Printing large scale...

[othomas2]

Hi there,

I've got a digital photographic image in colour that I wish to en-large as much as possible for an art exhibition. Basically, anything bigger than A0 would be great. Does anyone know any (cost effective..?) way to achieve this. Like printing onto canvas, or onto poster paper for example, and I'd ask someone to do it for me. Sharp qualitly isn't necessarily an issue if a large scale image can be met. If anyone has any suggestions of what I should begin to look into then I'd be very grateful. The exhibition is on the 19th of this month so really need to get cracking.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rob]

Poster printing is probably the way forward. It's MUCH cheaper and it has an acceptable viewing distance of about three/six feet (unlike a photograph which is can be viewed from an inch). Poster printing does not work on subtle images, it's really well suited to strong contrasty colourful ones.

The printers take a big roll which I think is about A1 x nnn where nnn is the length of the image. Your local photography shop should have examples up. You can see the dots, but it's the only cheap way of producing exhibition sized graphics.

I recommend everyone does a few just for the experience - it really wows your friends who've never seen anything bigger than 6x4 outside of a wedding!

Rob

 

[Rob]

I should have said that your local photographic specialists should be able to do this. Snappy Snaps can all do it. If you happen to be near Beckenham Junction Snappy Snaps then they are very good (especially if you say you know me!).

Rob

 

[othomas2]

Thanks Rob !!

The image is very colourful and contrasting so should be ideal.

I live near Canary Wharf and know of a few snappy snaps around. Don't know where beckenham is though in comparison.

Have you any idea how much that would cost?

cheers
owen

 

[Rob]

Only about £10/£20 AFAIK. If you want to come down to my area, take the DLR to Lewisham and then catch the 54 bus to Beckenham or get a cab. It's not actually that far. If you tell them you're my friend and it's for an art gallery they'll be really good.

Rob

 

[Rose]

i used to work at snappy snaps in muswell hill- north london! in general snappy snaps have a 'cheap, fast service, commercial' image, however i find their work really consitant, high quality and fast, esp when we used to dev. pure black and white negs (which is soo rare to get a good place).

 

[othomas2]

Thanks for your help.

I just phoned round Snappy Snaps for a quote within reasonable reach from where I live. I asked all for A0 printing however some were unable to do that, so I got a quote for A1. Thought this info may help someone else or at least give you an idea of costs.

Greenwich
size A0
Poster - £59.99
canvas - £110.99 plus £80 for stretching

Lewisham- send off 3 days
size A0
Photographic £79.99

London Bridge
size A1
Poster or photographic - £45
Canvas - £90

Beckenham
size A1
Photographic £44.99

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Clearaprint Peckham
A1 poster print £20
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After all this I think I will use the above, and not snappy snaps, for cheaper service. My not be quite as good but found them to pretty good in the past. And I have little money.