Photography News 88 Newsletter

Printing

The finishing touch Buyers’ guide

You’ve spent a fortune on kit, painstakingly devoted time getting the shot... and just posted a masterpiece on social media? That’s a start – but your talent deserves more. If you don’t give it respect, surely no one else will. It’s time to show off your prints

permajet.com

Permajet

Permajet is the one-stop shop for photographers who are hot on their output. Its range includes everything, from large format printers, print covers and ink systems, to a massive collection of inkjet media. Whether you are an aspiring home printer, or someone already deeply committed to home printing, Permajet is the place to go. Depending on personal taste, Permajet’s FB Baryta papers are worth a try, creating output reminiscent of the wet darkroom. They’re perfect for wall prints or images you wish to sell. A test pack of 18 A4 sheets is £12.95. Permajet recently updated its range with the addition of Double Sided Lustre 295 paper. As the name suggests, this lovely paper is printable on both sides, making it ideal for greeting cards and portfolios. It combines perfectly with Permajet’s SnapShut Folio

dscolourlabs.co.uk

plasticsandwich.co.uk

Getting the perfect prints of your best pictures is one thing, but they need to be presented in a way that’s befitting, too – especially if you’re aiming to sell your photo craft. A good portfolio is about content and your skills, but it’s also a tactile experience, in print or digital form. Plastic Sandwich produces bespoke, luxurious-quality leather portfolios and tablet sleeves. Its products are handcrafted from British hides, and each is made from a single piece of top grain 3mm leather. A 10x8in print book costs £150. The portfolio displays prints in optically clear, archival polyester sleeves, using a post and screw binding system. That makes it easy to add or remove pages or images. Inner covers, portfolio bags and slip cases add to the luxurious feel and, to finish it off, you can have your name or logo debossed on the cover. Oh yes, if you want a portfolio that’s a cut above, check out Plastic Sandwich. Plastic Sandwich

system, available in sizes A5, A4, A3 and A3+, as well as various square formats. This glue-free folio system is quick to edit and shows off your prints wonderfully. Finished in a leather-effect surface and coming in two spine widths – 15mm and 25mm – prices for an A4 cover begin at £26.95, while A3 starts at £57.95.

DS Colour Labs Exploring the DS Colour Labs website leaves you nothing short of amazed. Its range of output services is awesome – whether you want a standard or poster print, wall decor or photo gifts. And it’s all available online at competitive prices. If you’re after prints, a standard A4 on glossy or lustre paper costs 70p, while an 18x12in is £1.30. For something a bit bigger, DSCL’s large format prints start at 14x14in and cost £5.50, while an A1 print is £22.99. The biggest size on offer is 49x20in at £40.99. If you prefer fine art, DSCL offers printing on Permajet and Hahnemühle papers, and these also come in a huge range of sizes, from 6x4in to 60x24in. As a guide, an A3 print is £10.99, while a 20x16in will set you back £18.99. DSCL’s matting service is definitely worth considering for frame-ready images, especially if you don’t have the skill or kit to cut your own mounts. There’s a choice of colour, as well as aperture size – the results are impeccable. These are perfect as a present, to market or for photo contests. An A4 print matted in a 40x50cm outer mount costs £11.99.

whitewall.com

WhiteWall

WhiteWall is renowned for the quality of its output – proven by three TIPA awards wins, including Best Photo Lab last year. Whether you’re looking for acrylic, metal, canvas, giclée or normal prints, WhiteWall has the option for you. A Lambda 45x30cm print on Fujifilm Crystal DP II costs £11.95, while a UHD print is £13.95 for the same size. There are plenty of options, including format – whether you want a white border, or a split image for a more creative presentation. You even get an instant on-screen preview.

WhiteWall is a constant innovator. The photo lab recently introduced RoomView, a simple process that visualises how your pictures will look in your own home. The initiative also provides tailored online advice from WhiteWall’s experts, ensuring perfect results each time. To use RoomView, you just need to provide two images: one of the room that will display your image and one of your print. Uploaded together, along with your room’s dimensions, a simple step-by-step process follows. You don’t

even have to remove any pictures from your proposed hanging space – the software does that for you. Lighting is also taken into consideration. That

gives you more time to try different sizes and finishes before making a decision, tapping into WhiteWall’s expert opinion. The process is very neat – certainly worth a go! RoomView is available on WhiteWall’s website now.

Issue 88 | Photography News 21

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