FAQ

We are located at 20304 Harper Avenue- Harper Woods, Michigan 313-281-1402. Our lab is right off the I-94/ Exit 224B/Allard on Harper service drive. Our building is in between Hunt Club and Country Club; and the building is on Lochmoor Street off Harper.

No, our service is open to professional photographers as well as individuals.

We use sRGB Color Profile.

We accept jpeg files.

Our printers automatically add sharpening based on the size of print being produced, which along with your adding sharpening can result in your image being over sharpened.

sRGB (specifically sRGB IEC61966-2.1) is the most common color space used in digital photography. The sRGB color space was created jointly by Microsoft and HP. It approximates the color gamut of most common computer display devices. Since sRGB serves as a best guess of how another person's monitor displays color, it has become the standard color space used for displaying images on the Internet. sRGB is also the accepted standard used by Professional Labs for printing images on photographic paper.

Many cameras can be set to save directly as sRGB jpg files. Some photographers may prefer to capture images as RAW files. In that case, you should convert images to sRGB as a final step before ordering prints from Yellow Door Photography. Most software applications, such as Photoshop, Lightroom, iPhoto, Picasa, etc., give you the option to save or export images in the sRGB color space.

A Slice Of Life Photography is our parent company and has been in business since 2006. Feel free to visit their website: http://www.asliceoflifephotography.com

We recommend you send the full-resolution image, as it was captured by your camera. When using our online software, there is no need to re-size or change resolution.

200 ppi at the chosen print size

A general rule for good quality photographic prints is to have a resolution of 200 ppi at the desired print size. Having said that, we realize that may not answer your question exactly, so we offer the following information on file size.

Print Size: 4x6

Dimensions Minimum Recommended: 1200 x 1800 pixels

Resolution Minimum Recommended: 300 ppi

Print Size: 8x10 

Dimensions Minimum Recommended: 1600 x 2000 pixels

Resolution Minimum Recommended: 200 ppi

Print Size: 11x14

Dimensions Minimum Recommended: 1980 x 2520 pixels

Resolution Minimum Recommended: 180 ppi

Print Size: 16x20

Dimensions Minimum Recommended: 2400 x 3000 pixels

Resolution Minimum Recommended: 150 ppi

Print Size: 20x30

Dimensions Minimum Recommended: 2600 x 3900 pixels

Resolution Minimum Recommended: 120 ppi

Print Size: 30x40

Dimensions Minimum Recommended: 3000 x 4000 pixels

Resolution Minimum Recommended: 100 ppi

In larger print sizes, the 200 ppi rule would require enormous file sizes, which photographers printing larger sizes have learned from experience is unnecessary. There are optical illusions at work that cause less resolution to be required, as the print size gets larger. Smaller prints are held and examined closer. As the print size gets larger we tend to hold it further from our eyes, or even stand back from it in the case of photos displayed on the wall. You may hold a 5x7 print in your hand, pull it up close to your eyes and carefully examine it; but you don't do that with a framed 30x40. The epitome of this sliding scale is the example of a billboard: it appears photographic to the viewer, but is actually only printed from a 30 - 40 dpi file.

Resolution is not the only factor in print quality

Shot correctly, 7-10 mega pixel SLRs will usually deliver a digital image that produces good quality prints throughout the range of print sizes we offer, all the way up to a 40x50. In some cases, we have customers shooting older Nikon and Canon digital SLRs that capture at what is now considered low pixel resolution, as low as 3-5 mega pixels, but consistently produce very acceptable prints in sizes up to our largest 40x50 print. The important factors are that these photographers shoot with the highest quality lenses and with impeccable technique. Another way to say this is: it doesn't matter how high the resolution of the camera sensor is, if proper exposure, steady shooting, best practices in setting white balance, and good quality glass are not part of the mix, prints of the images will appear to be poor quality. Conversely, perfect technique by a talented shooter can produce very good prints even when shooting a lower resolution camera.

Yes, we will print tastefully done nudes and various types of boudoir photography. We will not reproduce images that we deem to be simply pornographic.

Child Pornography ??? It is a Federal crime to possess, transmit or reproduce child pornography. Our policy is to contact local law enforcement and provide copies of the images and all available account information if we receive images that appear to depict minors in sexually explicit poses (child pornography).

We do not process film but do print from negative. We can print from processed negatives 35mm film, 120/220 medium format film and 2x2 mounted slides.

Yes, we can scan any print up to 8x10, 35mm films, 120/220 medium format films and 2x2 mounted slides

No. Yellow Door Photography offers full adjustment of every individual image in each order, for no additional charge.

There are three options for you when using Yellow Door Photography:

• There are a few exceptions where photographers would like to have complete control, adjust their own photos and not have our operators make any additional adjustments. We allow for that option as well: in the Review Order window you will find an option to select "Do not Color Correct". If you choose this option, please notice the caution: "Remakes for Color or Density are not accepted if this option is selected".
• We believe most photographers who use Yellow Door Photography make slight overall adjustments of white balance and levels, using software that is very efficient in adjusting many images at once, such as Lightroom, iPhoto, Picasa, Photoshop Elements, etc., but then they still rely heavily on Yellow Door Photography to tweak it and make final adjustments whenever necessary.
• You can make absolutely no corrections and send us images exactly as they were captured by your camera. (Of course if you shoot RAW images, you do need to convert to JPG.) We will make necessary adjustments to density, color, and contrast for the best print possible. Many photographers follow this workflow and are very satisfied with the prints they receive.One final suggestion in this regard; very important note: Customers who have the best success with prints from us (or any other pro lab for that matter) tend to keep adjustments of their camera images very subtle. "Less is more". Whereas, customers who have the least success make more severe adjustments that sometimes clip the histogram, blow out highlights, and move color balance so far from normal that it becomes difficult, or impossible, for the lab to correct it back into a normal range.The same is true of sharpening. Over sharpening can ruin an image for printing and we cannot undo the effect of an image that has been over sharpened. Another way of putting it is this: customers who open every single image into Photoshop and adjust each image individually seem to be the most likely to move color or density so far out of range that good printing becomes difficult or impossible. The most successful photographers use a workflow where they make overall adjustments to an entire shoot using Adobe Lightroom, then export and send those slightly adjusted photos to Yellow Door Photography fully expecting the lab to make a final round of adjustments to "tweak" the images for the best print possible.

If a Photoshop manipulation is made for an effect, you may wish to use the "Do not Color Correct" option. So the lab does not try to "correct" an effect you have purposely created.

We use a variety of printers manufactured by both Epson and Kodak and Xerox.

No, we do not require a minimum order amount

We offer several types of Professional Inkjet Papers: Epson/Kodak E-Surface inkjet paper and Lexjet Metallic inkjet paper. Our Epson/Kodak inkjet E-Surface paper has a luster finish. It is excellent for realistic color saturation and color accuracy. Our Metallic paper offers a unique glossy finish. It delivers rich, vibrant colors and flattering flesh tones.

Luster is our default finish that we use for all our prints, if another finish is not selected. We think most color labs serious about serving photographers use this paper by Epson/Kodak. It is considered a luster finish. In other words, a light semi-matte finish. So gloss and sheen are not present, yet it is sharp and bright. It exhibits vivid color with a good balance between contrast and subtle gradations for good portrait work. We think Epson/Kodak inkjet Luster is the perfect balance between gloss and matte -- a true professional finish that will help your image stand out from prints made by others at local one-hour labs or discount store photo finishers.

Metallic is almost a special effect. It still captures good realism, but it almost has a pearlescent quality. Metallic in the base of the paper shows through to give an added dimension, especially in the lighter tones. This high reflective metallic quality shows through in a brides white dress, or the highlights and brightest colors of a sunset. It's hard to describe, but rather needs to be seen personally with prints of your images. We strongly encourage you to make a test of both papers, using the same image, to see the differences for yourself.

The choice between the two papers we offer is purely subjective; not something we can say, for this type of photograph, you should use Luster, but anytime you shoot this type of image you should use Metallic.??? The fact of the matter is we have some portrait photographers that love the look of Lexjet Metallic so much they print everything, proofs, enlargements and wall display size prints, on it. There are also some landscape and wildlife photographers who seem to always print to Metallic. That is the reason we keep enlarging our Metallic offering to more sizes and more products. We have even perfected the processes to put Metallic on print Wrap and standouts mount products. On the other hand, we also have customers that have tried Metallic and have decided they do not like it, or rather, would only use it very selectively, on certain images and subject matter.

So in the end, our best suggestion is that you send a test of several images for 8x10 prints in each Luster and Metallic. At only $2.69 for Metallic 8x10 and $2.15 for Luster 8x10, a test in a little larger print size (not just 4x6s) is a very inexpensive test that will serve you well.

We do offer gold and silver stamping. There is no extra fee for this service. These wallets are also automatically die-cut (rounded corners) at no extra charge.

We do not offer online status at this time. However, you will receive an email when your order is received. You'll also get an email with the tracking information when your order ships.

No, your file number from the image isn???t printed on the back of the picture at this time.

We recommend our customers order prints using JPG images, saved at the highest quality setting (highest quality = minimum amount of jpeg compression).

Several points to consider:

• Although TIF files can have compression applied, most in the photo industry, including all the highest quality camera manufacturers and all pro labs we are aquatinted with, have embraced JPG as the image compression algorithm of choice.
• TIF files, with no compression, will be extremely large in size. JPG images, even at the maximum quality setting can be 10X smaller. TIF files will take longer to load into the online software -- sometimes so long that it seems your computer is frozen. TIF files will tie up your computer when transferring the order to the lab. TIF files will take significantly more bandwidth when transferring across the network and more size on our server.
• The online ordering software will accept TIF files. Technically, TIF files could be considered to be higher quality than JPG, because the TIF algorithm can be set to lossless with no compression applied. However, we have tested this in the lab and have had numerous customers test this, always with the same results: in side-by-side comparisons of photographic prints, we cannot perceive any difference from the prints made from TIF files and the prints made from high quality JPG images -- even at the largest 40x50 print size.
• We are talking, specifically, about ordering prints, not the mode you use in your camera to capture the images. Some customers shoot directly to JPG images in their camera. The images take less room on storage media, in the camera and on your computer. However, for maximum quality and more flexibility in processing, other customers have adopted shooting in RAW mode, then converting the images they chose to print to JPG files.Again, just to summarize, our system does allow for TIF files to be transferred and printed, but we strongly recommend you use JPG files -- always at maximum quality.

Yes. When drop shipping is selected in the review order window, there are no materials inside or out that would give any indication of the source of the lab printing or the price. In fact, to the end customer, your address will appear as the shipper.

The Accent Edge Mount,, Acrylic and/or Metal mounting option will be the best choice. It is a very attractive mounting option. The full 30"x40" print will be mounted on the substrate. Our accent edge mount, acrylic or metal prints are ready-to-hang right out of the box.

Yes, you will see an option for "No Color Correction" in the review order window of the ROES ordering software.

Before ordering larger, more expensive prints, and prints with special mounting options, it is a very good idea to order a less expensive proof print. With 8x10s priced at only 2.15 it is very economical to even make several variations of adjustments and print proofs of all of them before ordering the larger more expensive print.

Yes, those settings should work fine.

Shipping is absolutely free within the 48 contiguous states with order $25.00 or higher

Yes, we do offer drop shipping for of $12.99. No paperwork is included in the drop shipped order. The invoice will be emailed directly to you. Also, the return address on the package is yours, so it appears as if the package was shipped from you.

We're very sorry, but at the present time we do not have a printed catalog to send out to you. The website reflects our current product offerings. In addition to our website, the online ordering software (which is free) shows all of the products, sizes and options, along with pricing for each item. For photographers that would like to show products in the software to their customers without the lab-pricing showing, please download our LabPrints software.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.

Yes, we do offer RAW image processing. We will color correct each file and convert it to JPG and have it back to you within 24 hours or less via FTP.

Yes, we do offer color-correcting image only without printing and have it back to you within 24 hours or less via FTP.

Understanding that photographers often have short deadlines to meet, with their customers, we are pretty flexible with our remake policy. Your satisfaction is really our top priority. (That's not just ad hype; you'll find it's true when you begin ordering with us). We believe with every lab, on occasion remakes are necessary. In that respect we will attempt to do whatever is necessary to help you meet your deadlines.

Of course, the informal arrangements we might make with customers over the phone often extend a bit beyond what we can put in print as official policy. Here is the official word on it, from our General Information page on the website.

Please feel free to call if you have any questions about it.

Remakes

Because of the nature of our business, we are not able to offer cash refunds. If you are ever dissatisfied with the work you receive, return it and we will redo it at no additional charge. We are committed to producing the best possible prints within the technical limits of the photographic process.

To have work remade at no charge, you must return all the original paperwork and prints within 30 days of the invoice date. Please do not fold, write on, or damage the prints in any way. In emergency situations where time is critical, we can reprint a problem order immediately if the images and order information are still stored in our server. Please call the lab to determine if the information is still available. In this situation you will be billed for the new prints and then a credit will be issued when we receive the returned prints. Remake orders are not billed a shipping charge, if shipped by ground.

Yes. Each order will have its own invoice but we can ship in one shipment