Printing services in Canada?

[Troyj]

I'm looking for a good printing service in Canada to offer prints through. There are tons of options in the States, but what are some good, reputable ones in Canada?

I prefer to use Canadian services, both to support a Canadian business, but also so customers don't have to pay exchange rates and deal with customs.

Thanks

[russ]

I haven't tried them, but a guy that does some portrait photography suggested Technicare Imaging in Edmonton.

[F8&Bthere]

Well I had my own reasons for giving Vistek a whirl recently- mainly the fact that I can upload photos online and then pick up the prints in south Calgary which is more convenient for me.
They have a couple locations in Calgary (the lab is downtown), one in Edmonton (not sure if Edmonton has a lab though), but they will mail/courier the prints to you wherever you are if you want. I'm not sure which part of Alberta you're at- I couldn't find that in your post history, your bio or even your website- maybe I missed it.
Anyhoo, I was very happy with the results. They offer paper upgrades on 11x14 and larger, but on my 8x10s and 8x12s they used Fulifilm Crystal Archive paper which is nothing to sneeze at. They also offer downloads of their printer profiles so you can soft proof and have everything set up "no touch" for them.
Prices were a bit higher than services like snapfish, but still quite reasonable.

[Marko]

Unlike the many services in the USA (which will deliver to Canada but shipping is nuts) where you just upload files and get back great quality (by post to your door).....I have not found any pro service like this in Canada......but PLEASE let me know of one if it exists.

{ F8????? How good is Vistek's quality and how expensive is the shipping? }


Therefore I use a local pro lab in Montreal. I can upload my files but I have to pick them up.

[zenon5940]

Therefore I use a local pro lab in Montreal. I can upload my files but I have to pick them up.

Marko, could you please reveal the name of that lab. It would be nice to know a reliable place near home where to get prints done.

Thanks.

[Marko]

But of course, the main lab I use is Yves Thomas (http://ytlab.com/english/welcome.html)
Photolab Yves Thomas Inc.
5142, rue St-Hubert, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H2J 2Y3
Phone: (514) 278-5111 Fax: (514) 278-4175
Toll free:1-877-880-5111

I also occasionally use Corlab (in Montreal Downtown on peel street near Notre Dame I believe)

Marko

[russ]

Has anyone tried the Camera Canada's ProLab? What about McBain's? Marko, which lab did you use out of the US that cost so much for shipping? The one that Zenfolio is partnered with states that there fee is something like $5 or $6 up to certain number (I think 100 but I'm not positive)

[Marko]

I never tried the US services because of shipping... when I looked (about 14 months ago) they were all very expensive. The quality though (for the bigger players - from the humungous trade show I saw in New York) was very high! The prices for reprints were very reasonable and the shipping to canada was nuts.


"Has anyone tried the Camera Canada's ProLab? What about McBain's? Marko, which lab did you use out of the US that cost so much for shipping? The one that Zenfolio is partnered with states that there fee is something like $5 or $6 up to certain number (I think 100 but I'm not positive)"Russ - can you provide links to these services for current and future visitors?

many Thx!!

Marko

[russ]

Mcbains = https://www.fotosource.com/login.html
Technicare = Welcome To Technicare Imaging (http://www.technicare.com/) (according to my friend they have labs in Edmonton, Calgary & Vancouver)
Camera Canada (Forest City Camera? London, ONT) Camera Canada ProLab - Professional Digital Printing from Wallet Size to Life Size (http://www.cameracanadaprolab.com/)

[F8&Bthere]

{ F8????? How good is Vistek's quality and how expensive is the shipping? }


Well, I don't have much for a comparison frame of reference, but I was very pleased with the quality on all 7 prints I had done by Vistek. There were 8x12s at $4.99ea and one 8x10 at $3.99, although when I look at their site today it looks like prices might have gone up in the last few weeks because now it's showing $7.99 and $5.99. I picked up mine, but when I uploaded my photos and placed the order, I saw an optional ship price of $20. Now that seemed too high which is why I opted to pick them up in Calgary but I noticed later something I might have done wrong in the order system *may* have set the shipping lab location to Toronto, so I'd say that price could be based on a boo-boo. Sorry I can't provide better info. :sorry:

[russ]

Here's a direct link for Technicare's lab Welcome To PixPortal by Technicare Imaging (http://www.pixportal.ca/)

[Marko]

Thanks for the links russ :highfive: - will check them out!

[Troyj]

I live about an hour away from Calgary, so I can't feasibly check Vistek's test prints. I've had stuff done at Vistek before, and am happy with the quality. But they are expensive, cutting into potential sales of prints. I hoped to find something cheaper...