Any good online printing services??
Discussion
Simpo, photobox seems to crop up everywhere I've looked so will probably give them a go - just have to grit my teeth when i start uploading i guess as I'm going to end up with 500+ 7x5, plus assorted enlargements etc etc.
The only consolations I have is that I'm now qualified to apply for my clud membershit certificate and it's still probably going to cost less than my newly acquired wife spent on the bloody flowers.
The only consolations I have is that I'm now qualified to apply for my clud membershit certificate and it's still probably going to cost less than my newly acquired wife spent on the bloody flowers.
Do you guys using Photobox et al play around with the resolution of the images being uploaded? In other words, looking at the Photobox site, it appears that they use 300dpi mini-labs up to 10"x15" and 254dpi above. So do you size your image in Photoshop to be the exact dpi or just the dpi needed to get your pixel dimensions to the physical size required?
Sorry, not explained very well - hope you get the idea.
Just wondering what the best plan is to get the best possible quality out of a service like this as it's not all that cheap if you're printing reasonable sizes...
Sorry, not explained very well - hope you get the idea.
Just wondering what the best plan is to get the best possible quality out of a service like this as it's not all that cheap if you're printing reasonable sizes...
This crops up a lot here, and no doubt someone else will explain it better than me...
When working on your image on a PC, you are working in resolution of the overall image, and not the dpi. The dpi is meaningless until it's printed.
As such, and I'm happy to be corrected, it matters not a jot what dpi you save an image as.
When working on your image on a PC, you are working in resolution of the overall image, and not the dpi. The dpi is meaningless until it's printed.
As such, and I'm happy to be corrected, it matters not a jot what dpi you save an image as.
Another vote for Photobox here.
I have used them a lot lately and had probably 200 photos from them last week. Most were 10x7 but they ranged from 18x10 to 7x5. No complaints with any of them.
I upload the full image rather than resize. Partly because I am not that into the software side of things yet and partly because I don’t stick with one size when I print.
J
I have used them a lot lately and had probably 200 photos from them last week. Most were 10x7 but they ranged from 18x10 to 7x5. No complaints with any of them.
I upload the full image rather than resize. Partly because I am not that into the software side of things yet and partly because I don’t stick with one size when I print.
J
_dobbo_ said:
As such, and I'm happy to be corrected, it matters not a jot what dpi you save an image as.
You are quite right of course. Brain fade on my part I think. Must remember dpi vs ppi.
However, the general gist of my question still holds (I think
) - is there a way to get the best quality out of such a service? Or just upload the full image (resized for the right aspect ratio) and let the mini-lab do it's thing as Jenny suggest? >> Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 24th July 16:00
I normally shoot JPG Large Fine which gives files of about 2.7Mb. For exhibition prints, which obviously need to be large - up to A3 - and top quality, I use the full size versions. However, if I just wanted 5x7s I could chop them down to under 1Mb with no problem I'm sure.
The PhotoBox uploader is easy to use - just drag and drop and then watch your files uploading or make some coffee. Then select the sizes of prints you want and choose 'crop to fit' or 'shrink to fit'. That can be important!
The site is fairly complicated if you want to do more things - I've got stuck a few times in gallery admin - but tech help is very good.
The PhotoBox uploader is easy to use - just drag and drop and then watch your files uploading or make some coffee. Then select the sizes of prints you want and choose 'crop to fit' or 'shrink to fit'. That can be important!
The site is fairly complicated if you want to do more things - I've got stuck a few times in gallery admin - but tech help is very good.
LexSport said:
_dobbo_ said:
As such, and I'm happy to be corrected, it matters not a jot what dpi you save an image as.
You are quite right of course. Brain fade on my part I think. Must remember dpi vs ppi.
However, the general gist of my question still holds (I think
Ok, I sort of mis-understood your question, and didn't really answer it!
I tend to upload the full size image every time. I process a bunch of images the way I want them, then set them all queueing for an upload, then simply go off and make a cup of tea, potter about for a while, and come back later.
Since I now have 400mb of storage on Photobox, there's no shortage of space at their end. Plus any time you buy anything they give you more storage!
Only place it falls down is if your image dimensions aren't the ratio as the print options, then you have either crop or have borders.
>> Edited by _dobbo_ on Sunday 24th July 17:39
_dobbo_ said:
Only place it falls down is if your image dimensions aren't the ratio as the print options, then you have either crop or have borders.
Yes, but what else can they do?? Assuming compoition is important, choose 'shrink to fit' and cut the two wide borders off, or if framing, use mounting board to cover.
Another vote for photobox. Excellent quality prints. I did some mouse mats a few years back and they were a bit 'washed out' - just about acceptable.
Regarding proportions - I started selling only A4, A3 & A2 (obvescating the problem) - but some people shouted at me so I put 7 x 5 and 10 x 8 on - but I've chosen images that will crop reasonably well.
I have a dozen or so on there and have almost used up my 200mb - I've kept file size large in case any mugs buy A2
Steve
edited to point out that by 'mugs' I mean extremely discerning people with taste.
>> Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 24th July 18:24
Regarding proportions - I started selling only A4, A3 & A2 (obvescating the problem) - but some people shouted at me so I put 7 x 5 and 10 x 8 on - but I've chosen images that will crop reasonably well.
I have a dozen or so on there and have almost used up my 200mb - I've kept file size large in case any mugs buy A2
Steve
edited to point out that by 'mugs' I mean extremely discerning people with taste.
>> Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 24th July 18:24
GetCarter said:Are A4, A3 and A2 more 'digital orientated' print sizes then?
Regarding proportions - I started selling only A4, A3 & A2 (obvescating the problem) - but some people shouted at me so I put 7 x 5 and 10 x 8 on - but I've chosen images that will crop reasonably well.
GetCarter said:You could always buy a couple of your prints (I just uploaded a couple of images into the temporary folder and bought them) then they increase your account size.
I have a dozen or so on there and have almost used up my 200mb - I've kept file size large in case any mugs buy A2
Graham.J said:
Are A4, A3 and A2 more 'digital orientated' print sizes then?
Not really. Can't speak for Canon but the D70 is almost exactly 3:2, which is relatively 'widescreen'. 15" x 10" is more accurate, but then, most ready made frames are A4, A3 etc.
One niggle with PhotoBox is that as a Pro Gallery seller you can only choose six products, which seems odd.
simpo two said:Ah right, I bought a 10"x15" print not so long ago, couldn't find a frame in the end, so bought a bigger one and have put some white paper behind it so it looks like it's got a border.
Not really. Can't speak for Canon but the D70 is almost exactly 3:2, which is relatively 'widescreen'. 15" x 10" is more accurate, but then, most ready made frames are A4, A3 etc.
Graham.J said:
Ah right, I bought a 10"x15" print not so long ago, couldn't find a frame in the end, so bought a bigger one and have put some white paper behind it so it looks like it's got a border.
Better still, you can use some mounting board (The Range sell it cheaply) carefully cut with a Stanley knife for that professional effect.
Here are some I made earlier
>> Edited by simpo two on Sunday 24th July 19:42
simpo two said:
Only place it falls down is if your image dimensions aren't the ratio as the print options, then you have either crop or have borders.
Yes, but what else can they do?? Assuming compoition is important, choose 'shrink to fit' and cut the two wide borders off, or if framing, use mounting board to cover.
I can see how it would sound like a criticism of photobox - it wasn't meant as such - certainly it's nice to have the choice of whether to crop or shrink to fit - something other online photo places don't do in my experience.
simpo two said:
I just mean that A4, 3 and 2 are the same proportions - and I uploaded the pics in that shape.
Ah, that's the difference - you make your shots fit the frame proportions, while I crop to suit the composition and use a mount to make up the difference.
Just to point out... If I print for myself I do as you do, but for sales via photobox, I'd prefer to do the cropping at my end and keep some sort of creative control rather than leave it to photobox!
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