Local Printers in my area?

[Limepickle]

Hi all, this is my first time on these forums! Recommended by someone over at WZ2k.

Ok, I'm probably being a bit naive by asking this as people often don't fall over themselves to help potential competitors, but what the hey,

I am in the process of establishing a small image restoration web-based business, specialising in restoration, colour correction & manipulation of photographs.

I wish for the printing to be done by a third party at present,

Question is, does anyone have any suggestions on who to use? I'm based near to Birmingham in the UK, and I need a quick turnaround, I mean, I've used a good online French company before but it means a long wait till the client gets his/her print. ( The irony of it is, theres a print house 2 minutes walk from myself, although they don't seem to want my business..)

Many thanks & once again I hope you can help,


Limepickle

Also, I might push my look a little further. I'm after as many old scraggy photos as possible, in order to build up an example gallery for my site, any suggestions for that also? ( please, no rude or violent suggestions!! )

[Gary Richardson]

Hi,

Can't help you with the printers, I do my own, but as for damaged photos, look in the challenges section here, there's quite a selection.

As far as I know, you can use them on your own site, as long as you acknowledge where the original image came from. Check the FAQ section for details.

Also try the Archive section, there's quite a few more.

[Kraellin]

( The irony of it is, theres a print house 2 minutes walk from myself, although they don't seem to want my business..)

umm, pardon my nosiness, but that seems like the perfect solution. what's the deal with the print house? or are they more of a brochure, leaflet, advertising, paper type printer only wanting bulk jobs?

and yes, i read what you said about wanting a third party printer, but it might suit you better to buy a color printer. they are easy to use, made for work with your computer, do excellent prints any more and are relatively cheap. i mean, it would just seem ideal to me and the turnaround is going to be the quickest you can get and save you money in the long run, i would think. i DO understand you said otherwise; i'm just trying to change your mind

also, if you're ONLY a web based business and wish to do it this way, you could just receive the work electronically, and then send it back the same way and never need to print at all. just let the customer take your finished file and print it themselves.

other than all that, the quickest turn-around is going to be a one hour development type place, i would think. i would think most any development store is going to be able to handle digital these days. just take them your file and let them do it. you could even take it on a flash card in most cases.

Craig

[v.bampton]

Depends on what you're looking for, and how much you want to pay. Places like Tescos do digital prints off files these day, and have a quick turn around. If you're looking for a Pro lab, I can give you a few names and websites, and the turnaround is just a few days.

[Limepickle]

Gary: thanks for the tip on the photos, I'll check it out!

Kraellin:

or are they more of a brochure, leaflet, advertising, paper type printer only wanting bulk jobs?

I think thats the case.
I say they don't want my business, but I may be a bit rash there, its just that they never replied to my email, and when I rang they never answered..maybe I'll make a visit in person.

I did originally intend to do it electronic only, but I'm not sure, wouldn't people EXPECT a print, and go elsewhere if there wasn't one as an option?? Hmm

and v.bampton: Yes please! names of pro labs would be helpful indeed!


Thanks for the great responses guys

[Kraellin]

limepickle (ok, you gotta love that name),

maybe I'll make a visit in person.

ok.

re electronic only. yes, some folks would want and expect a print. so, i just suggested that as something that would be up to you whether you wanted to offer prints or not. it's just an option. but yes, you'll likely get more business if you can offer prints; some folks just dont want the hassle of doing it themselves.

Craig

[v.bampton]

Originally Posted by Limepickle

and v.bampton: Yes please! names of pro labs would be helpful indeed!

Ok, ones we've used in the past (amongst others)
Loxley Colour: http://www.loxleycolour.com/
South West Colour Labs: http://www.swcl.co.uk/
A. H. Leach: http://www.leachcolour.com/

Not used, but recommended to us: http://phoenix-imaging.com/

Currently using our local lab: http://www.abprocessing.com/

There are lots of labs around, but quality varies. From what I've heard of them, phoenix imaging may be a good place for you to start - they deal with a lot of smaller companies, whereas some of the bigger labs you'd get a bit lost.

Regards

Victoria

[Limepickle]

Thanks for the recommendations, this site is an absolute goldmine of relevant information,

Think I'm going to have a bash at some of the challenges..