Large format printing

[bubbawny]

Hi Folks!

Well after much learning, i've finally been able to do some home printing out of Lightroom. Man, what a hill of learning i had to climb! Spyder Pro calibration, color spaces, ICC profiles, print driver control...! It was enough to drive me to drink a few times!

So here's my latest question. i just got a GORGEOUS print on a home hobby printer of a shot I took on the Big Sur coast. It looks Fabulous if i do say so myself!

So now i want to print it large format, maybe on Canvas.

From all the learning I've done, i just don't know how to even think about approaching this.

I know what I see on my monitor matches the output of my home printer.

So my first question is:

How to I make a file ready to send to a print house?

My second question is:

What print houses do you recommend for large format printing? (I'm just guessing FedEx Kinkos won't quite cut the mustard for a wall hanging photo!)

My Last Question is:

If I want to print on Canvas, i've learned enough that it will likely change the way the output looks unless they are doing ICC profile matching. I'm worried about color shift or under-saturation issues. what are your thoughts about printing on canvas? stay away?

i basically want to hang this great looking shot in my office on my wall. I want the size to be like...BAMB! Large enough to be impressive.

i finally feel i have a photo that i'm so personally proud of that i want to show it off.

love to have some advice about how to go about this process. thanks guys!

 

[DonRicklin]

MPix.com is one worth checking out. I have only done up to 1' x 15 from them on metallic but it was an excellent print. EVen though it was from an up-rezed JPEG (General Fractals). They actually have Photoshop pros doing their processing (if you don't send them a fully rendered and prepped image). I sent a do not correct file, myself.

Don


Don

 

[Mozella]

The best bang for the buck is, IMO, at ElCo color labs. They have an on-line only special where you can get 2'x3' prints for ten bucks. They have larger sizes too. The catch is that you must order two prints, but they need not be of the same subject. At this price, they don't offer any individualized "hand holding". The file goes directly to their printer, so you have to be able to read, understand, and comply with their very good instructions. It's ain't rocket surgery, so if you can get along without talking to someone on the phone, you will be OK.

The quality is outstanding, but where they beat all the competition is when they package the prints for shipping. A beautiful print is not worth much when the USPS crushes the package and puts a crease in the print. ElCo has VERY good packaging.

 

[DonRicklin]

ElCo has VERY good packaging.

On that note MPix has very good flat box packaging, also.

Don

 

[Cryptic]

Anyone got a recommendation for the UK?

 

[Victoria Bampton]

Hi John, welcome to the forum!

Give Geoff at AB Processing a call. They're not cheap, but I've been working with them for years, and they're nice and local for you, so you can collect rather than posting.