Should you use Lab-Corrected or Studio-Corrected Color for Printing

The fact is, it does not matter who is managing the quality aspects of your images in the digital world: the photographer has to pay more attention to color balance and exposure than ever before. Digital images simply do not have the color and exposure latitude that we enjoyed when exposing color negative film. The photographer is now responsible for understanding white balance and exposure. The question is if you are a little off (and you will be from time to time) do you want our technicians who correct images all day every day using the latest in high tech tools making the corrections, or do you want to do it yourself?

If you are confident in your staffs ability to retouch and correct images that consistently produce prints that meet your expectations, then Studio-Corrected printing is for you. However, if you would like the confidence of knowing that every image you sell is being reviewed for quality and adjusted by a color professional who understands your preferences, you will see the value of our Lab-Corrected color and density service.

Before you make the choice between these 2 options here are some points to consider:

Shoot your images, save them as JPG files, and send them to us via JDLab2You, Pick-a-Pack, LabPrints, or ImageQuix. We do the rest. Your prints are individually color corrected and hand-inspected. Every custom service including retouching is available. Order quantities are hand-counted and each print is hand-inspected before shipping. Any problems are resolved before the prints ever leave the lab, making reprints virtually non-existent. If a DRGB remake is required, it is paid for by the lab. Additionally if you are having quality issues, our staff is available to help you resolve them.

Economy printing means that your studio is willing to take complete control of the color, density and retouching of your own prints. Image files sent to the lab are sent directly to the printer, cut and shipped. Your order will be discounted on your final lab bill.

While JD Lab uses the same quality paper and printers for Econo work, your studio is responsible for everything else (including remakes). Therefore, you should be comfortable with computers, monitors, calibration software and correction software as well as a basic knowledge of color theory and evaluation. Understanding how all these things interact with the settings on your camera is necessary for you to control your own workflow.

Click here to learn how to get started with Studio-Controlled Printing by controlling your own color.