Time to print some big pics. Tips?

[Homebrew]

So I'm finally starting to take some pictures worth printing and keeping. Not art stuff, mostly event stuff and maybe a nature shot or two. Anyways, a picture I took of an event at a local bar I wanted to print in large (20ish by 24ish) and very high quality (a larger and modestly post-processed version of this in case anyone cares). I wanted it to display nicely in a frame behind glass. So I went to a local high-end printing place (Duggal) and wow did they ever do an unbelievable job! The photo really pops, the matte colors are fantastic and the thing looks like it'll last forever. Truly a professional-quality print.

But it was almost 90 bucks. And that was after they gave me a pity "are you kidding me?" discount. I got the distinct impression that I was the only person ever to walk in there who wasn't either photographing or dating supermodels (one of their example works was of U2).

I did a search for some of the terms I heard there (c-print, lightjet, Chromira) and I didn't learn much. I tried to search the tutorials on the main page and also no joy.

How do pros print their photos, particularly the large ones? Surely the top end people aren't using a regular inkjet of the kind I can afford; likewise most pros or semi-pros can't afford all the cool toys for the occasional professional-quality print. So for us guys, what do we look for in a photo printing business? What can we expect to pay for top-notch quality prints? Where for you is the sweet spot between home-quality inkjet and oh-geez priced super-high-end prints?

[aropilot]

Okay, I'm not pro but I do like to have a few of my pics around, hanging on the wall for all my non visitors to see....

I have entered pics into contests as well and believe it or not, I get my photos printed at Costco. The quality is right up there. I've got some amazing 18x24's from them and no one can tell. I even go to Micheal's, the art supply store when they are having inventory close out sales to get my frames. I've gotten $25 frames for $6. I buy 10 or so to keep me supplied thru the year until the next sale. And, (I hope non of my family members are reading this) come holidays etc. a framed pic as a gift, it sure is inexpensive but gives a high dollar look.

[zona5101]

Check some of the on-line labs. You may find some better pricing. Also if you do enough printing you can look into setting up a commercial acct with a lab that may afford you some additional discount. Probably not as cheap as the Costco/Wagreens route but there are tradeoffs in quality/variety in that direction.

[nicotine]

Originally Posted by aropilot

Okay, I'm not pro but I do like to have a few of my pics around, hanging on the wall for all my non visitors to see....

I have entered pics into contests as well and believe it or not, I get my photos printed at Costco. The quality is right up there. I've got some amazing 18x24's from them and no one can tell. I even go to Micheal's, the art supply store when they are having inventory close out sales to get my frames. I've gotten $25 frames for $6. I buy 10 or so to keep me supplied thru the year until the next sale. And, (I hope non of my family members are reading this) come holidays etc. a framed pic as a gift, it sure is inexpensive but gives a high dollar look.

Agreed, Costco is great for printing pictures. My only gripe I've had is that sometimes the cutting is not straight but the colors look great and the quality is good.

[Car2n]

Originally Posted by aropilot

I even go to Micheal's, the art supply store when they are having inventory close out sales to get my frames. I've gotten $25 frames for $6. I buy 10 or so to keep me supplied thru the year until the next sale.

Michaels has their frames on sale about every second week. If you go there and they don't have a sale on, go back the next week and enjoy 40 or 50% savings.
I buy all my frames (and mats) there but never at full price.
Funny story, When I first started framing my shots I went to Michaels and low and behold they had a sall on. OMG, I bought about $900 worth of frames on sale for about $500. Now I know that there's always a sale,,,,

[Homebrew]

Thanks, all. That's helpful, especially the part about cheap frames. I'm relieved that I don't have to go to a super-expensive place for the prints. Do you know what kind of equipment Costco has -- there's not a Costco convenient to me but if a Fedex Kinkos or someone uses the same stuff I can go there. Also, do you generally bring a camera RAW file, a jpeg file or a Photoshop-format file?

[Car2n]

Originally Posted by Homebrew

Also, do you generally bring a camera RAW file, a jpeg file or a Photoshop-format file?

Always a jpg
preferably in sRGB format

[PomND]

learnt some good tips and information, thanks everyone.

i just wanted to query what Car2n said. I work in graphic design and whenever printing ANYTHING it's printed in CMYK and the art files are all worked in sRGB on the computer and converted to CMYK before printing.

Does anyone else agree with Car2n? if so I will try it for a few photos and compare it to my usual CMYK stuff.

[OsmosisStudios]

If it was $90 just for the print, that's a bit on the high side, but it's not uncommon. If it was $90 for the print and a frame, then you got a steal.

[rikkersc]

I use Costco for most of my prints, but if I want something a little extra, I use Mpix.
Costco does a great job, though and I have no complaints with them.
I have one 5 minutes from my house, but find it a hassle to take the shots in and wait for the processing, so I do it online.
You can do it online and have it ready to pick up in an hour or you can have them mailed to you. You don't even have to be a Costco member to do prints online.
This works out great for snapshots and such when I want to send them to friends and family, I just put in their address and the prints appear at their door!
If you use Mpix, they also offer framing and coatings and all the "bells and whistles". Although, I have never used them for anything besides the actual print. They also have wonderful color and quality. Their shipping is awesome and always arrives in excellent packaging to keep the photos in mint condition.