Making Lab Quality Digital Photos?

photoFinished asks: How do most photo labs produce their digital prints? It seems to me that there should be a machine that uses an LCD to create a virtual negative to expose standard photo paper to, resulting in a standard-type photograph as the end result. However, since just about every CVS, Walgreens and other pharmacy advertises the ability to produce prints from your digital photos, I'm wondering if there's a quality difference between the various stores? I can produce a 4x6 on a $100 name-brand ink jet that appears virtually identical to a lab print when you look at it behind glass, the only difference is a light reduction in the smooth/glossiness you get from a regular print. Does anyone have information on the methods used by the various chain pharmacies produce their prints? I'd hate to think that the $0.40 I'm paying for each 4x6 is actually nothing more then the result of an expensive ink jet printer. Sorry if this is one of those 'you should try google' type of questions, but I couldn't find the answers I was looking for."

Comments

Cheap Prints

[graphius]

go to http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/search.asp?query =commercial+printing&page=1&forum=all for more info than you will ever want on printers and printing. Oh, and I would recomend NOT getting your prints printed at wallmart, costco, sam's club, or any of the other discount places if you care at all about your photos. Use a more pro shop, or spend a couple of years to learn how to print your own... I know a fair bit about photography, but close to diddly squat about apache.....