Bay photo for non-pro accounts?

BradJudyBradJudy Registered Users Posts: 53 Big grins
edited July 13, 2009 in SmugMug Support
Is there any chance that Bay Photo printing will be made available for non-pro accounts?

While I don't print much, I am interested in the improved B&W printing process. A few months ago, I printed some B&W photos and went around with customer service about the tinting of the photos. CS was good to work with and in the end it was decided that it was an issue with the printer using a color process for all printing. CS suggested that when the new printing option was available, I could print through them in true B&W. However, it appears that the Bay Photo printing option is only available to pro accounts. I have no other needs for a pro level account and I print so little that upgrading my account from regular to pro for better B&W printing would make for an expensive average print cost. :)

Comments

  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited July 6, 2009
    BradJudy wrote:
    Is there any chance that Bay Photo printing will be made available for non-pro accounts?

    While I don't print much, I am interested in the improved B&W printing process. A few months ago, I printed some B&W photos and went around with customer service about the tinting of the photos. CS was good to work with and in the end it was decided that it was an issue with the printer using a color process for all printing. CS suggested that when the new printing option was available, I could print through them in true B&W. However, it appears that the Bay Photo printing option is only available to pro accounts. I have no other needs for a pro level account and I print so little that upgrading my account from regular to pro for better B&W printing would make for an expensive average print cost. :)
    I'm sorry, it's a pro account feature only. I wish I had a better, different answer for you.
  • BradJudyBradJudy Registered Users Posts: 53 Big grins
    edited July 6, 2009
    I guess I'll have to make friends with a pro for an occasional print.

    Any recommendations for shops that do a good job with B&W and will accept orders from lowly amateurs? :)
  • jfriendjfriend Registered Users Posts: 8,097 Major grins
    edited July 6, 2009
    BradJudy wrote:
    I guess I'll have to make friends with a pro for an occasional print.

    Any recommendations for shops that do a good job with B&W and will accept orders from lowly amateurs? :)
    You could also just do business with Bay Photo directly. They won't print directly from your Smugmug account, but you can presumably set up an account with them and then upload an image to them and have them print the B&W for you.
    --John
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  • BradJudyBradJudy Registered Users Posts: 53 Big grins
    edited July 6, 2009
    I thought that Bay (along with many other pro printing shops) required that one be a professional photographer with a verifiable business before they would establish a direct account.
  • jfriendjfriend Registered Users Posts: 8,097 Major grins
    edited July 6, 2009
    BradJudy wrote:
    I thought that Bay (along with many other pro printing shops) required that one be a professional photographer with a verifiable business before they would establish a direct account.
    I don't know about that. If that's the case, there are other labs that offer real B&W printing for consumers.
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  • BradJudyBradJudy Registered Users Posts: 53 Big grins
    edited July 7, 2009
    Unless anyone has a specific recommendation, I'll give Fromex a try for true B&W printing - http://www.trueblackandwhiteprints.com/
  • stargazer858stargazer858 Registered Users Posts: 6 Beginner grinner
    edited July 13, 2009
    I myself have the same question, so I did a live chat session with Bay Photo support. I told them I am not a professional photographer and asked if I could open an account with them. According to the person I was chatting with you can open an account with them. So I will be doing so later today.
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