Printing: At home or Lab

[GregL]

Just seeking a bit of advice. Do people tend to print their own prints on a printer or use a lab or chain store?

[Marko]

Right now I primarily use lab - but I plan do do some experimentation really soon with inkjet printers and different papers.

[jjeling]

At the lab. They have many printers with the latest and greatest printing technology. Although inkjet printers now have become really good, it doesn't quite match up to the 30, 40, and 50k printers they use in the labs. Plus, at my lab, you can open up an account with them, and after so many puchases, they will give you store credit to use towards anything in the store, so I get a lot of goodies that way.

[kat]

My husband and I used to have huge printers for decals and stuff. I used to be able to print off photos on almost anything, even canvas. It was really nice to have that available in my house (although never in a million years would I have been able to run the thing).

If I should ever wish to take my photography further, we may invest in a printer of that caliber again. But then again, nearest print lab is Walmart and 2.5 hour drive away. Or Don's Photo (which I would recommend to others) they've been nothing but wonderful for my orders.

[Barefoot]

If I need it quick, I do it at home on the Epson R1900. When there’s no rush I use White House Color Correction Labs (WHCC). Check them out at http://www.whcc.com/ . They offer five free 8x10s (for calibration) when you become a client.

[scorpio_e]

I am at the lab only...UNLESS I need it real fast.

I am a photographer..a light room and photoshop specialist. My head will explode if I throw in printing *LOL*

If I do not like the quality from the lab, they redo it. If I make a mistake on my home printing, it is on my dime.

To me home printing provide me with the least satisfaction from my photography. I have more time to shoot and edit my work.:)

[Marko]

Hmmm interesting. Lab for me is definitely easier but there is nothing like being in 100% control which happens most easily when you print by yourself. I have found that I have accepted lab prints that were very very good and the client is happy..and still, i felt that i could have done a better job if i printed the sucker myself.

Also most labs that i know will only print on conventional papers and have very few choices, whereas there is an amazing choice of fine art inket papers available these days.

just curious How do you like your R1900 barefoot?

[Barefoot]

"just curious How do you like your R1900 barefoot?"

Over the years I’ve owned several Epson printers. Not ever having used any other brand, I can’t make any comparisons, but I know the quality of the output for each and every one I’ve owned to be excellent. I haven’t had the R1900 for very long so I don’t really know what it will end up costing to use in the long run, but there are times when I need the ability to print at 12x18 so it was the choice I made.

[Iguanasan]

When I can print 8x10 at Costco for $1.39 I see little reason to buy my own printer.

Now, I have noticed that different labs have different results so I guess it depends on why you are printing it. Normally, most of my photography stays on my computer. In an effort to print some and to get me out doing more shooting I've started posting a "Photo of the Week" in my office. I pick one photo each week, print it off, and post it next to my desk at the office. For this, Costco is just dandy.

[AcadieLibre]

I print from home, I also have the r1900 and I find it as good and even better than some prints I get from labs. If I need anything larger than 13 by 42 I go to a printer, outside that I do all my printing at home, just find it more satisfying and I can print all I want, the cost is not bad, I use Epson 5 star paper, has an under glass life of 300 years, it is considered archival quality. Gilcee is what most printers use and it is just a fancy word for ink jet ink.

So I cannot see how a print shop can do much better. All depends on the paper and ink quality. I use prints I do at home in shows and sell them and never had anyone be able to tell I print at home. I print so much it is cheaper over the long run since I only usually do one or two prints at a time. If I need a run of over 20 of the same image I would just go to a printer. It also means I do everything from taking the photo to the final print and thats what I find satisfying.

[Mad Aussie]

I use a franchise called The Camera House where I bought some of my photographic equipment. We recently went to a lab and printed a photo that we had also got printed at Camera House. The lab was much more expensive (twice the price) and the result was identical to Camera House.

[GregL]

Thanks for the good feedback. I thought maybe more people would be printing from home. I use a lab myself, but thought 'maybe real photographers print their own!'

Iguanasan, I love the idea displaying a Photo of the Week in your office. Not sure I could get organised enough to do it every week, but I like the idea. I might try it as well. Thanks.

Marko, when you get your experimentation with inkjet printers and different papers done, you might have a topic for a podcast!

[Marko]

...

So I cannot see how a print shop can do much better. All depends on the paper and ink quality. I use prints I do at home in shows and sell them and never had anyone be able to tell I print at home. I print so much it is cheaper over the long run since I only usually do one or two prints at a time. If I need a run of over 20 of the same image I would just go to a printer. It also means I do everything from taking the photo to the final print and thats what I find satisfying.

That's the artist in you speaking, and personally I agree. It is far more satisfying to do all the work yourself...though it can be a pain in the butt when things go wrong.


...

Marko, when you get your experimentation with inkjet printers and different papers done, you might have a topic for a podcast!

Yup that's the idea and I already have really cool papers to test.:)