VERY IMPORTANT...IMAGE FILE NAMES
Our Lab OnLine software will refuse certain characters, and while we filter most out, please do not use apostrophes, commas, slashes or ampersands in image file names or in your customer name and Code. Also do not use characters in image file names. Please remember to use less than 7 letters in your file name, and keep in mind the image name prints on the back of your prints.
WHAT KIND OF FILES CAN I SEND TO RR LAB ONLINE?
We only accept jpeg’s online. Please save your files in RGB. Save at a quality level of 8 or better. We prefer that you leave your files at the original file size but in some cases, where those files are much larger than what is being printed, i.e. Proof books and proofs, some photographers will o reduce their file sizes for quicker uploads. If nonstandard print sizes are needed, use the “Fit” option in Lab OnLine Roes. Remember our printers will re-size each print at the optimum resolution for that size so you don't have to..
FIRST, DO NO HARM OR DON’T BRUISE THE PIXELS
When it comes to digital files, the less color and density correction you have to do the better. The more you have to manipulate your files, the greater the chance of losing data. We are a photo lab. We have high standards and 30 years experience making color corrections. Our standards are to produce pleasing flesh tones on all prints. There is no need for you to make color corrections, let us do it. Our software never changes your original file, all cropping and corrections are applied when we render your image at the time of printing. All you need to do is provide us with a well-exposed file with the correct white balance.
COMMUNICATIONS
To produce high quality digital images, good communication is required between the lab and the photographer. Please take the time to read the following information that will help you prepare your digital orders correctly so that you get the best quality and fastest turn-around.
Please call us with questions, we can help!
HOW WE PRINT YOUR DIGITAL IMAGES
We print on Professional Photographic paper . This is the same high quality paper your film-based photographs are printed on. Because we print using Silver Halide Photo paper to produce high quality archival photographic prints we can provide sharper and brighter photographs that you and your customer will enjoy for a lifetime.
Luster “E” Surface is our default surface up to 20x30
Matte “N” Surface 24x30 to 48x96
Glossy “F” Is an option for all sizes up to 48x96
Pearl (Fuji's Metallic paper) is available up to 48x96
TIPS ON SHOOTING DIGITAL IMAGES
Exposure Shooting with a digital camera requires correct exposure and proper white balance. Like transparency film, digital exposures are not very forgiving. Under exposure will produce lack of detail and noise in the shadow area. Overexposure will yield highlights with no detail and possible discoloration. Despite claims of manufacturers, don’t plan to save images later in Photoshop. There are no miracles. Improperly exposed images do not have the data necessary to produce professional quality prints . Learning and understanding histograms will be helpful in determining proper exposure for the subject matter being photographed. Remember a histogram is a graphical representation of the tonal values in the image, and not a direct reference to exposure. Refer to the manual that came with your camera for more information on correct exposure and checking your histograms. Photoshop can give you an idea of how overexposure affects an image. Looking at an overexposed image on a calibrated monitor, you will see no detail in the highlights. Using the eyedropper and the info window, Overexposed areas will probably read 255 or close to it. Photographic paper will not produce detail above approximately 245 or below 4.
CROPPING AND SIZING YOUR DIGITAL CAMERA FILES
Shoot largest file size your camera will record. If you are using the Lab OnLine software, do your final cropping there. Use your camera file at its full size other than what is lost in cropping, let our software re-size for you.