Large Prints from EZPrints

RogersDA · March 13, 2007

Just received my order today (SmugMug Order # 262403). It is 24" x 36".

I was a bit disappointed that
a) it was rolled up and stuck in a shipping tube;
b) the edges are crinkled, probably due to the tube;
c) whatever inflated air packages that were used didn't protect the eges as they were all inside the rolled image;
d) the paper used feels cheap; and
e) there are clear circular lines in the background of the image. Maybe this is due to the gradient fill on the image.

I have had many prints close to this size ordered from MPix. Their packaging is, in my opinion, second-to-none. The images are taped to a large piece of cardboard (peels right off - I've never, ever had a problem). A protective foam layer is placed on the front, and then the whole thing is wrapped in a relatively thick clear plastic bag. Then this whole thing is sandwiched between two more pieces of cardboard which are taped together. Finally, this is placed in a large, flat shipping box and delivered via fedex NBD for the low-low cost of $9.75 (plus the cost of the print). Not too bad.

The paper used on MPix is very nice. They don't go to 24" x 36", though. And I never had a problem with gradients showing clear lines (think of something akin to the lines in a rainbow). Again, maybe this is my fault in the way I processed the image when I uploaded to my smugmug account.

Andy · March 14, 2007

Hi David, sorry I missed this post last night!

RogersDA wrote:

Just received my order today (SmugMug Order # 262403). It is 24" x 36".

I was a bit disappointed that
a) it was rolled up and stuck in a shipping tube;

All prints of this size are shipped in tubes.

b) the edges are crinkled, probably due to the tube;

This shouldn't be, and we'll replace the print immediately!

c) whatever inflated air packages that were used didn't protect the eges as they were all inside the rolled image;

Can you post the "inspected by" number (a small slip of paper)?

d) the paper used feels cheap;

You chose Matte finish- matte and glossy finishes are standard consumer finish. Lustre is our premium pro finish - heavier, and the prints look so much better on them. I'll reprint it both ways for you and you'll see the difference

More on Lustre here:
http://www.smugmug.com/help/lustre

and
e) there are clear circular lines in the background of the image. Maybe this is due to the gradient fill on the image.

I'm going to examine the file in great detail and reply again shortly before I do anthing.

I have had many prints close to this size ordered from MPix. Their packaging is, in my opinion, second-to-none. The images are taped to a large piece of cardboard (peels right off - I've never, ever had a problem). A protective foam layer is placed on the front, and then the whole thing is wrapped in a relatively thick clear plastic bag. Then this whole thing is sandwiched between two more pieces of cardboard which are taped together. Finally, this is placed in a large, flat shipping box and delivered via fedex NBD for the low-low cost of $9.75 (plus the cost of the print). Not too bad.

Their packaging is SUPER and I completely agree. We are working with our lab to improve things even further.

The paper used on MPix is very nice. They don't go to 24" x 36", though. And I never had a problem with gradients showing clear lines (think of something akin to the lines in a rainbow). Again, maybe this is my fault in the way I processed the image when I uploaded to my smugmug account.

Back to you soon! And no worries - the SmugMug Guarantee is fully covering you here!

System · March 14, 2007

Yet again smugmug customer service blows my mind. Every business has shortcomings but few if any strive to right them with the speed and vigor as smugmug.

Andy · March 14, 2007

RogersDA wrote:

e) there are clear circular lines in the background of the image. Maybe this is due to the gradient fill on the image.

Do you have the layered psd for this file? I'd really like to examine that - in looking at the jpg, I don't see why there should be any banding on the print, but it is NOT uncommon with gradient fills like you've used.

If you have it, you can email it to my (click the email link under my photo over to the left).

Andy

RogersDA · March 14, 2007

Andy,

Thanks for the response. As soon as I get home I will get the inspection number. Hopefully the wife has not tossed the shipping papers.

As for the reprints - that's great!!! I know about and have used lustre many times for other projects. This time I choose matte for two reasons. First - the fingerprints from many kids with touchy-feely hands will be near this print. And, besides that, lustre was not an option:

As for emailing the psd file it may be too large for that. What about something like yousendit.com?

Andy · March 14, 2007

RogersDA wrote:

Andy,

Thanks for the response. As soon as I get home I will get the inspection number. Hopefully the wife has not tossed the shipping papers.

As for the reprints - that's great!!! I know about and have used lustre many times for other projects. This time I choose matte for two reasons. First - the fingerprints from many kids with touchy-feely hands will be near this print. And, besides that, lustre was not an option:

As for emailing the psd file it may be too large for that. What about something like yousendit.com?

Sorry, My mistake, I didn't pay close attention to the size. 24x36 is not availalbe in Lustre- but 20x30 is.
Yousendit is fine..

RogersDA · March 14, 2007

File uploaded via yousendit.com

Let me know that you got it.

Andy · March 15, 2007

RogersDA wrote:

File uploaded via yousendit.com

Let me know that you got it.

I got it, looked at it and it should be fine - with your permission I'd like to print new files for you 20x30 Lustre, will that be ok?

RogersDA · March 15, 2007

That's fine, Andy. Thanks for the help.

What's the reason that lustre is not available at 24x36?

Andy · March 15, 2007

RogersDA wrote:

That's fine, Andy. Thanks for the help.

What's the reason that lustre is not available at 24x36?

It's just not available for those machines...

Andy · March 15, 2007

RogersDA wrote:

That's fine, Andy. Thanks for the help.

What's the reason that lustre is not available at 24x36?

New prints ordered tonight

Order # 265112

RogersDA · March 16, 2007

Andy wrote:

New prints ordered tonight

Order # 265112

Thanks, Andy

Hope you're feeling better today.

RogersDA · March 20, 2007

Andy wrote:

New prints ordered tonight

Order # 265112

Andy,

It came - It was opened - It was nice

The colors on the 20x30's were much darker and richer than the 24x36 that I ordered. The new prints look more like the original. Did you do something, or are the printers producing different colors?

Also, you most certainly did not have to send 2 copies. One would have sufficed!

Andy · March 21, 2007

RogersDA wrote:

Andy,

It came - It was opened - It was nice

The colors on the 20x30's were much darker and richer than the 24x36 that I ordered. The new prints look more like the original. Did you do something, or are the printers producing different colors?

Also, you most certainly did not have to send 2 copies. One would have sufficed!

I did, and you are welcome

RogersDA · March 21, 2007

Andy wrote:

I did, and you are welcome

Can you let me in on what you did so that I can get similar results in the future?

Andy · March 21, 2007

RogersDA wrote:

Can you let me in on what you did so that I can get similar results in the future?

Honestly I don't recall, it was hundreds of shots ago

marlinspike · March 21, 2007

I had a similar complaint about the air baggies falling in when I ordered a 24x36. It was only a test print so I didn't care, but I think they ought to try to find a supplier to make slightly larger air baggies.

RogersDA · March 21, 2007

marlinspike wrote:

I had a similar complaint about the air baggies falling in when I ordered a 24x36. It was only a test print so I didn't care, but I think they ought to try to find a supplier to make slightly larger air baggies.

They need to adopt a better way to mail the large pics.
Tubes=bent edges
Tubes=increased risk of crinkles when unrolling pics.

Large Prints from EZPrints

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