Most photographers order prints online at some point: family prints, client albums, wall art or large exhibition pieces. Online labs range from cheap consumer services to professional labs used by wedding and fine-art photographers. Results can vary greatly depending on the lab and on how you prepare and order your files. This lesson explains how to choose a lab, prepare files to its requirements, decide on color correction options and build a reliable relationship for consistent prints.
Consumer and professional labs
| Consumer services | Professional labs | |
|---|---|---|
| Customers | General public | Photographers, studios, artists |
| Color handling | Often automatic correction | Option to print exactly as supplied |
| Profiles and specifications | Often limited information | Published profiles and detailed specifications |
| Papers and products | Basic range | Wide range, fine-art papers, mounting and framing |
| Packaging and branding | Standard | Protective packaging; often unbranded for client delivery |
The choice between home printing and labs was discussed in preparing photographs for print.
Choosing a lab
- Print quality: order test prints of your own images, including skin, shadows and gradients.
- Color management: does the lab provide ICC profiles and allow "no correction" orders?
- Papers and printing methods: chromogenic, pigment inkjet, papers that suit your work, as in ink and printing methods.
- Sizes and products: the sizes, mounting and framing you need.
- Packaging and shipping: how prints are protected and how long delivery takes.
- Support: can you speak to someone about problems?
- Privacy: how the lab handles client images and personal data, as in privacy and consent.
Color correction: on or off?
| Option | What happens | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Lab correction on | Lab adjusts brightness and color automatically or by hand | Uncalibrated screens, casual prints |
| Lab correction off (print as supplied) | Lab prints your file exactly | Calibrated workflows where you have soft proofed |
Tip:If you calibrate and soft proof with the lab's profile, choose "no correction". Otherwise the lab may change your carefully edited colors.
Preparing and ordering
- Read the lab's file requirements: color space, file type, size limits and resolution.
- Download the lab's profiles and soft proof, as in soft proofing and preparing for print.
- Crop to the exact print proportions so the lab does not crop for you, as in export settings for print.
- Apply output sharpening for size and paper, as in resolution, dimensions and output sharpening.
- Name files clearly with size and paper information.
- Order a small test print before large or bulk orders.
- Check prints on arrival in good light, as in proofing and print evaluation.
Building a relationship
Consistency comes from staying with a lab you trust. Keep notes of which papers, profiles and settings work, keep reference prints, and report problems clearly with examples. Many professional labs offer calibration help, sample packs and discounts for regular customers.
Common mistakes
- Leaving auto-correction on after careful editing: colors change unexpectedly.
- Ignoring the lab's specifications: wrong color space or cropping.
- Switching labs often: inconsistent results.
- Ordering large prints without a test: costly surprises.
How professionals use labs
Professional photographers usually work with one or two trusted labs, calibrate their screens, soft proof with lab profiles, order with no correction, and keep reference prints. For client orders, they choose labs with protective, unbranded packaging and reliable delivery, and they check samples regularly to make sure quality stays consistent.
Practical examples
Prints that look different from the screen
- Situation
- A consumer service makes your moody portraits brighter and more saturated.
- What to do
- You switch to a professional lab, soft proof with its profile and order with no correction.
- Why it works
- Automatic correction changed your intended look.
- Result
- Prints that match your calibrated edit.
A wedding album order
- Situation
- You need 40 prints and an album for a client.
- What to do
- You order a small test of five key images first, check skin tones, then place the full order.
- Why it works
- A test catches problems before an expensive order.
- Result
- Consistent, client-ready prints.
Key points
- Consumer services often auto-correct; professional labs offer profiles and print-as-supplied options.
- Choose labs by quality, color management, papers, products, packaging, support and privacy.
- Turn lab correction off when you calibrate and soft proof with the lab's profile.
- Follow file requirements, crop exactly, sharpen for output, name files and test first.
- Build a relationship with a trusted lab for consistent results.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a photo lab?
Should I turn off lab color correction?
Where do I get a lab's ICC profile?
Why do my lab prints look different from my screen?
Conclusion
Online labs can deliver excellent prints when you choose carefully, follow their specifications, control color correction, test first and build a lasting relationship. Next, you will learn how to evaluate proofs and prints.
Finished reading? Track your progress through Printing and publishing.