Source Needed print/matte

[Harvey Moore]

Until I decide to get into the printing end of this hobby, I need a source for having fine art prints made and mounted/matted.

Can anyone recommend a good web source to have this done?

Info will be greatly appreciated

[Don Lashier]

Haven't used them myself but a friend has and I haven't heard anything but the best about them. They have an excellent reputation.

http://www.westcoastimaging.com/

- DL

[Nicolas Claris]

Bonjour Harvey

My lab would be of no use for me as the're in Bordeaux, that wouldn't be that easy for you !

However, I would like to point out that, using a professional Lab for your printing (the way I do) instead of fighting with printers, may be of great help and time saving.

You would need to set-up a workflow with them (color profile, DPI etc.).
But the Lab doesn't do it all, the person in charge of the printing MUST know you and the kind of prints you like (warm, light, kind of paper, etc.)
In the old days photogs had a very priviledged relationships with their "printing man" ("tireur" in French), hence they had very rarely bad surprises.


BTW: Using a local Lab may also keep some chance for them to survive, thus keeping life in our towns and cities that tends nowadays to have only Banks and restaurants in our streets.

I wish you the very best with your upcoming prints!

[Harvey Moore]

Hello Nicolas

I agree with your comments, but alas, my city here is small, and there are no local printers that do inkjet fine art. I would happily support a local operation the way I do the two camera stores within driving distance. They usually compromise pricing for enough me to stay local. Years ago when I did product and advertising work in film, I used a local lab that was accustomed to my styles. Last time I visited the city where I lived then, they were no longer in business. Sad commentary that proves your point.

I laughed at your bank and restaurant remark. Add in City and County government offices and it describes my town.

btw, I admire your work with marine photography very much

Harvey


.....You would need to set-up a workflow with them (color profile, DPI etc.).
But the Lab doesn't do it all, the person in charge of the printing MUST know you and the kind of prints you like (warm, light, kind of paper, etc.)
In the old days photogs had a very priviledged relationships with their "printing man" ("tireur" in French), hence they had very rarely bad surprises.

BTW: Using a local Lab may also keep some chance for them to survive, thus keeping life in our towns and cities that tends nowadays to have only Banks and restaurants in our streets...

[Nicolas Claris]

Bonsoir Harvey
Thanks for the kind words, always apreciated!

Back to Lab, I do understand your point... In fact my Lab in Bordeaux do a lot of "small" prints for me with their Frontier (10'x 15') and some larger when I need Inkjet/fine art print.
But when I do need large Lambda prints, I send it to their mother company in Paris (DUPON), where I do have one guy that knows perfectly my wishes.

Paris is quite far (3 hours high speed train - 6 hours car drive) so I put the file on my FTP server and I get the print in Bordeaux between 2 to 3 days... not that bad...

BTW we do also have a lot of City and County government offices ;-))

[Kathy Rappaport]

I am just back from the WPPI tradeshow in Las Vegas. I almost had an overweight suitcase but if you give me a day or two, I can list almost all of the labs and what they can do.

I have been useing Mpix.com but not sure what they do is what you want. Miller's is their big affiliate for larger quantities.

[Harvey Moore]

Hello ChatKat

I currently use mpix for some personal and occasional paid work.

What I am looking for is a source for inkjet fine art prints, and also mounting and matting services.

Looking forward to your list

Thanks

harvey

[Kathy Rappaport]

I am the new librarian - unofficial- and resource center for our OPF members. I only brought home about 30 lbs of paper - flyers, catalogues, adverts and other "junk" regarding anything you as a photogapher might have the ability to use from WPPI.

Print Labs (I only took literature from a few) - this list is not comprhensive:

www.whcc.com - White House Custom Color - does fine art and mounting

www.bayphotopro.com - I only glanced at the paperwork but they fine art and mount

www.collages.net

www.millerslab.com/services/ - This is the pro side of Mpix.

Hope that helps!

[Harvey Moore]

Thanks ChatKat