Just received my first large scale order from www.DigitalSilverImaging.com, about 15 pieces of various sizes up to 20 x 30. What a wonderful job they did. Prints were done with their Lustre Value inkjet option (which is what I did my tests with last week) and they arrived flat shipped (not in tubes). IGood stuff, from notification, to turnaround, to packaging, to printing. Couldn’t ask for anything better.
Workflow - I work on my files as 16 bit tiffs in Adobe RGB 98 and then save for the specific size that I’m going to print at 300 dpi and high jpg (i.e. level 12). By giving them the exact size I want printed I can do my sharpening for that size without any worries about introducing artifacts. Uploading was through the ROES Value System. Pick the size you want (I did borderless) and pick the Inkjet Lustre Color Paper (yes, even though I’m doing b&w) and let them take it from there.
Their Lustre paper, as noted before is Ilford Smooth Pearl. Feeling really good about this. Tomorrow I’ll sign, ship, add my Certificates of Authenticity, etc. and if I get a good start I should be able to get the bulk of them out tomorrow (there are two other projects I’m working on as well that I should get out tomorrow).
In short, I give them 5 Stars out of 5 stars. Do your own tests. These guys (gals) know what a black and white print should look like.
Hi Dave,
I youre doing this border less how is someone to overmatt without covering part of the photo?
Hi Ty,
It’d just be covering 1/4 of an inch all around. I didn’t think that was such a big deal. However I could also do them with a 1/4 inch border as well, maybe that’s better.
Dave,
After I posted I realized that you sign prints as well … So there is that to consider…
Hi Dave:
I downloaded their software and will give them a try. The costs for the prints, even the high end ones seem very reasonable. What is the turn around time?
Turnaround time has been excellent. Anywhere from two to four business days. I would say that from time you upload (on a business day) to time they’re shipped is 3 or 4 business days (for the Lustre inkjets). If you want a treat – have them do a b&w fiber print for you. If you have something special.
They have been doing incredible work so far.
I uploaded three photos today for printing as 8 X 10.
Will let you know.
Craig – more info please. What paper selection? What DPI? What profile (Adobe RGB) and were they b&w. That will help in terms of understanding your results. Thanks – Dave
I used the Pearl paper on the value inkjet option. The photos were saved in RGB with 300 dpi resolution and sized as 8 X 10. I received an e-mail late Saturday acknowledging the uploads and saying I would be contacted for payment information. I imagine I will receive a call Monday.
Craig – sounds good. That’s what I’m doing. Results continue to be perfect. On Monday I expect two deliveries – one with about 30 prints, and one with about nine color prints.
Will provide comments once I get the photos.
Had to re-order the prints this evening because of a mistake I had made. They called me today to ask several questions. I had given my cell number. They called during the day while I was at work and solved the problem on the phone very fast. I re-did the order this evening without any problem. Will let you know when the prints arrive. From the support on the phone I think the results will be good.
What sort of mistakes did you make? Something in the workflow? Or something in the ordering process?
Had made a mistake in sizing 2 of the photos.
Got confirmation today that the order will ship in 2 business days.
Will let you know as soon as I receive the order.
Hope to get the photos from DSI tomorrow or Saturday and will provide my comments. Are you using them for all the printing?
I am using them for all my printing . Perfect work from them i’ve now done about 80 prints, both color & b&w and all sizes Not a flaw in the process
Will have the prints tomorrow.
Hi Dave:
Got four 8 X 10 prints today. They are excellent. One might look better with a little less contract and/or lighter but overall I cannot complain. They came in a large envelope with the prints in a separate plastic bag with card board. I will use them again for larger prints. The costs are very reasonable. I did not try Fotomoto. What do you see as the difference.
Craig
apples and oranges
fotomoto only works when you integrate their cart
Its a completely different workflow
And since they never came up with a good wsy to send prints to yourself… the process takes a lot of ssetup work
and turns out to be more expensive
But fotomoto means that you are tied to their software and process
If you decided that a different lab was better for your needs then you could switch from dsi in five minutes
Than DSI it is.
I am going to try more prints and also color.