Where to get good photos printed?

[pidsy]

I have a series of hi-res photos on memory stick that i want to get printed and blown up to approx a4 size before having them mounted and framed.

There are so many online companys offering prints, all saying they are better than the rest, varying prices, paper options etc. the highstreet is the same, costco do it too but wondered if anyone has a recommendation?

I really want the images to look as good as they can so im a bit lost. Is it worth getting some printed smaller to check quality before scaling up?

How can i work out how big i can go before the image loses quality?

Over to you experts!
Any help is appreciated.

[GetCarter]

Most of us here use photobox. I've used them for over a decade and have never been dissapointed. (I sell the prints).

[pidsy]

I'll look them up now.

[XG332]

I've only used Jessops. (used to work for them) easy, quick and I think you can now actually order online to the store.

[MikeGTi]

GetCarter said:

Most of us here use photobox. I've used them for over a decade and have never been dissapointed. (I sell the prints).

+1 I use Photobox and no problems so far.

[RobDickinson]

GetCarter said:

Most of us here use photobox. I've used them for over a decade and have never been dissapointed. (I sell the prints).

You use the poster print size?

I need to get some largeish prints done for people in the UK.

[K12beano]

I've used Photobox up to 30" x 20". Very impressive.

[Dogsey]

RobDickinson said:

You use the poster print size?

I need to get some largeish prints done for people in the UK.

I've had a few of their Pro Poster Prints at A2, fabulous quality.

[GetCarter]

K12beano said:

I've used Photobox up to 30" x 20". Very impressive.

Me too Rob.

[RobDickinson]

Cool , once I am back from Wanaka I will look into it.

[lloyd h]

DS colour labs, they P$ss all over photobox and are just as cheap.

[pidsy]

looked up all suggested so far and the online places are (obviously) cheaper - just placed my "60 free prints" order from photobox to see how they come out.

i want prints roughly 18" x 12" so i am happy to experiment with a couple of places.

GetCarter - awesome photography, tempted to buy a couple of yours too.

[Craikeybaby]

A couple of years back I sent out the same image to about 10 different places to compare not just the print quality, but ease of ordering and service etc and Photobox had by far the best service, it arrived a couple of days before most others, however when I laid the prints out next to eachother it was by far the worst, washed out with muted colours.

In the end the best combination for cheap prints was DSCL, who I've been using since, although I still use my local pro lab (One Vision Imaging) for better prints, but at a much higher cost.

[mcflurry]

lloyd h said:

DS colour labs, they P$ss all over photobox and are just as cheap.

I like their end product, and the way you can either let them do adjustments, or leave the files "as is" if you're able to use Lightroom / PS

There are sometimes intro offers in the camera magazines

[XG332]

The gadget show did a test similar a few years ago IIRC

[marcosgt]

I've always been very happy with Snapfish, who came out top in the Gadget Show feature.

M.

[dubzter]

I've used Whitewall and have been blown away by the quality.