Buyers’ guide PermaJet › permajet.com PermaJet’s paper range is second to none, and it also sells Canon and Epson inkjet printers, ink cartridges and colour management kits. Training courses will help you hone your skills. We don’t have space to go through the myriad options – and PermaJet offers up sample packs. You could take the fibre-based baryta route: FB Gold Silk 315 and FB Distinction 320 are two of our favourites. If you like a more contemporary approach, the digital photo range includes the ever-popular Oyster 271. Double-sided papers, postcards and greeting cards are featured.
Hahnemühle › hahnemuehle.co.uk
Hahnemühle’s current Digital FineArt range caters for all tastes. Whether you like a traditional photo finish or prefer to get arty, there’s something here. In the Hahnemühle Photo collection, Photo Gloss Baryta 320 offers a look reminiscent of darkroom silver halide papers. If that is a result you’re fond of, there are four more baryta papers in the Glossy FineArt family – alongside lustre, pearl and matte finishes, too. The brand is keen to promote its sustainability credentials with the award-winning Natural Line. Available in four types – agave, bamboo, hemp and sugar cane – this range is made from plants that require minimal maintenance, do not need pesticides and grow rapidly, so demand less water. All four papers are matte, but each has its own surface characteristics. Go for a sample pack to check their potential.
Generic ICC profiles are available for free download and there’s the offer of free custom profiling for PermaJet inkjet and canvas products. If you need help, an interactive support service allows a PermaJet expert to take control of your computer and make sure you are set up, while explaining what’s going on over the phone. PermaJet has recently added four papers to its Heritage range: Baryta Rag 310, Smooth Rag 310, Watercolour Rag 310 and Etching Rag 310. There is a first test on the quartet in this issue and they will be on sale from October.
WhiteWall › whitewall.com
A downloadable ICC profile is available, so you can soft-proof images before finalising. WhiteWall’s repertoire is amazing. There are no fewer than five metal print services and the same number for acrylic. This includes Masterprint, a unique service for prints up to a massive 500x240cm mounted on a single piece of acrylic glass.
A serial award-winner, including TIPA’s best photo lab worldwide on four occasions, WhiteWall’s line is outstanding, with all bases covered. If you need standard prints, giclée prints, coffee table books or something in the Fine Art range, this is the lab to check out. The website is excellent: easy to navigate, with benefits and available options fully explained.
One Vision Imaging › onevisionimaging.com
Looking for an award-winning commercial printing outfit offering an extensive range of services, fast ordering flexibility and value for money? One Vision Imaging has the lot, from acrylic prints and books, to photo collages and wall displays. For photo prints, the range goes up to 40x30in at £44.77 and 40x20in pano at £29.84. Square prints are here, too, priced at £33.58 for 30in. If fine art output is your goal, giclée printing is available on Hahnemühle and PermaJet papers, with sizes up to 60x40in. As a guide, an A3 print is £14.11. New to its range are Halo Circular prints. With three options – framed, dibond and chromaluxe aluminium – the last two provide circular images. A 16in dibond print is £66 and it comes ready to hang.
DS Colour Labs › dscolourlabs.co.uk
A UK pro lab with a long history, DS Colour Labs prides itself on high-quality output, competitive pricing and super-quick turnaround. Order through its standard service before 1pm (Monday to Friday) and your prints will be dispatched the same day. A complete range of services is on offer, from standard and large format prints to photo books, gifts such as jigsaws, mouse mats and calendars, plus wall decor. The array of fine art display options is impressive, with aluminium, acrylic and canvas. Find a host of ways to turn images into artwork. Finally, there’s colour print, colour slide and black & white film processing, plus image transfer – from cine and video into digital formats – as well as prints, slides and negatives.
Chau Digital › chaudigital.com
Chau Digital provides printing services, as well as retailing printers and media for at home. The company is London-based and its experts are happy to help creators ensure their results have the detail, colour saturation and contrast required. Prints are outputted on canvas, photo paper or watercolour paper, from brands including Da Vinci, Epson, Harman and Ilford.
Digitalab › digitalab.co.uk
Simlab › simlab.co.uk
Acclaimed pro lab Digitalab has been delivering first-class services to photographers for over 70 years. Its impressive selection covers all bases, from fine art, large format and standard printing, to every manner of stunning presentation methods – with numerous wall art and framing styles. For its pro print service, with sizes up to 18x12in at £7.32 and 36x12in panoramic at £22.99, next-day turnaround is available if orders are in by 1pm. Albums are a big part of Digitalab’s portfolio. These are perfect as something smart to show off your work to family and friends, lavish coffee table tomes, or newborn and wedding mementos.
Simlab has a long track record of great service. Its current offering is extensive enough – and competitively priced. An A3 standard print is £1.26 plus carriage. The upload process is clearly explained and user-friendly. Find canvas and acrylic printing, with a wide selection of mounting and presentation services available.
26 Photography News | Issue 101
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