Does anyone know about the process used by professionals when printing digital images? (ie. ofoto.com, clubphoto.com, filmworks.com, etc.) My main concern is, will it last as long as prints from standard negatives? (I know that images printed at home on inkjet printers won't last as long; I'm wondering how the professional prints will last.)

Thank you!

-- Jeff Wade (jeffw@us.ibm.com), February 15, 2000

Answers

Most professional labs use a dye-sublimation process which simply transfers dye from a CMYK ribbon to coated paper via heat-transfer. A good majority of these printers also lay down a layer of UV- resistant coating to ensure the life of the print. Some claim print life expectancies of 10 years or more.

The best process I have seen by far (and the one I currently use) is done by Evercolor (www.evercolor.com) whereby their Lightjet printer uses an RGB laser to expose a silver halide RA photographic paper. Essentially photographic prints from your digital files. These will last as 60+ years.

-- Jason Kirk (jasonkirkphoto@hotmail.com), February 15, 2000.

I know both EzPrints and Ofoto print on RA-4 silver halide Kodak photo paper using the same printer as their film prints. They have a box that interfaces to it and exposes the digital image in lieu of a negative. So the print quality and longevity matches what you get from a one-hour lab with 35mm.

-- Brad Grant (bradandsteph@home.com), February 16, 2000.