Wednesday 16 January 2013

Basics On Professional Photo Lab

By Shanna McNeil


A professional photo lab is a place where photographs are developed and printed. These labs often have the necessary equipment to produce prints from digital files or film. In recent years, the demand for film development has decreased as digital photography has become more popular. Minilabs, small developing and printing systems, have taken the place of some of the larger labs.

It is standard for professional labs to have film processors and printers. The brand of equipment and quantity will differ based on the lab. Still, both of these items are necessary in order for photographs to be processed. Films, 35mm, must be pulled. This means that the end of the film is extracted from its cassette, which may be done manually or by using a small machine.

Two stickers, called twin check numbers, with matching numbers are placed on the film and an envelope. This is used to keep track of orders after processing and make sure that the film goes into the correct order envelope. Film is spliced on leader cards, one at a time, and then placed inside the processor. These are fed through the machine by the sprockets on the leader cards.

The film will go through developer, then bleach, and fix. It will pass through a stabilizer before a dryer dries it. Following this process, it will be cut from the leader card and placed with the envelope that has the details from the customer order. Film will have to go through a photo printer. In cases where there is no film and only digital files, the photo printer is the main equipment used since film does not need to be processed.

The majority of photo printers are controlled using photo printers. Paper stock employed is usually one roll that gets cut only after the prints have been developed in the proper size. There are different roll widths used for the different image widths that may be requested. Frames will be printed one at a time using special paper that advances with each new print. This paper will then pass through developer, fix or bleach, was and a dryer.

Prints that have been processed and printed are cut to the correct size and placed together. In orders that use film, a small machine is employed to cut the negatives, which are then placed into a sleeve for protection. All of these parts are put in the envelope and readied for the customer. Places that only do digital photography processing will go through the same process, but without the handling of negatives.

The cost of having prints processed through these professional facilities will vary. Typically the cost is related to the amount of prints and their size. There are numerous stores that offer these services through in-store labs. There are also photo-developing kiosks at many stores that allow customers to print out digital photos.

Professional photo labs are not as popular as they once were. These facilities are equipped with the necessary machines to develop and print photographs, from film or digital files. In modern times, digital photography is more popular. Because of this, there are less large labs available, more do-it-yourself kiosks and minilabs. Prices associated with development will vary greatly.




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