First time printing at photolab

[Manta]

Up 'til now I've only printed the occasional image on my home printer (HP PSC 750) and haven't bothered too much about the quality of those prints - they're sufficient for my purposes.

However, I now want to get some large prints done professionally at a photolab (maybe up to 10x8 or thereabouts) and I was seeking some advice as to settings. These are going to sound like dumb questions but they're coming from someone who has never had prints done at a lab..

Should I shoot RAW and submit the original RAW files to the lab?
Should I shoot RAW, convert to TIFF or JPEG then submit those files?
If so, what resolution should I resize to?
Is RGB okay or should I convert to CMYK or something else?
If RGB, should it be sRGB or something else?
(Ive got PSCS2 for any post-processing work required)
If shooting JPEG, what size and quality should I set in-camera to get the best final print result?
Can anyone from Brisbane recommend a good lab?

I'd really appreciate any assistance the forum members can offer.

Thanks.

[PiroStitch]

G'day Simon,

> Should I shoot RAW and submit the original RAW files to the lab?
Does the lab accept raw files?

> Should I shoot RAW, convert to TIFF or JPEG then submit those files?
It's better to submit TIFF files, 300dpi and 16 bit as these are the original settings when you convert from RAW to TIFF. Double check with the lab that they can accept this file format.

Also will you be uploading via the net or handing it in on a CD? If handing it in on a CD, then do the full festival as suggested above. If you're uploading, then I'd save them as Jpeg but with either no compression or around 85-90% compression otherwise you'll be waiting a long time uploading tiffs through.

> Is RGB okay or should I convert to CMYK or something else?
If RGB, should it be sRGB or something else?

RGB should be alright. Ask the lab what type of colour profile or settings you need to use.

(Ive got PSCS2 for any post-processing work required)
If shooting JPEG, what size and quality should I set in-camera to get the best final print result?

Set it on the highest jpeg quality and you'll be fine

> Can anyone from Brisbane recommend a good lab?

Sorry can't help you there...I'm in Melbourne

[Manta]

Thanks for the advice Piro - very helpful indeed.

[the foto fanatic]

Hi Simon, how are you?

My understanding is that Photo Continental are very good in the processing area. Perhaps you could call them and ask what parameters would give the best results.
I'm sorry, I haven't had any professional printing done from digital myself to give you a first-hand result. BTW, looking forward to some feedback from you on the BSG portrait outing. I have seen your pic "The Sentinel" on their gallery - it is very good.

See ya

[johnd]

Simon, I'm only new so just use hardly normal for my printing, but a guy I work with uses RGBDigital (http://www.rgbdigital.com.au). He has used them often even though he's in Hobart. They are in Yeerongpilly, Qld. They accept images uploaded to their web site as well as on CD etc. They do a 20" X 30" for $17.50 which doesn't sound too bad to me.

Hope this helps
Cheers
John

[Manta]

Hi Trev - I'm fine and hope you are too.

Thanks for the heads-up on Photo Continental. I suspected they may be where I should head for and, luckily, they're on my side of town too (well, sort of !)

I know my mate Steve (Griffin) spends a lot of time in that very establishment so he may have utilised their print services. If he doesn't chime into this thread I'll contact him anyway. (I think you already knew he owns and operates your avatar's opposition)

I'm looking forward to the BCG Hunt & Shoot - weren't you a member there at some stage?

[Manta]

Simon, I'm only new so just use hardly normal for my printing, but a guy I work with uses RGBDigital (http://www.rgbdigital.com.au). He has used them often even though he's in Hobart. They are in Yeerongpilly, Qld. They accept images uploaded to their web site as well as on CD etc. They do a 20" X 30" for $17.50 which doesn't sound too bad to me.

Hope this helps
Cheers
John

Gidday John - thanks for the tips. I'll check them both out.

[the foto fanatic]

I'm looking forward to the BCG Hunt & Shoot - weren't you a member there at some stage?

Not really a member, but I have been as a guest to several of their meets and outings. Haven't been able to get along in the recent past, but hope to again.

[BBJ]

Simon, it will pay to check from the Lab, i know here i took a TIFF file in and they could not do a thing with it. I shoot RAW all the time and i PP them and change to Jpeg and send them in via email for printing. Most of my sales are 12x8 and have no problems at all with jpeg at this size, i guess if you was looking at something larger then i would maybe save it as a Tiff file. But check first most labs can handle jpeg's but some other formats they might not.
Cheers
John
BBJ

[Manta]

Haven't been able to get along in the recent past, but hope to again.

Don't leave it too long Trevor.

BBJ - Thanks for the advice John.