the box. MPix used to do a free test print for you when you signed up for an account, not sure if they still do. If so I would do that and see what the results are. If good then great. If not then get your monitor calibrated. Note that my monitors are calibrated and I do so every month and would not work without. But that is an added expense and may not be needed for everyone depending on how critical you are with your work.

07-23-2018, 02:50 PM	#5
aaacb Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,724	I've been using adoramapix and I like their results. Compared to shutterfly they gave more accurate colors, haven't tried too many others. I don't have a high quality calibrated monitor so I let their technician do the final color adjustment, there's also an option to use exactly as in the file. I recently printed a few 11x17 and a 20x30 inch and they had a final inspection card on the back.

07-23-2018, 03:19 PM	#6
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	I've used mpix, Adroramapix, Nations Photo Lab, smapfish, easy canvas prints, Shutterfly, and I'm waiting on some from Sharp Prints. I would rate Adoramapix best and then mpix (very close). I've tried Sharp Prints because of the really low price on 8 x10 and I was ordering 29 of them). most of them I have tried because of special offers. Easy Canvas Prints does a really good job on canvas, mpix did mess a few up for me but then they re-printed them.

07-23-2018, 08:16 PM	#7
PDL Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: PNW USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,127	For the most part I use Costco printing services for individual prints, calendars and my one and only on canvas print. With them you need to use the appropriate printer profile when exporting the picture. The printers I have used are the big Fuji printers and I do not know what printer they use for calendars. The have a few stores now using Epson printers, just check their website for the store you want to use and be sure to disable their "autocorrect" function. The latest prints I had made were done by Whitewall, Fuji paper under acrylic glass on a dibond base. I printed four prints at 5.1x5.1 inches using the Whitewall icc profile in Capture One. My sister really likes the pictures.

07-24-2018, 12:54 AM - 1 Like	#8
officiousbystander Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 912	For Sydneysiders you can't go past Vision Image in Redfern. Home - Vision Image Lab They service the professional market but what I love about them is that even if you drop film off to them once every six months or so they still treat you like you're one of their best customers. And when they say ready by 5:00 it's usually ready by 4:00.

07-24-2018, 05:42 AM	#9
John Hales Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 61 Original Poster	Originally posted by PDL For the most part I use Costco printing services for individual prints, calendars and my one and only on canvas print. With them you need to use the appropriate printer profile when exporting the picture. The printers I have used are the big Fuji printers and I do not know what printer they use for calendars. The have a few stores now using Epson printers, just check their website for the store you want to use and be sure to disable their "autocorrect" function. The latest prints I had made were done by Whitewall, Fuji paper under acrylic glass on a dibond base. I printed four prints at 5.1x5.1 inches using the Whitewall icc profile in Capture One. My sister really likes the pictures. I thought I heard COSTCO was getting out of the printing business?

07-24-2018, 01:05 PM - 1 Like	#10
PDL Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: PNW USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,127	After doing a bingle search, I found nothing suggesting that Costco is getting out of the printing business. The three Costco's within driving distance from me (there is a fourth one but it is just \|\| that much to far to drive to) all have very successful photo print businesses. The printers are running every time I go there and during holidays the people are lined up. One thing with Costco print services, be sure to use a color calibrated monitor, get the icc profiles (from the Costco site) for the printer your Costco will use and be sure to flip the switch that tells the print service to not "autocorrect" your image. Your pictures should come out just the way that you see them on your monitor.

07-25-2018, 08:54 AM - 1 Like	#11
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Costco website was hacked and credit card information stolen some time ago, late 2015 I think. They shut down the online photo center completely in order to restructure. Took a couple of months to get things back up again. This led to rumors that they were exiting the photo business. However, the photo center at our two Costcos is always busy and the online site is back. I do not use them any longer as I was not 100% happy with the quality but the price is excellent and I would not hesitate to use them for personal projects, just not for customer orders.

07-26-2018, 07:23 AM	#13
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by John Hales Has anyone used Bay Photo? Thoughts? I believe they and Mpix are on par. But I found Bay Photo's software difficult to use at the time. But that has been years. I only used them once but the quality of work was fine.

07-27-2018, 03:23 AM	#14
John Hales Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 61 Original Poster	Originally posted by jatrax I believe they and Mpix are on par. But I found Bay Photo's software difficult to use at the time. But that has been years. I only used them once but the quality of work was fine. Thanks jatrax, has mpix been willing to sent you samples of their different papers?

07-29-2018, 08:24 AM	#15
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	John I honestly do not remember. My orders from them are almost all for clients and I do not offer a lot of paper choices on my website for simplicity. I'll bet if you asked they would though.