JD750 wrote:
I have seen here recommendations for Wallmart printing and a friend recently recommended them. I am wondering for those who might know, how well do they hold up, do they fade over time, change colors over time?
Do you mean Walmart?
In 2024, most labs do a fairly decent job of printing photos, given the following caveats:
1) You calibrate your monitor with a hardware and software device kit from Datacolor or Calibrite.
2) You provide the lab with a file in the ICC color space they expect (usually sRGB).
3) For best results, you use their printer profile as a proofing or simulation profile in your software during final image adjustment.
Traditional silver halide chromogenic (wet process) color labs have many variables to control. Process control and printer control are the two biggies.
If the chemistry is properly mixed, replenished, and adjusted for pH and specific gravity as needed, The color you get will be more accurate than if the chemical activity drifts out of control.
If the printer is properly calibrated for linearity so it produces a true gray at every value between pure black and paper white, AND if it is custom-profiled so the color engine in the controlling computer can convert the image file color profile to the characteristics of the specific printer and paper, you will get more accurate color.
All those stars need to align for best results. If the lab has good quality control, it will deliver consistent quality.
Generally, labs serving the professional community (known in the trade as professional color labs) will keep a steady watch on their chemistry and machine calibration. Calibration changes every time the lab loads a new emulsion number of paper. ICC profiles need to change every time the paper manufacturer re-formulates the paper's spectral response characteristics. That's different from an emulsion batch change, and usually happens every few years.
The question of whether Walmart does any of this sort of thing, or just runs inkjet mini-labs, is one to ask them. Chances are, the person you ask won't have a clue. If you ask a lab like WHCC (White House Custom Color), Bay Photo, American Color Lab, Printique (formerly Adoramapix), Full Color, H&H, UPI Lab, etc. they will be happy to explain the care they take.