jburlinson Loc: Austin, TX

Do you get the Photographic Prints, the Photo Inkjet Prints, or the Giclee Fine Art Prints?

Photoladybon Loc: Long Island

I use either WHCC or BAY PHOTO. Both do superb work and back their product line. Good luck with re-opening your studio.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

I highly recommend Bay Photo for everything, except portraits. I recently sent several portrait images to both Bay Photo and MPIX as a test, and liked the skin tones from MPIX the best. I only mention that because I know you do excellent portrait work.

The Capt.

I hear that Nations prints sRGB at 8 bit. For me that's a deal breaker.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Thank you for sharing your experience with Costco's Print Services AzPicLady.
Unfortunately I'm not a member, nor do I live close enough to justify same.

Sadly I'm in an area of Northern VA that is high value because the Metro Line passes directly close by...
Likely why my local Office Depot closed.... All the local shopping centers are now being converted to high rise condos! Such is progress... :)

The good news is I have ample reserved space off street parking... Truly a must for a photographic studio.
I've heard good things about the exceptional price savings at Costco... There just too far away.
It's the luck of the draw...

I've been here for 25 years, it's totally recognizable from the sleepy little town it use to be.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Totally agree Bushpilot and Rick... WHCC is the cat's meow... I've used them before for major business card runs.
They get it right the first time (unlike many of their competitors).

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Thank you for your feedback on Nations Photo shipping experiences PhotogHobbyist.

The reason I prefer rolled prints is I have a Michael's within walking distance that has superb equipment for mounting prints. Sadly I've had just one too many prints damaged in shipping. However they were not mounted so maybe mounted prints might be an option.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Good to know Costco ships in rolled tubes mr spock.
They are still on my short list...
Thanks!

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Thank you so much for the link to Printique by Adorama gwilliams6
And for sharing your experience with them. Greatly appreciated!

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Thank you so much for your very kind wishes of luck in reopening my studio Photoladybon!
Rest assured that is greatly appreciated... I closed down on July 1st 2020.
It seems like an entire lifetime has passed since... Have been working the strobes/speedlights and exercising my cameras and lenses. Only had one go south... a DX zoom with VR that started squeaking... It's toast, water under the bridge (it was long out of warranty).

At least once a month I tested all my kit *each and every body & lens plus the studio strobes...
Experience has been a brutal teacher in the past. Sadly I'm having to replace much of my makeup product (it definitely has a shelf life) you never ever want to put spoiled makeup product on anyone's face. Only the powder product survived... but the foundation palettes are history and very pricey to replace.

Also appreciate your recommendations for WHCC or BAY PHOTO! I know from experience that WHCC rocks! Have only used them before for offset press runs... Will consider their photo prints now...

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Thank you for sharing your experiences with Bay Photo Fredrick... Yes you are correct... portraiture actually pays the bills... editorial stuff is fun but typically done as creative testing... However models will request editorials for submission to agencies... They need 9-12 prints for their books. And they need to have extremely accurate skin tones...

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

Just mentioning that MPIX is the consumer brand of Miller Photo. I was never a fan of MPIX (ok, just not wow), but Miller did a fine job. You might want to check them out too. I gravitated from Miller to either Bay or WHCC.

https://www.millerslab.com/home?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2aDYn-H49QIVC26GCh3Y8QJIEAAYASAAEgI6dvD_BwE

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

There is a really good source up the pike from you, Tom: Full Circle in Baltimore: https://fullcirclefineart.com. I began using them when they gave me CibaChrome prints, so you know they've been in it for awhile now. The only hangup for you down in the District is that, as far as I know, you have to pick the prints up in person, but they might agree to ship in tubes; ask 'em.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

There are many good pro labs. Some deal in high volume, some deal in small customers, some deal with professionals, and some deal with amateurs. Others will deal with anyone.

American Color Imaging, Bay Photo, White House Custom Color (WHCC), H&H, Bay Photo, Full Color, mPix/Millers, and UPI Lab are just a few I respect. There are probably a couple dozen others worth looking at.

Honestly, most good labs are just "output devices" these days. HOW you prepare your files and communicate your needs are the two most important factors in getting what you want from a lab. Do that right, choose carefully, and you'll be happy.

I used to work at a major school portrait lab in Charlotte. We would see the folks from the labs I listed at Kodak Professional seminars, PMAI, PPA, WPPI, and other trade shows. We would share war stories over lunch and at breaks.