Are there any good print labs out there??

[LJR]

This is really frustrating me.

I am processing images from RAW in Aperture and Photoshop. I use AdobeRGB 1998 colour space and do all my adjustments on a calbirated monitor (calibrated using Huey Pro). My home prints on premium photographic paper look great.

I have used a couple of print labs now but each time I receive my prints they are considerably darker than my on screen proofs and even my home prints. The last lab I used was Photobox but again the images came back seemingly 0.5 to 0.75 under exposed.

Can anyone either recommend a good print lab or give me some guidance on what I might be doing wrong?

Thanks

 

[pxl8]

1) Stop using AdobeRGB, or at least convert to sRGB before sending images for printing. Labs expect sRGB and don't colour manage.

2) What monitor are you using? The Huey doesn't calibrate to a particular luminance target and it's very likely that your monitor is set far too bright. Most monitors now have a luminance of around 300cdm2 but to match a print you need it to be around 130cdm2 depending on ambient light level.

 

[Hacker]

I'd agree with pxl8 and change your settings to sRGB, I'd also recommend Loxley Colour based in Glasgow, excellent products and customer service.

 

[LJR]

Guys - Thanks!! I appreciate the advice. I have now changed my images for the print labs to sRGB and have just sent an image for an A3 print with RGB-tech. They seem pretty on the ball. I'll also try Loxley Colour and do a comparison.

You're right about not being able to set the luminance but I have set the monitor for D65 and Gamma 2.2. Not sure how I can test to know when it's 130cdm2. Question is though why are the prints from my photo printer pretty authentic to the on screen image if the problem is the brightness? The lab images are much darker and flat. I have a feeling it's the fact they were set to AdobeRGB. We'll soon see.

Thanks again!!!

 

[BobR]

I'd agree with pxl8 and change your settings to sRGB, I'd also recommend Loxley Colour based in Glasgow, excellent products and customer service.

Loxley are very good at both printing and also the customer service side is excellent.

 

[LJR]

I'm sending the same image I sent RGB-tech now so I can do a comparison.

Thanks for the recommendations. I should have asked for those before I tried any labs

 

[Colland]

Have to say we use Loxley and have done for a couple of years now and the print quality is second to none...certainly worth setting up an account with them and the ROSES software is a winner

 

[LJR]

Yup. Ordered an A3 print from them. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out

 

[LJR]

Prints from both RGB-tech and Loxley Colour arrived today. I am SO pleased with them!! I couldn't separate which were which between the two companies (probably using the same equipment) and so either are great labs to deal with. The customer service for both were absolutely top notch, with RGB doing the print for free upon realising that I was getting them done for reasons of comparison and Loxley responding really quickly to a query I had on the ROES tool.

For ease of ordering I would say that Loxley takes the cake as there is a bit of fiddling about to do with RGB, especially the first time you order. However, like I say, there's nothing between the two in terms of quality for the type of A3 prints I went with.