I'm getting deep into digital photography. Most of my work is tranferred electronicly via a personal web site or to relatives. When I looked into having some prints made at Wolf Photo they wanted $11 each to do it locally (maybe a LITTLE cheaper if they send them off). I dont have access to a good quality ink-jet printer. I have a good laser printer but can't find a way to make professional quality prints with it (you know, the kind on what looks like photographic paper). Anyone know of high quality paper for laser machines??

Rather than buy a second, high quality printer of the ink-jet kind, I'm thinking that It may be cheaper to just email the files to a third party and pay them to do the printing.

I accessed my old standby Seattle Filmworks that gives me digital images for a buck after they develop a roll of 35mm film the old fashioned way, but they don't work the other way (prints from digital). I did the "search engine" trick thinking that I'd turn up hundreds of such businesses, and was surprised to not find any except sone highly specialized activities like posters and gel prints.

Can anyone out there point me to some help?

What I'd like to do is to email a dozen or so shots and have someone use professional equipment to produce prints.

-- Lee Beck (lbeck@intrex.net), December 19, 1998

Answers

You could try: www.pictureprint.com It's mentioned in another forum thread I just ran across. Looks like they produce really high quality prints. Not sure about the pricing, but it might be worth it if the quality is exceptional and you have deeeeep pockets.

Personally, I'd go for a Canon or an Epson inkjet and some supplies for about the same cost as a dozen or so 8x10's. If you haven't seen what these cheap little inkjets can do, you should look. I have an 8x10", taken with my PDR-M1, printed with my 4 year old 720DPI Epson Stylus Color printer framed and hanging on the wall. I'd defy anyone to be SURE it wasn't a print from 18" away.

-- Gerald M. Payne (gmp@francorp.francomm.com), December 20, 1998.

My web site is not working right now (vendor problems) but I print images for my clients using an HP PhotoSmart printer. I can provide you with virtually any type print you may need from Glossy to Mat. Single or multiple-up. Cost varies based on size. I can/will even add frames or borders if you wish.

Would be glad to provide this service to anyone. I can also assemble them and create a CD-ROM for you if you like. Even format changes (eg. TIF to JPG, etc).

Until my site is again operable, you can contact me at this E-Mail address. Would be happy to call you to discuss.

-- Ted (ted_schwabenbauer@ameron-intl.com), December 30, 1998.