I Have Finally Found My Lab
Those of you who read my blog regularly know that I do a lot of my own in-house prints (I have an Epson Stylus Pro 3800, 2400, and a 7880), but I also send out some work to different labs (mostly wedding albums, photo books, etc.), and for those I’ve been using a number of different vendors, but I think I have finally found “My lab.”
I just got my first order back from Mpix.com, and I was just blown away with the results. I had done a mother/baby portrait shoot for my in-house book editor Kim Doty (who is, by the way, the best book editor on the entire planet), and although I had already made some prints for her, I wanted to do something really special with my favorite image of her and her baby boy (shown above), so I ordered a 16″x20″ canvas mounted print, and a similar sized gallery wrap (the difference is; the Canvas Print looks like a traditional canvas, with staples on the side and all, where a Gallery wrap continues your photo onto the side edges of the frame).
I just can’t tell you how stunning they came out! I took them around the office yesterday and everybody was just having a fit (they had already seen the image, when I did the in-house prints—it was the treatment on canvas that wow’d everybody). I also ordered a metallic print of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA, and that metallic finish made the colors just pop, which was perfect for that kind of image. I had a few prints done for the office, and I’m working on uploading them another batch this weekend (this “they do all the work” thing can get pretty addicting. Matt and Dave have both switched to Mpix now, too, and now they’re already becoming metallic print junkies).
I have actually seen the MPIX lab in person (they’re up in Pittsburg, Kansas), and I was really impressed with not only their fanatical commitment to quality, but the people there were as friendly, genuine, and proud of their role in the digital community as they could be, and that was really refreshing to see firsthand.
Anyway, I’m passing this on because I get emails all the time asking me which lab I recommend, and because I was sending my stuff kind of “all over,” I didn’t have one in particular to recommend, and well….now I do. (Note: although Mpix is a pro lab, if you’re an advanced amateur, they will let you use their lab as well).
I have been using them for about a year and i have never been disappointed! I print regular prints on them and the quality is unbelievable
I just received my first order from them this week. Loved ‘em. The metallic print is amazing. Some people I showed it to asked how I got that hologram effect on my prints but it all in the metallic paper I guess. Turn around time was very quick as well. BTW… Scott did you know that you are featured on MPix website? It is under the blog section and even has a picture. Very cool.
I have been using MPIX for about two years now for my big prints and books, and they are amazing. I have never been disappointed when I get the prints back. I think one of the best things they do with larger prints, is ship them flat. Little things like that make them great.
I also use Mpix / Millers and have for about a year now. They are great and have excellent customer service!
MPIX is king !! I have used them for over 4 years and they make passable pics pop out and turnaround time is incredible – makes my workflow a breeze
They are working on getting better photobooks – but the canvas printing is stupendous
Hi Scott,
Thanks, I will give them a try.
MIke
I can’t rave enough about Mpix. I’ve been using them (especially their metallic paper) consistently for the past two years. And not only is the quality amazing, but their service is great – case in point. A few weeks ago I ordered a large batch of prints that I needed for the following weekend. When I didnt get them in mpix’s standard (and fast) turnover rate, I discovered that I had really screwed up the address. In a panic, I contacted them immediately and within 15 minutes, my prints were found (back at mpix after being returned) and they sent them to me overnight, free of charge. Now that’s service! I’ll never use anyone else!
I was under the impression that Mpix was for the general public and Millers is their pro lab. I’ve been meaning to send an order to Millers using the software they sent me but just haven’t cut the cord from whcc yet. However, if Mpix is better than I’ll just skip Millers.
Hey scott , Could you tell me what size & file type you uploaded to them for the 16×20. I have used them before but only gotten some 8X10 prints.
Thanks
Scott, I recently tried MPIX and liked them as well. Question: Do you allow them to color correct or did you download their ICC profiles?
I’ve been using Mpix for about a year and a half. I have never had a bad order, and every order I received within 3-4 days. QUICK! My clients are always amazed at the speedy turnaround and tell others about it as well!
I have been using them for my prints, but use MyPublisher for my photo books…I’ve also been pleased with ExposureManager for sports prints.
Totally agree with you on Mpix!!!! I get my digital scrapbook layouts (which are a fairly large 12 x 12 inch size) printed from them; they arrived well-packaged so they don’t get mashed in transit, and the colors have been spot-on for me. And I usually get my stuff from them FAST! It may cost more to get my layouts printed from them as opposed to other places that do digital scrapbook layouts, but they are soooooo worth it.
I have a metallic print of a pic of bluebonnets that I did just to see what that print style looked like; the colors were just gorgeous!
I’m always excited when a package arrives from them.
It’s been said already but their Kodak metalic prints are great. They package their prints well too. I ordered a 16×20 metalic print and had to laugh at the effort required to get the thing unpackaged. Very professional.
I’ve been using them as well and have been very pleased. Haven’t tried the metallics yet, but am going to have to now.
Scott, it would be great to see your workflow for sending a photo to MPIX for printing. Which profiles you use, what resolution you use, etc.
Scott,
Can you say more about color management. Do you send them files with their ICC profile applied?
I agree with some of the other commenters, it would be great if you did a blog entry or NAPP video on your complete workflow for MPIX.
Larry
I have been using Mpix for a long time. I recently stayed up all night to build a memorial book for my wife’s grandfather who passed away. I scanned photos, edited them, and ‘built’ the photo book using Mpix software. I uploaded my book order at 3:45 am on Thursday, need books for a memorial service on Saturday. That meant Mpix would have to create the books same day (Thursday) and get them into overnight mail so I would receive them on Friday.
They did not have a comment section in the ordering process, so I immediately sent them an email after uploading my order. I went to bed, got up at 6:00am for the day, and half heartedly checked email, not expecting a response. I absolutely did not expect to receive the books in time, but they responded to my email at about 5:00am, stating that they would do their best to get the books complete and overnighted. They came through, the books (five of them) were amazing, and you would not believe the difference it made at the service…
I have always loved Mpix’s quality, but this event blew me away with regard to their customer service. They are top notch.
JD Anderson
I’ve been using MPIX.com as my online lab for a little over a year now and I’ve been extremely pleased with the results. I did a test of 5 photos with 3 different sizes and sent them to MPIX and my local favorite Shop. When I got them back I have to say that I was split with the results between the two. I liked a couple, better from one than the other – but every result was still great quality so at worst I have two options for printing – local and online. One this for certain, the ’service’ you get with MPIX from uploading to ordering to shipping and processing doesn’t get much easier.
Thanks for the tip on Mpix. I have a project for a class coming up and wanted to do a nice photo book and I wasn’t very pleased with some of the others out there. Mpix looks like it just might fit the bill, Along with their other fabulous products including the Proof porfolio. Awesome, Thank you.
Can you ellaborate on color management side of things? Do you use their ICC profiles?
Thanks!
Can you ellaborate on color management side of things? Do you use their ICC profiles?
Thanks!
Hi Scott:
I’ve been using Mpix.com for some time and found they had great results and they really packaged everything well. My customers love thier prints. One of these days I’ll be able to afford a nice Epson but for now – I just use them. They get them finished pretty darn fast too.
Cynthia
I, too, have been very happy with MPix. One note that might be useful to your readers that don’t like searching the fine print: MPix will accept large TIFF files but they recommend 8bit, sRGB files at 250 PPI. This is all that I have ever uploaded and don’t know how much variation might occur if this recommendation is not followed.
Jerry
MPix are fanastic. They have the best true color prints. The metallic paper is a must if you’ve never tried it. Plus the shipping as fast and affordable.
What do you think of the Epson P-3000?
Mpix is the everyone site, and Millers is the pro site. To get an account with Millers you must provide a state sales tax number from the state you have a registered business in. I have done that and ordered prints from Millers and paid almost 3 times the price Mpix charges and as far as I can see the quality was no better. In fact side by side you can’t tell which lab printed what. So I won’t be using Millers anymore. Also, you can’t beat their service, I sent an order in on Tue this week and opened the package tonight (Fri). I would like to see a better order interface and more flexibility (you can only order one paper per order, no mixing). But at the price it is hard to beat.
I can’t believe it. As little as I know about photography I actually found something before Scott. I have been using Mpix for almost a year, after hearing about them on “The Digital Photography Show” podcast (which Mr. Kelby has appeared on multiple times). Have ordered the prints pressed onto canvas, photo books and photo statuettes (great for the kids playing sports) and have been very happy with every result. The best part about Mpix is their customer support. They do not have a telephone number and provide customer support only via email but I have received a response in no more than five minutes every time I have contacted them. There were problems with a couple of my orders and they corrected them right away and painlessly.
I have been using Mpix for a few years. For those asking about ICC profiles and color correction, I used a low tech approach that worked fine.
I want control over my colors, but wouldn’t know what to do with their ICC profiles. So, I spent a few bucks and weeks getting a series of test prints. My monitor is profiled, and matches prints from my printer, but Mpix seems to be darker with stronger reds. I just adjusted my monitor to look like a test print, then tried another etc. till I had a monitor setting that shows what the print will look like from Mpix. The plus or minus adjustments compared to my monitor profile have served me well.
I am sure there is a better way, but I have never found clear, understandable, instructions on what the heck to do with their downloadable ICC profiles. The time and effort I wasted trying to find that information was worth more than my low tech approach cost me.
Agreed! Have been using Mpix for about two years and am never dissatisfied. The prints come out lovely and FAST
loved MPIX for a year, then been loving Millers for almost two…they ROCK!
Hi Scott,
Oklay, I signed up for MPix yesterday and submitted a small order today for 2 8 by 10s and 9 5 by 7s. I really can’t wait for the metallic prints to get here. And besides, they are almost as inexpensive as my local no-name discount store.
See ya,
Mike
thanks, Scott,
for the confirmation, i heard about mpix.com from a photography podcast and was wondering how it was. i need to print out some big canvas stuff for an up coming photo expo this june. thanks for your posting this one.
aloha Brady
I used mpix.com for my senior thesis show, I was framing the prints myself, so I ordered 3 images with the UV coating from them, I was impressed they came really fast, and the prints came flat!!! not rolled in a tube!! I will use them again for anything I can not print at home!!
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to canvas “gallery” prints, you can check out http://www.updone.com. They’re a new york based company that ships its stuff from China. They have a ridiculously fast turn around and I was very happy with their results. I’m far from a pro so if you can tell the difference between a red value of 210 and 211, then I don’t promise anything as I can’t tell that. But I was extremely pleased with the results and the price.
Dunno. For my money and turn-around times, McKenna Pro Imaging are first class. Scott, you should really give them a whirl.
Joy to the whirled.
Mark
(Note: although Mpix is a pro lab, if you’re an advanced amateur, they will let you use their lab as well).
Believe it or not they even let just very average amateurs like me send stuff there to. I’ve been delighted with the quality and service for over a year now.
The metal paper is great.
tim
Hello Scott,
I don’t know if I can even call myself an amateur but I have been using http://www.myphotopipe.com/. I added there specific profile to Aperture 2.0 and the pictures come very close to what I see on my MacBook Pro. I know of Mpix but have not used them. I do know that both uses the ROES software. If I start making some money, I’ll give them try too.
Calvin
I just received a hardcover photo book from MPIX which I created for my Mother’s birthday. The new printed cover version is awesome. A 22 page 8.5 x 11 hardcover book cost $56 including tax, license and destination fee (shipping). The only mistake I made, because not having created books before, is that I should have left a margin of at least 1/4″ and maybe as much as 1/2″ on the binding side of each page (including the cover). Placing a single image on an entire page worked very well but I should have made sure that the main focal point of the picture was not near the inside edge when placed into the book.
Scott,
Seems like mpix can do a good job, but I’d love to share another aspect of their business with you. I worked with the branch in Columbia, MO (called Miller’s) for nearly a year. Two things. 1)There are some really good people working there who give Miller’s/mpix their reputation. 2)Sadly, the management cares about the customers and very little about its employees. They hire for just a little above minimum wage with no benefits and right after their busy holiday season they get rid of a lot of their employees. Sort of a “Merry Christmas, now get lost” kind of attitude.
Right now I’m still an amateur photographer, but if and when I ever do go pro I’d rather go with the place that treats their employees like human beings rather than just the guys with the fastest turnaround times.
Scott, I have your Photoshop elements 4 and Photoshop CS2 for Digital Photography books, and have learned so much. I also have recently started using MPIX, instead of my own printer. How do I configure photoshop when sending photos out to MPIX? Under Ch 5, “Anger Management, color management step-by-step” you go over this, but I want to make sure this is best for MPIX.
At this time, I have calibrated my monitor using eye-one display2 and have my monitor set up with this ICC profile. My 20D is set at sRGB and my color settings in photoshop are set at the sRGB defaults. Unfortunately, the photos on my monitor are vibrant compared to the same photo opened in photoshop and when I softproof. I then edit the softproof to get it to look more like my monitor and save it. When I view the photo on my monitor, it again looks good (like when I edited it), but looks flatter when opened in photoshop and softproofed. Can you point me in the right direction for this?
I have seen forex sites that show live updates on forex accounts, can anyone tell me how or direct me to a site that explains how to do this?
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