Where have the pro labs gone?

<p>John, those air curtain doors, combined with the positive pressure applied to the interior of the building, means that though dirt comes in on customer's shoes and clothes, it doesn't blow in. Unless they've really messed up the balance, any airborne particulates passing the door are heading toward the parking lot.<br>

Or at the Costcos around here, toward the pizza and hot dog area.<br>

Van</p>

<p>I've found Frontier prints pretty good but a bit boring, it is just std gloss but flat .. you don't get the shimmering effect with inkjet semi gloss/luster papers. there are labs that do that but more expensive.</p>

<p>People who think that places like Costco can replace what a custom lab does are grossly misinformed or simply have basic needs. Try getting a unique print size, for example, or offset and uneven borders. Color management isn't as accurate and the fine adjustments to the image requiring good taste and years of imaging experience just aren't possible. They can cover the basics, and they do that well, but it's about the same as getting a meal cooked by a pit stop diner versus a four star restaurant. The ingredients and tools might be the same but it stops there. Unfortunately, too many people are of the mind set that it's all the same and that's why custom labs are gone. Also, most places that called themselves custom labs never had a clue what that meant because they didn't have the demanding customer base that only existed in and around major cities. It's hard to sell a lot of first class seats when people can only afford coach.</p>