Dr.Nikon Loc: Honolulu Hawaii

I have always used frames / textured canvas for my $ shots to clients .. Now they want metal prints ., bright and spanky ..with all of you out there and I know this was covered quite a while ago .., who’s got the best for the price..in everyones HMO…

I don’t have time to experiment with so many companies that are out there .., using time and money to find out when so many of you have already done that ..


Thnx …

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I am a member of Fine Art America and so far the work they have done for me has been very satisfying - some say they are not the cheapest - and I am sure they are not - but no complaints from me or my customers.
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DRM Loc: NC

In a photography-only gallery of which I am a member, we have sold metal prints from five pro labs: Bay Photo; Black River Imaging; White House Custom Color; Artbeat Studios; and CG Pro Prints. Of this group, I would recommend Black River Imaging (BRI) and White House Custom Color (WHCC) above the others.

All five produce very high quality prints. My preference (and the preference of most other photographers in the gallery) is based more on the hanging systems BRI and WHCC offer for prints up to 30x45 inches. Both I and a huge majority of my customers prefer a "float block" hanging system to other options such as inset frame with wire or French cleat. The float block provided by BRI and WHCC covers a significant portion of the back of the print, providing greater support and rigidity to the otherwise flexible aluminum. Float blocks from Artbeat are much smaller, allowing the print to flex much more, which occasionally leads to damage and which makes the print feel less substantial--lower quality--in the hand. I don't think Pro Prints offers float block mounts at all.

BRI is an affiliate of well-known Bay Photo. Metal prints from those two labs are identical in all respects, including print quality and the float block, as far as I can tell (as are prices last time I checked). The reason I prefer BRI to Bay is simple: Bay charges for shipping costs, while BRI currently only charges a flat $1 for shipping. On the 20x30, 24x36, and 30x45 prints we sell most frequently, omitting the shipping charges quickly results in substantial cost savings.

By the way, to my knowledge float block hanging systems are unavailable from any lab for prints larger than 30x45. The 40x60s we've sold and hung for clients all have inset frames.

HRPufnstuf

Bay Photo metal prints are outstanding! However, they offer 6 different finishes.
Send them a photo of something that should be printed shiny, a car for instance. Order a 5x7 metal sample pack. Only costs a few bucks, and you can make your selections for future prints based on which finish works best.

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

I've been using Costco for a few years now and have had very few complaints (one print was too dark and they replaced it for free). Their cost is extremely reasonable and delivery is fast. It used to be that I could stop in at my local store and order it through their photo center, but they've closed almost all of them so it's all through the internet now.

Jack Olson

OKsprat Loc: Oklahoma

[quote=Dr.Nikon]I have always used frames / textured …

I’ve done a few metal prints through Mpix and have been very pleased with the results. I doubt they’re as inexpensive as Costco but I can vouch for the quality.
As a side note, post-sales service from Mpix has been outstanding and I recommend them highly.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

My vote goes to Costco. They do good work and it's fast. Now that we have to pay shipping costs instead of having in-store pick-up, it's a bit pricier, but still cheaper than most with the same quality. The only downside to them is that they use plastic on the back instead of wood. I'm required to put hanging wire on my works for galleries (even the ones that have French cleat systems), so putting the wire into plastic feels less secure than putting it on wood. But so far I've had no complaints.

WDT52 Loc: Sarasota, FL

I have used MPIX and they do a quality job. Every once in a while they will run a sale on metal and that's the time to use them. One of the better wild life photographers, Mark Smith, turned me on to a company call Canvas and Metal Prints .com. They do a fabulous job for a very reasonable price and have a quick turn-around. I also use them for my glass prints.

Machinedoc Loc: Yorktown Heights, NY

I have been very happy with the results from Aluminyze. High quality print with accurately reproduced colors. Do look for coupons.

Nicholas J DeSciose

Reed PhotoArt Denver Colorado the best you can get. They make prints for photographers all over the world


Thnx …[/quote]

bobbyjohn Loc: Dallas, TX

If your business model allows it, why not sell the high-res jpgs to the client and have him order his own metal prints.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

I use Bay Photo and love them and their customer service. Always a sale going on too. I believe (I have not done it) that you can drop ship from them too, as most big companies do.

Acrylic is a good format too Bob. I've done these, but like metal lot better.

greekd214

I've been very happy with Printique.com over the years. I have over 45 metal prints hanging on my walls from them.

tiphareth51 Loc: Somewhere near North Pole, Alaska

Bay Photo has become my go to source for metal prints (I have a gallery of them). Their customer service is excellent! They do ship directly to my clients. Having several 'finishes' to choose from is a very big deal to me. Their frequent sales help out as well.

Judy795

https://artisticphotocanvas.com/

Sarasota FL

I have started using them after strong recommendations from my camera club. They specialize in metal prints. I have had many from MPIX and Bay Photo. These are even better quality and color than those other companies. Because I am local, I can take my flash drive to them and watch as they bring it up on their monitor and make any minor adjustments needed. I also save on shipping costs when I pick it up.

I had a series of large paper prints done at COSTCO. I got what I paid for. They are OK, but look like they were done for hotel or hospital rooms.