Labs That Can Print w/o Cropping, Print B&W

[Sean_Reid]

I have been doing all of my commercial printing in house for quite awhile now but I will likely begin working with a lab soon for some wedding projects. I've read the recommendations for Millers and White House but wondered if anyone here deals with a lab that prints without cropping, ie: leaves a white border as needed when the aspect ratio of the file does not match that of the paper. I know that I can prep the files with white borders to size them out but that is time consuming. I've found some labs that will print some sizes that are pretty close to an uncropped 35mm ratio (ie: 4 x 6, 8 x 12, 10 x 15 and 16 x 24) but I'm wondering if anyone has dealt with a lab that will print the full frame, no matter what the aspect ratio might be. Failing that, I guess I'll try to find a lab that can print the full range of 35mm aspect prints (4 x 6 through 16 x 24). White House seems to do 4 x 6, 10 x 15 and 16 x 24 but not 8 x 12. I couldn't seem to find a print size list on Miller's sight.

Secondly, I'm curious as to what labs do well printing B&W from RGB files.

Thanks,

Sean

[RalphTomaccio]

Millers, from my experience, is really your best bet. I think you're going to find it difficult to locate a lab that will print odd paper sizes. The paper just isn't made that way, nor are the printers. The lab would have to hand trim the prints, which means a higher price, $5.00/file additional.

I know it may take a few extra seconds to extend the canvas but, there's no reason why you can't set up some actions for the various sizes you want. Then, it's just a matter of clicking one button. Or, you can batch them if you have many to do.

Millers also does a really decent job with true balck and white from digital.

[Sean_Reid]

Thanks for the reply. I'll call Millers next week with some questions. I'm not looking for the lab to use custom paper sizes but rather to print the full frame (regardless of the aspect ratio) on standard size papers. So that would mean that the border widths might not be the same on all sides of the print (which is not a problem for me at all). For example, when I print a full-frame file from my 1Ds or R-D1 onto 8.5" x 11" paper, there are thin borders on the right and left sides and then wider borders at the top and bottom. It's always been that way printing 35mm negs onto 8 x 10 paper as well, of course.

Batching the canvas is a good idea. I'll have to experiment with that.

Cheers,

Sean

[Sean_Reid]

BTW, it's very good to hear that Millers can make a good B&W print. Do you happen to know if they have 35mm-aspect papers available: ie: 4x6, 8x12, 10x15, 16x24? If not, standard paper sizes would be fine if the lab will allow full frame printing and variable border sizes.

When I'm prepping 300 or so files from a wedding for the lab, I'd ideally like to just be able to process them in sequence in C1 and then have a folder ready to go. But I suppose batching them in PS afterwards (to add the canvas) should be simple enough so long as all the files are full frame and just need to extend to a given ratio.

Cheers,

Sean

[Eric_Cable]

WHCC can print 8x12s. You just have to specify the size in the "other" catagory on the web form. I have them print 8x12s all the time.

[Sean_Reid]

Thanks Eric, that's great to know. Have you been happy with them overall? Do you know if they're able to print non-standard aspect ratios on standard papers?

Cheers,

Sean

[Eric_Cable]

Been totally happy with them for the last two years. They have yet to mess up an order, and I have most orders sent directly to clients from WHCC. In answer to the aspect ratio, I think not. Maybe in the case of a custom print, but why would you want to pay more, and, why give someone else the chance to mess it up. Try batching them into a standard size print. I am not totally understanding why you are having this issue in the first place. The aspect ratio of most cameras is 2x3, and that translates to standard sizes that most labs have available.