I had some of my files printed(4R) earlier in Digiprint. I noticed that the staff who is in charge of my files, made some adjustments in every photos before printing them. I've seen her adjusted levels to make my photo look brighter(added brightness), and I think some shortcuts she typed was for Auto-Contrast or Auto-Tone adjustments in PS. I was wondering why she tweaked the photos because I already PP'ed them to my taste.

Will her adjustments make my photos look exactly like how I see them on my computer or there's a business policy going-on like they preserve Inks because printing something Dark will consume more Inks than a picture with whites all over(since the photopapers they're using are white).

This issue I want to clear off my mind is not exclusive for Digiprint only because I know and I've had past experiences like this from other printing establishments already. I just want to know if this is really normal and does it benefit the customer (because the staffs know that a photo will become darker when it is printed, etc.)?

I posted this here because this is not an issue with Digiprint only, it just happen that I have my files printed with them. This is not a major issue for me, I'm just a curious kid. Thanks for reading and I hope I will be enlightened. :) Good Day Sirs! :)

From what I know, usually what you PPed is not what you get on print. I guess they might had adjusted it to tweak the ink colors.

I had a friend once before that had a very good presentation to be printed in large scale tarpaulin. He said he didn't want the staff there to modify the colors. The result? Let's just say it's better to admire the one in the computer than the printed tarp.


Next time, try to ask them if they may not adjust your photos and compare your pics from your monitor with the prints and see any difference (with your digital file as reference).

It's a pretty standard operating procedure in most labs unless you tell them explicitly NOT to do any corrections.

They (labs) will write it on the job order receipt itself usually so that the tech will be aware not to make any alterations.

So they're just doing those adjustments for the prints to appear as similar as the digital files?

May I ask you sirs, when printing your photos in Labs, do you tell them not to do any corrections/adjustments or you just let them do so?

So they're just doing those adjustments for the prints to appear as similar as the digital files?

May I ask you sirs, when printing your photos in Labs, do you tell them not to do any corrections/adjustments or you just let them do so?

this is a tricky one to answer ian, because developer/printers pretty much adjust your files to give the 'best possible' output from their labs. If you have calibrated your monitor to the print of the minilab then you can explicitly say to them to do no corrections. (Digiprint has icc profiles of the papers they use [at your disposal], they also used to calibrate their monitors in each branch but now they don't). Unless you have a color-critical photo, it is easier to just have them adjust it for you. They won't do major adjustments anyway.

this is a tricky one to answer ian, because developer/printers pretty much adjust your files to give the 'best possible' output from their labs. If you have calibrated your monitor to the print of the minilab then you can explicitly say to them to do no corrections. (Digiprint has icc profiles of the papers they use [at your disposal], they also used to calibrate their monitors in each branch but now they don't). Unless you have a color-critical photo, it is easier to just have them adjust it for you. They won't do major adjustments anyway.

+1 multiplied by infinity

they had to tweak it because it looked bad in their calibrated monitors. if they didn't you'd return the supposedly "bad" prints (when in fact, it was your fault to begin with). it was a good decision call.

I had some of my files printed(4R) earlier in Digiprint. I noticed that the staff who is in charge of my files, made some adjustments in every photos before printing them. I've seen her adjusted levels to make my photo look brighter(added brightness), and I think some shortcuts she typed was for Auto-Contrast or Auto-Tone adjustments in PS. I was wondering why she tweaked the photos because I already PP'ed them to my taste.

Will her adjustments make my photos look exactly like how I see them on my computer or there's a business policy going-on like they preserve Inks because printing something Dark will consume more Inks than a picture with whites all over(since the photopapers they're using are white).

This issue I want to clear off my mind is not exclusive for Digiprint only because I know and I've had past experiences like this from other printing establishments already. I just want to know if this is really normal and does it benefit the customer (because the staffs know that a photo will become darker when it is printed, etc.)?

I posted this here because this is not an issue with Digiprint only, it just happen that I have my files printed with them. This is not a major issue for me, I'm just a curious kid. Thanks for reading and I hope I will be enlightened. :) Good Day Sirs! :)

What became of your photos? Did they turn our just right? or not to your liking?

So they're just doing those adjustments for the prints to appear as similar as the digital files?

May I ask you sirs, when printing your photos in Labs, do you tell them not to do any corrections/adjustments or you just let them do so?

hi ian,

we had similar problems lately when we had our photos printed at digiprint. some appeared to be darker and some there was slight vignet on the corners. so for the next batch of photos, we specifically asked them to print "as is". that way, i'll know what to adjust in my camera setting.

What became of your photos? Did they turn our just right? or not to your liking?

Hi Sir Rafi, the photos turned out nice! :) But what I've noticed is that the photos are still darker than what it looks like in my (uncalibrated)monitor. The adjustments they made, have my photos looked nicer, thinking that if they haven't adjusted the brightness - it will be a very dark print! :Dum:

To Sirs Jonas, Nino, Ryan, Ralph and David - Thanks for enlightening me with my curiosity. :)

I only print my photos with Digiprint. I work on a calibrated monitor that has consistent outputs with Digiprint. I suggest that if anyone wants consistent outputs, calibrate your monitors, do a test print with Digiprint ask them NOT to do any corrections and compare it with your screen. Do any adjustments to the tone/contrast to match the print output.. The next time you print tell them, NO corrections. Also, I seriously dont think that they will tweak any images "to save ink"... They cater to a lot of hobbyist/point and shooters that download their photos and dont do any corrections at all...They are doing the corrections for them..

HTH.

I suggest that if anyone wants consistent outputs, calibrate your monitors, do a test print with Digiprint ask them NOT to do any corrections and compare it with your screen. Do any adjustments to the tone/contrast to match the print output.. The next time you print tell them, NO corrections.
HTH.

This is what I did when I first had Digiprint print my photos. (you can also do this with any other photo lab)

I don't have Spyderexpress nor any other hardware to do the calibration. I just used the free built-in system software that calibrates monitors/lcd... then literally "eyeing" it comparing with the print.

Works for me.

:)

Hi Mam Pilar, thanks for the reply, I am very enlightened now. Curiosity gone..
I will follow what you've said and hopefully my next prints get to be more consistent in Digiprints' setting/profile. Thank you! :)

This is what I did when I first had Digiprint print my photos. (you can also do this with any other photo lab)

I don't have Spyderexpress nor any other hardware to do the calibration. I just used the free built-in system software that calibrates monitors/lcd... then literally "eyeing" it comparing with the print.

Works for me.

:)

This might work for one photo lab.

But the purpose of calibrating and profiling the display properly is to make it more accurate.

We don't "calibrate" our displays to match a specific printer or photo lab.

That why some of us use devices like the Spyder and its bundled software. :D

HTH.

Cheers!

Jo Avila

This might work for one photo lab.

But the purpose of calibrating and profiling the display properly is to make it more accurate.

We don't "calibrate" our displays to match a specific printer or photo lab.

That why some of us use devices like the Spyder and its bundled software. :D

HTH.

Cheers!

Jo Avila

Jo,

Would you know anyone who offers the calibration service for a reasonable price? I know most hobbyists like me don't have the means or justification to purchase a device like the Spyder for one or two computers. Especially since it's just a hobby and not a money making venture.

Needless to say, we'd still like calibrated monitors to ensure our picture come out well printed.

Thanks.

Jo,

Would you know anyone who offers the calibration service for a reasonable price? I know most hobbyists like me don't have the means or justification to purchase a device like the Spyder for one or two computers. Especially since it's just a hobby and not a money making venture.

Needless to say, we'd still like calibrated monitors to ensure our picture come out well printed.

Thanks.

I know of a few. They'd do it for a meal to say the least.

I know of a few. They'd do it for a meal to say the least.

Share. Need mine calibrated.

Nino knows that calibrating for someone else violates the Spyder software agreement. Joey, I think you can afford 6K.

Nino knows that calibrating for someone else violates the Spyder software agreement. Joey, I think you can afford 6K.

Hahaha. Can't justify it for my hobby. Maybe Digiprint can offer this service of course with the proper agreements with Spyder.

Okay let's go back to the beginning of this thread about getting good output from Digiprint or any photo lab for that matter.

1. If you don't have a calibrated monitor-- all bets are off.
2. If you get a print done, look at the back of the print and if you see numbers printed it means the technician adjusted the prints for contrast, brightness, or color balance.
3. If you don't want your prints adjusted, then you need to tell the attendant. Once you do, most likely they will print on their "pro" machine.
4. Unless you know how to mess around with ICCs, set your photoshop default settings to sRGB and also save your file with sRGB.

Your prints should come out really close to what you see on your monitor assuming you are using a decent monitor that has gone through calibration.

This might work for one photo lab.

But the purpose of calibrating and profiling the display properly is to make it more accurate.

We don't "calibrate" our displays to match a specific printer or photo lab.

That why some of us use devices like the Spyder and its bundled software... :D

HTH.

Cheers!

Jo Avila

You're right... it just works on one photo lab.

And now that Digiprint in Robinson's Metroeast is closed... I'll have to "recalibrate by eye" again once I print from the other photo labs.

Definitely NOT accurate compared to the hardwares and softwares for calibrating and profiling displays.

More importantly, the wifey didn't approve the purchase of the Spydey since I rarely print photos... so I just have to settle with the free method for now. :D

Peace!

You're right... it just works on one photo lab.

And now that Digiprint in Robinson's Metroeast is closed... I'll have to "recalibrate by eye" again once I print from the other photo labs.

Definitely NOT accurate compared to the hardwares and softwares for calibrating and profiling displays.

More importantly, the wifey didn't approve the purchase of the Spydey since I rarely print photos... so I just have to settle with the free method for now. :D

Peace!

Digiprint uses a desktop inkjet printer for in-store printing.

But it usually sends the files to a centralized lab in Pasay for printing on Kodak or Fuji photo lab paper.

I think it's a shame if you rarely print your photos.

The only reason I can think of for having 6mp and up digital cameras is because you want to print your photos. :D

Cheers!

Jo Avila

I think it's a shame if you rarely print your photos.

The only reason I can think of for having 6mp and up digital cameras is because you want to print your photos. :D

Cheers!

Jo Avila

I'm guilty of this! :D
Since I bought my camera, I never thought of printing my takes. I'm just enjoying the clicking of the shutter. But after seeing my first prints(the best among my shots), I felt something wonderful! :Grin:
Photographers who doesn't print misses a lot!

Sorry for the OT