The Image

The image that you want to print is a very subjective decision. This image may have a special meaning to you, but not to anyone else. At the end of the day, what that memory means to you, is all that matters.

On the other hand, you may have had a special day you want to proudly display or share with others. This may include a wedding, a new addition to your family, etc. For many of these special days, many people hire a professional photographer.

Regardless, whether it is a picture taken with your phone, or by a professional photographer, at Lazer-It, we use the same process and technology to print your special memories.

If your memories were not edited by a professional photographer, we will enhance the colors, saturation, etc., to make your image as vibrant as possible. We will size the image (if needed) so it will fit the size paper you have selected, while preserving the original subject and message.

At this stage, we can also personalize your memory, if desired.

To print an image requires attention to detail as well as the correct software so your image can be adequately enhanced and prepared before printing. At this stage, using the best size and quality paper becomes a priority.

The Quality of the Paper

Just as important as the memory preparation is the step of finding the right paper to print your memories. Whether you decide on a satin, matte, gloss, metallic finish, or other paper of your choice, we can provide it for you.

A good photography print shop will use what is referred in the industry as papers’ “ICC Profiles”, which will match your paper selection to the printer’s range of colors. The result is a print that will maximize the printer’s settings for a specific paper. Matching the paper finish, to your memory should not be overlooked!

Unlike big box retailers, at Lazer-It, we specialize in finding papers with unique finishes and textures. We do not buy our photography paper from a paper company. Instead. We use one of the leaders in the photography paper industry. Printing an image on a low-quality paper is likely to product an image that will fade quicker, and will look dull, regardless of the picture resolution.

The first two steps will prove to be ineffective, unless a high-quality printer is used in this last, yet crucial step.    

The Printer

Most printers, including the ones used in most “big box” retailers, use a four-color set of inks. This includes printers that are used at most homes and offices. These printers will create nice prints; however, those dye-based ink jet printers are designed to print temporary images.

A good way to learn whether your retailer is using a low-quality printer ask the retailer whether they use Pigmented inks. More than likely, if they don’t, they may look puzzled!

Also, pay attention if they are printing documents, as well as photography using the same machine. Printing with Pigmented inks is a more expensive process, more than likely used exclusively for photography.

Unlike dye-based inks Pigmented ink consists of a very fine powder of solid colorant particles; in addition, Pigmented inks are fade resistant, last much longer, and are water resistant.

Although much more expensive to operate, the advantages are noticeable, and the prints are likely to remain flawless for decades to come.

At Lazer-It, we use a Canon imagePROGRAF printer, which is the leader in the professional printing industry. Unlike other printers, our printer uses an amazing 1,536 Nozzles and 12 Pigment inks system.

Our final prints can have a resolution of 2400 x 1200 dots per inch, and it can print images as big as 18” by 25.5”. The printer uses a LUCIA PRO 11-color, plus Chroma Optimizer ink system, which will satisfy the demands of any professional photographer.