Comprehensive Guide to Professional Photo Printing: Services, Materials, and Heritage
A photo isn't really a photo until you can hold it in your hands. Today, online photo printing services fill the void left by traditional photo huts, offering everything from standard prints to professional fine art reproductions.
The Heritage of Photographic Paper
ARCHES® special papers for photography have a long history. As early as the middle of the 19th century, BFK Rives paper was albumenised to make positive prints from negatives. This silver printing process, invented by Louis Désiré Blanquart-Evrard in 1847, uses the albumen found in egg whites to bind the photographic chemicals to the paper. In 1851, the BFK company launched its first photographic paper.
Moving into the modern era, the first photographs produced by inkjet printing date back to the end of the 1980s, with the launch of the IRIS printer, which pioneered printing on so-called “Fine Art” or “Giclée” papers. Today, ARCHES® is very proud to present its new range of papers for high-end fine art digital printing. These are the whitest papers on the market made on a cylinder mould without optical brighteners, offering:
- Excellent contrast and perfect linearity in the black and colour gradients.
- Exceptionally high Colour Gamut.
- Perfect D-max and definition.
- Exceptionally deep blacks.
Professional Printing Services and Technologies
D&B Graphics, established by Diaa & Boulos Isaac in 1986, is providing the latest technology in photographic and fine art printing. High fidelity 12 Color photographic printing, using genuine inks, ensures the highest quality results. Their specialized services include:
- Canvas Vinyl Banner Photo Printing
- Artwork Reproduction
- Large Format Printing
- Rollup Printing
- Canvas Stretching
- Slides Scanning
Utilizing the Mimaki Cutter Plotter, they achieve accurate vinyl cutting and work with various materials. They use only the most precise Japanese equipment and original inks to ensure color accuracy and stability.
Best Online Photo Printing Services
To help you choose the right provider, we have assembled a collection of photos designed to test color, tonal range, blacks, and whites. Here are the best online photo printing services we've found:
Mpix: Best for Most People. Mpix is an offshoot of Miller's Professional Imaging, and the pedigree shows: These are high-quality prints. Mpix prints on Kodak Endura paper and offers a variety of paper options, including the E-surface, which renders rich, deep blacks and very true-to-life colors.
Printique: Best for Photo Nerds. The highest-quality prints in testing came from Adorama's Printique service. You can choose a range of papers, and they're listed by their actual names like Kodak Endura or Fujifilm Matte. The colors are true to life, with rich blacks and good details in both shadows and highlights.
Snapfish: Best on a Budget. If you don't have a lot of money to spend but you still want good-looking prints, Snapfish delivers. It is less than a third of the price of top-tier services, and the results are not bad.
Comparison of Top Printing Services
| Service | Starting Price (4x6) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Mpix | 36 cents | Kodak Endura paper, simple website, high-quality prints |
| Printique | 32 cents | Professional paper options, excellent detail in shadows |
| Snapfish | 9 cents | Budget-friendly, imports from social media |
Specialized Professional Photography
In addition to printing, professional photography services cover a wide range of specific needs:
- Products Photography
- Interiors Photography
- Portraits Photography
- Documentary Photography
Whether you are looking for Fine Art Printing or Large Format Printing, using genuine inks and materials is vital for ensuring that images look exactly as intended for years to come.