Good commercial printing lab for amateurs?

I prefer to not do my own printing, but I would like to have prints made of some of my photographs.

Some of these would be casual 4X6 or 5X7 images intended to be passed from hand to hand, and some would be 8X12 or 16X20 images to be hung on walls. My volumes would be way less than what a professional wedding or event photographer sends to a lab, so the lab has to be able to treat low-volume customers decently.

What printing labs would those more experienced with labs recommend for my purposes?

Thanks!

I've used Adaroma with good results.

Some good recommendations here: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-485346-1.html

Hank Radt said:

Some good recommendations here: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-485346-1.html

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Great link, lots of good recommendations and advice. Thank you.

I had 3 5x7s and 1 8x10 of great sentimental value right before Christmas that had to be done for gifts in special framing. The framer in the store suggested an imaging house in town and I was headed there to get them done from a flash drive. On the way though I stopped by my printer to pick up some new business cards and asked him the same question and his opinion about the recommendation. He said no they had the same high quality digital printing machine same as him and it would not be as good as actual photo printing equipment and recommended CVS. (no mocking now) ;-)

Since there's no more photo lab businesses in town and no time to send out I went to CVS and in about 10 minutes total entry and processing time this big machine pushed out the 4 prints in semi-gloss that I had selected and they were actually quite perfect and true to what I had done from raw files in PS. I have no doubt after seeing the 8x10 that I could have gone somewhat larger .... and these were shot with my little 16mp NEX 5N under low light conditions with some bright illumination happening from a hotel light down by the surf about 6 years ago. With my high resolution A7r II and now III that just arrived I'm sure 16x20 and larger ought to look great. Quite lovely prints all for just under $10. In 10 minutes. Who knew? I do now.

chironNYC said:

I prefer to not do my own printing, but I would like to have prints made of some of my photographs.

Some of these would be casual 4X6 or 5X7 images intended to be passed from hand to hand, and some would be 8X12 or 16X20 images to be hung on walls. My volumes would be way less than what a professional wedding or event photographer sends to a lab, so the lab has to be able to treat low-volume customers decently.

What printing labs would those more experienced with labs recommend for my purposes?

Thanks!

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For nice pictures that I want to display at larger sizes (8 x 10 and up), I've used Mpix. They always do a nice job, and the prints are noticeably better than what I get back from Shutterfly and similar services.

That said, for casual 4 x 6 prints of my kids and such, I will use Shutterfly. They'll often have a 101 prints free promotion. All you have to do is pay $8 shipping. I don't think the prints look as nice as Mpix, but you can't beat the price.

In malaysia I use Photobook Worldwide very extensively for all my printing and photobooks. I purchase their coupon with discount above 50%. Their services for small volume printing is very good.

Costco with their big Fuji printers.

I've used Kodak Pro Photo on Broadway between 93rd and 94th in Manhattan. Sometimes they apply auto sharpening (too much, IMO) and auto color so if you don't want anything to change from your files, specify that. When in doubt, esp. for larger prints, ask for Oral. He's the best.

I imagine most quick labs also do auto sharpening and color, so if you're picky about even small prints, that can be a problem...

I've also heard good things about Color House on Lafayette St., in downtown Manhattan, but haven't used them myself. They do a lot of film processing as well, and that may be their strength.

I have been using www.ezprints.com for 15+ years.

rjenson said:

Costco with their big Fuji printers.

https://www.costcophotocenter.com/Home

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That was what I first asked the custom framing guy .... I shouldn't just go to Costco ... right? and he said no. Then when I was at my printer's shop who said go to CVS I asked if Costco was the same type of equipment and he said yes. Don't know if he's right and that's true with CVS but their parking lots aren't nightmares at least.

I've done a few large canvas prints with Costco and I've been 100% happy. I'll be picking up my first metal print from them this week. For their in warehouse prints, make sure that you are color managed front to back.

Whoa. Costco is offering metal prints now? I've been interested in maybe doing one ever since I've seen my first few. I will have to check out their prices. Wonder who they are farming those out to if that is the case?

Maybe you could post when you have it and let us know how well it turned out?

EDIT .... Just did a search on line and came up with this thread here at DPR. Will definitely read through it.