Quick Question - Where to get photo prints in JHB

[fxit_man]

Hi guys

So I just wanted to ask a quick Q:

Where do you guys get your photo's printed in JHB (on photo paper).

Looking at poster size - A2/A3 etc. and on more of a matte type of finish (not sure what types you get out there). Semi-gloss perhaps too? It's a night picture so it has some blacks in it that I don't want to reflect light.

I called up a few guys and got loads of different prices ranging from e.g. for A3 - R12 to R99 :wtf:

Some guys also sounded really unprofessional, and excuse my ignorance if i'm wrong, but he wanted me to convert the image to PDF first for printing?? Surely that will lose quality?

Also a lot of places didn't really want me to bring the images in RAW, or even JPG!?

So what do you guys typically pay, and where do you get it done (somewhere professional please!). I don't mind paying a tad bit extra as long as I feel they are confident in what they are doing.

 

[guest2013-1]

Most printers I know of take PDF only, but I'm talking about magazine publishers, not your "I want a big photo of grandma for my mantel" type stuff. Have you tried a normal Kodak copy place?

 

[fxit_man]

Most printers I know of take PDF only, but I'm talking about magazine publishers, not your "I want a big photo of grandma for my mantel" type stuff. Have you tried a normal Kodak copy place?

LOL. It's not of my grandma, promise I haven't no, wanted to get some recommendations from here first, but rather suprisingly there are none.


So no one prints their photos here? Hmm odd

 

[Venomous]

not prints that big, no.

Will ask someone tomorrow that might be able to help. & let you know if they can help.

 

[fxit_man]

not prints that big, no.

Will ask someone tomorrow that might be able to help. & let you know if they can help.

Haha A3 is not thaaat huge

Thanks, appreciate it!

 

[bwana]

Some guys also sounded really unprofessional, and excuse my ignorance if i'm wrong, but he wanted me to convert the image to PDF first for printing?? Surely that will lose quality?

PDF is perfect for this sort of thing.

Typically the large format printers use CMYK instead of JPG - if you can convert it yourself you'll be able to see what is out of gamut and correct it yourself rather than relying on their automated process.

Also a lot of places didn't really want me to bring the images in RAW, or even JPG!?

Nobody would want you to bring in your RAW file - RAWs are unedited and would look pretty bleh.

 

[fxit_man]

PDF is perfect for this sort of thing.

Typically the large format printers use CMYK instead of JPG - if you can convert it yourself you'll be able to see what is out of gamut and correct it yourself rather than relying on their automated process.

Nobody would want you to bring in your RAW file - RAWs are unedited and would look pretty bleh.

I prefer the look of some RAW's to the JPEG counterparts processed on the DSLR. I understand RAW is more "raw" i.e. better for editing, but sometimes the look of the "raw" RAW file is what I want

Guess I'll just convert the image to CMYK in PS, and then save as PDF.

Thanks.

Still, no one has any recommendations on where to get this done?

 

[bwana]

I prefer the look of some RAW's to the JPEG counterparts processed on the DSLR. I understand RAW is more "raw" i.e. better for editing, but sometimes the look of the "raw" RAW file is what I want

Then export it that way.

Guess I'll just convert the image to CMYK in PS, and then save as PDF.

If that's the way they want it then why not.

Still, no one has any recommendations on where to get this done?

Can't help you there - I live in PE.

 

[fxit_man]

Yep. Thanks