Regarding Digital Minilabs - DPChallenge Forums

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

09/22/2005 05:36:49 AM · #1

Hi
I get my prints from a great lab which has Fuji frontier mini lab and another lab that has Noristu. i always get a print on a Kodak Royal Matt paper.
I just wanted to try some new paper and asked them can i give them paper from my side they refused saying we print on a roll of sheet and than that sheet is cut into size you specified i.e 5x7 , 8x10, 8x12.

I just wanted to know , is there no possiblity of buying different 8x10 size paper.I just want to experiment with different paper or there is no possiblity because minilabs only use roll of paper

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

09/22/2005 05:49:22 AM · #2

It's very unlikely they'll accept your paper, or that any true mini-lab will. It's an interruption of workflow in a business that equates efficiency with profit. Even assuming they can print to sheets (many cannot without resetting their machines), it's still a matter of needing to establish a "paper profile" for the paper you give them. Understand, every paper requires a different setting on the priner for optimum results.

I use an Epson large format printer at home, and every time I try a new paper Ineed to download and install a new paper profile for the printer to use.

Another issue is that not all papers are "inkjet-safe"; some of them, especially certain art papers, leave a trail of lint behind that can mess up inkjets big-time.

So, in a nutshell, asking your lab to use your paper is asking quite a lot. If you use a mini-lab that's part of a camera store where you do a lot of buying, and if you establish a good personal relationship with the owner, then custom printing becomes a slightly more feasible option.

Robt.

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

09/22/2005 06:01:45 AM · #3

You will find it is the operatop not the machinery that makes the diffence.
Having said that I think that the fuji frontiers are streets ahead of anything else.

All my work is done on a frontier by Paul bright, who would be one of our countries best printers and his work is amazing and reasonably priced.

So for all you kiwis out there you should try Bright photo lab at Waikanae :)

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

09/22/2005 07:45:29 AM · #4

The Fuji and Noritsu mini labs do not "print" on regular paper like a printer. They use special photographic paper that has an emulsion layer that is exposed to light, and then developed using a chemical process, just like film. So the fact that they use roll paper is only one issue.

Nuno

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

09/22/2005 08:03:48 AM · #5

I love Fuji monilab. The qalaty of qualaty mate paper from Fuji just can't be beaten.

blemt

Nikon D70

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Nikon

09/22/2005 08:15:35 AM · #6

Best bet if you want to try out different finishes is to check with labs that take work online. See what papers/options they offer.

09/22/2005 09:49:35 AM · #7

Thanks everyone for replying. Well i am happy with print quality , paper is nice .
I knew that it would be difficult for minilab operator to accept paper i give because i knew concept of paper profile.

I felt since i did good business with him he could maybe make an exception and go out way for me and print on paper i give him.

I was not aware that paper on which minilabs print comes in form of roll of sheet.

I just want to experiment and see if prints look different if i use paper other than Kodak Royal.

How long is the roll in meters. There must be some differnt variety of paper other than say Kodak Royal.

Is there any place i can find more on Paper for Digital Mini Lab.
BTW what Price do you pay in US$ for 5x7 and 8x10.
I pay 25cents for 5x7 and 1$ for 8x10.

I once printed 8x10 through a Photography Lab that only deals with Professional and small labs .They charged me just 25 cents for 8x10

Message edited by author 2005-09-22 09:56:27.

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

09/23/2005 09:07:58 AM · #8

bump

Matthew

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/23/2005 09:36:26 AM · #9

I pay about Â£4, $7 US, for an 8x10 on 3 day processing using a Noritsu 2401 (I think - 400dpi exposing photographic paper digitally) onto Kodak Royal or the Fuji archive/crystal paper. Price rockets to Â£8 ($14 US) for 1 hour processing at that size.

I would like to find a cheap online printer who will accept the instructions that I normally give my local mini-lab verbally (ie don't crop or adjust any settings when printing my image).