I am an amateur photographer using Canon Rebel xti
camera and pixma ip5000 printer. Am looking to move into larger format printer. Printing issues on web forums look daunting. Is there a local users group that is interested in tackling printing issues for the amateur photohobbyist.

Printing issues can be daunting, but needn't be. As for local user groups, check into some of the Clubs in the Greater Detroit Camera Club Council, or the Ford Photo Club. Adray's in Dearborn has some good sales people. Mike and Eric come to mind. This iBBS is also a good source of info.

Some inkjet printers were/are poorly designed and supported. Check into tech support before you buy one. Some don't do B&W all that well.

Ink costs can be large, depending how many prints you intend to make.

If you're only going to be printing a few dozen large prints, consider using a service bureau. Some Walmarts are now using profiles for excellent color results. A friend used Ford Photomedia and was very pleased with their service, results, and costs. [ You need to make an appointment with them at the Ford Word HQ Bldg. in Dearborn due to security reasons. ] Adray's also makes large prints, and there are a number of Internet businesses that make large prints. However, I think you should use local photo services for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is transmitting large files.

Richard:

The new Costco in Bloomfield at
2343 South Telegraph Rd
Bloomfield, Michigan 48302
248-836-1603

offers prints up to 20" x 30" are printed right in the store and the ones I have seen from Costco are unbelievable for very low prices. Examples are 11" x 14" or 12" x 18" for $2.99 and 16" x 20" or 20" x 30" for $9.99. They can be had in matte or glossy. And I believe that you can also use profiles for color accuracy. Might be worth looking into considering the cost of large format printers, and media not to mention the cost of ink. The equipment used at the store is high end Fuji printers.

I took several digital photography classes at my community college taught by a professional photographer. He swore that Fuji printers were the best and recommended finding a store outlet with Fuji printing rather than printing your own for the very same reasons you state.I think he also mentioned Walmart with pro profiles.

I agree with Brian!
Costco does amazing work (yeah Costco, really) for unbelievably low prices. They print it better and cheaper than I can with my own printer. You can download color profiles (I don't) for accurate color needs. You can either pick up the prints or have them mailed right to you (or whoever you want).
The one reason I really like their service is because they offer an 8x12 which is the size you need from a digital camera without having to crop! I can't print an 8x12 myself without having some paper cut down to that size.

See my blog post on the subject.

Now the only time I would a photo to my Epson is in an emergency (must have it NOW) situation. Otherwise my prints go to Costco.

quote:

Originally posted by Brian Stone:
Richard:

The new Costco in Bloomfield at
2343 South Telegraph Rd
Bloomfield, Michigan 48302
248-836-1603

offers prints up to 20" x 30" are printed right in the store and the ones I have seen from Costco are unbelievable for very low prices. Examples are 11" x 14" or 12" x 18" for $2.99 and 16" x 20" or 20" x 30" for $9.99. They can be had in matte or glossy. And I believe that you can also use profiles for color accuracy. Might be worth looking into considering the cost of large format printers, and media not to mention the cost of ink. The equipment used at the store is high end Fuji printers.

If you just want prints, and aren't very fussy about color, any local service bureau will do. Your printing needs might vary - according to the value you place on certain images. Maybe you'd like to spend more on special events, certain albums / scrapbooks, or genealogy studies.

The more work you put into a digital print, the less work professional service bureaus will be required to perform. Therefore, their charges should be less.

Perhaps you've already realized that digital photography is more work than film-based photography. Especially as regards "lab work" after snapping a few pictures. It's more work during the post-processing and printing stages.

Most service bureaus will not deal with ICC color profiles, which is to say (Apple) ColorSync and (Microsoft) ICM2. Those tools were invented for a reason - color control in the graphics, photo, chemical, and textile industries. Most service bureaus don't know how to use color management, they don't want to know how to do it, and they may be incapable in other ways. Most "Pro" labs still adjust color by eye, which may or may not work. [ Skin tones might look right, but backgrounds might be supersaturated or dull. ] You can help them along by using various white balance techniques, but that technique is still prone to foibles. As always, some labs are more careful about their calibration and maintenance procedures.

More discriminating photographers would need to go the color profile route. Ford knows how to do it, but that's a special request (not a special price). Ask for Neeley Edelman at 313 .322. 3131 (Ford Communication Services or Ford Photomedia). Paul Bury is the Supervisor who you need to discuss color profiles with. Ford uses a (laser-based) LightJet printer to write directly on silver halide papers. They produce *real* color photos - not inkjet, or dry process photos. They also offer mounting and framing services.

Meteor Photo is still around for people on the north side of town, but I don't know their capabilities. North American is available on the west side of town; they may claim they use color management, but they're still adjusting prints by eye. They really don't know what color management is, as envisioned by ICC, X-Rite, Kodak, Gretag, and Apple.

I know that's more information than you asked for - but possibly not more than you need. Maybe it's time for another photo tutorial at MacGroup Detroit???

In you lengthy comment you neglected to offer any pricing information. Would you care to elaborate on prices. I called Ford Photo-1 and got a recording saying there was no one there to answer the phone.

I just checked with Meteor Photo in Troy and they quoted the following prices. They do not have prices on their web site, phone quote only. These prices are from digital files.

8" x 12" or 11" x 14" First print is $30.75 second on same order is $9.00
12" x 18" or 16" x 20" First print is $36.50 second on same order is $12.00
18" x 24" or 20" x 24" First print is $49.00 second on same order is $15.00
20" x 30" First print is ONLY $82.75 second on same order is $45.00

Meteor does not offer profiles but will try to match colors if given a sample of colored material to match.

Unless the photos are being sold for pretty hefty prices looks like Costco is the place to go. At their prices re-correcting an image and having it printed again would be a savings. Meteor quotes about a week and Costco has same day service

Here is another option from one of our members who is a professional photographer.


The following information is from Bob at Graphics Factory. One of his printers is an Epson 9880, 44", 8-color, Ultrachrome inks, archival.

Pricing runs: 16x20=$15.50, 20x30= $30.00. Plus you can use your own profiles, they uses Macintosh and color space, such as Adobe RGB 1998, etc.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Brian Stone,

I've used The Graphic Factory and have had excellent prints. Bob's an easy guy to work with too.

The number given for Ford PhotoMedia is operating (when somebody is there to answer the phone - please be patient). However, the new outside phone number is: 313.271.8337.

You are responsible determining prices, not me. You're also responsible for determining value.

Unfortunately, Paul Bury, a excellent photographer and supervisor, is no longer with Ford. The latest name for Ford PhotoMedia is "VIS," which is an outside Company operating visual services and the archives. Apparently, significant changes are continuing at Ford.

I can also vouch for Bob at the Graphics Factory in Royal Oak. They are located at 4th and Main on the second floor above Caribou Coffee. (Warning: the only way up is a steep staircase!) Pricing is very fair and he can mount prints on a various substrates.

Does Costco do photo books, comparable to the ones offered by Apple/iPhoto & some other online photo services (Shutterfly comes to mind)?

I went to Costco's photo site, but apparently a login account is required just to see what they offer.

- Would like to work up a collection of old family photo scans.

P.S. - Terry, your blog is very informative & helpful.