Professional Photo Lab vs Consumer Lab
In one corner, we have the “consumer labs”: Costco. Shutterfly. Snapfish. Walgreens. Everyone knows their names and gives them a casual high five.
And in the other, we have the exclusive “professional labs”. Few know their names outside of the industry, but when they walk in to the arena, you know they’re important. They turn heads. They hold your gaze. These are the elite guys, fine tuning their game while the consumer labs say “good enough” and call it a day.
They’re squared off now and the question is, who is better?
When hiring me as your Los Angeles Photographer, I provide you with retouched digital images AND direct access to one of America's top photography labs. In fact, I give you free money to use there and everything ships directly to you.
But, in addition to print credit, you also have the digitals.
So, what’s the difference between consumer photo labs and professional labs?
Are they cheaper? Yes.
Is it the same? Absolutely not.
Hey, if you want to print your photoshoot images in the same place you get your toilet paper and laundry stain remover, you can. But you should know the differences.
#1. COLOR ACCURACY
This is by far the most noticeable.
Photographers have a trained eye when it comes to colors and take great care in preserving details. Professional photo labs have experienced technicians that understand this and process photos accordingly. In fact, my own computer is calibrated exactly to my photo lab’s specifications. This makes sure that what I provide, and what they create, will match.
Take a look at the big variety of differences on these 4x6 prints compared to the original. Notice how in Target’s print, the bright spots (highlights) are too bright. CVS and Costco versions have a red tint that wasn’t there. The ones by Snapfish and Amazon have an over-exposed all the mid-tones giving it a dull and washed out look.
Compilation by Tonya Cruser
This isn’t about “liking” one color version over the other. These aren’t Instagram filters. This shows how inaccurate consumer labs are in taking what a professional captured, and materializing it correctly. Mpix has the closest match, and that’s because Mpix is the “retail” version of Miller’s Lab which is a highly regarded professional imaging lab. It’s retail version is not the same caliber as the lab for photographer’s, but it’s close!
Below is a color comparison on a Metal Prints. To those local to Los Angeles, comparison can be viewed in person in my studio. Notice how the consumer lab has a yellow color tone that shouldn’t be there.
Choosing my professional photo lab means the quality of images you've come to expect of me will translate accurately into your printed artwork and won't be degraded by a "one size prints all" mass production printer.
#2. PRINT QUALITY
Bolder. Sharper. Richer.
This makes me think of coffee, or wine, or chocolate. You can get all three at 7-11. But is that your go-to when you want “the good stuff"? When it matters? I didn’t think so. Such is the same with the richness of prints.
What matters in the print quality in addition to color accuracy, is the machine and the chemicals; both on the paper, and in the ink. How fine the ink droplets are all play a big role in the final result.
Notice that there is a graininess present in this acrylic print from the consumer lab, that isn’t there on the professional lab’s.
Notice the lack of sharpness and added grain in the consumer lab.
Another very important point is that certain strong colors - especially red, white, and black - get overexposed and washed out when printed at consumer labs. Suddenly the lace detail on your white dress is nearly invisible, or, as in the example blow, the red tulle on the skirt just looks like one solid color and is void of texture. One part of the retouch process is maintaining desired details on clothing and this is where consumer labs fail.
Notice how in the consumer lab canvas print, all detail on the red is lost, and it is printed as just one solid color.
#3. PRODUCT QUALITY
Let me illustrate the example and let it speak for itself. Below is the ever popular acrylic print. Aside from the photo quality, which I discussed above, I also want you to note the actual construction. Notice how in the top one, the professional lab, the edges are completely clean and seamless. In the bottom one (the consumer lab) you are able to see large gaps where the paper was cut and glued.
#4. LONG LASTING
When you order print products from my associated photo lab (be it a 4x6 you'll frame yourself, or a metal wall art), your photos will be on archival quality paper and archival quality inks. Archival quality, also known as “museum quality”, is the best there is. They are produced for the purpose of "permanency", usually meaning they'll last up to 100 years. This means they hold up exponentially better to environmental degradations such as sunlight, pollution, humidity, and temperature. In short, they don’t change color or fade nearly as quickly as consumer labs. They should last your entire lifetime and then some!
FINAL THOUGHTS
These retailers have may have their place for casual printing, but it is a "you get what you paid for" situation. Photography and printing is one place where “cheaper” never equals “better”. The colors aren’t accurate, the prints will degrade quickly, and results won’t be sharp and rich.
The printed heirloom quality artwork you get through my photo lab are the final touch point of your investment in family photography. It's the part people will see on your walls and what you will pass down to your loved ones.
These photographs will outlive you. If you ask me, it is worth doing it well!
All products are in my studio for in-person comparison as well as professional product sample viewing. Contact me for an appointment.