Ask Carey: printing images from Mpix
Got this question via email from a client who’s getting ready to order her pictures from MPIX (there’s no better place to take your pictures, BY THE WAY!!!)
Here’s the question:
I’m going to order a bunch of printing from Mpix. For ordering paper prints of the sepia photos, which Mpix paper would be best?
GREAT question!
First of all, for black & white or sepia images, I’d stay away from the “metallic” paper. Black & whites that are snappy infared or snazzy modern architecture look really cool on metallic, but b&w/sepia people portraits look better with a more satin, matte, or flat finish.
So, your choices are e-surface paper or the “true B&W” paper.
The thing you have to remember is that a sepia picture isn’t really black & white. There are some other colors in there (rust, brown, etc), so if you order a sepia picture on the true b&w paper, it’s going to lose that toning. It will look good, but it won’t look sepia any more.
So, if you want the sepia tones to remain, order e-surface.
Here’s what I’m talking about:
color image:
Here’s one with a subtle sepia-like tone:
If you order that pic on true b&w paper, it will look like this:
So, it just depends on what you want. If you want to keep those sepia tones, use e-surface.
You may also want to snazz it up your prints with lustre coating from Mpix!
Here’s what Lustre coating is:
Mpix offers Lustre Coating which provides a sheen that visibly enhances your prints and provides superior protection. The coating protects against fingerprints, UV rays, and typical over-spraying found in home/office environments. Lustre coating provides for a richer, enhanced sheen on prints of every size.
I’ve also heard that Mpix will be rolling out a really nice art paper with a soft velvety matte finish. They had samples at WPPI in Vegas this year, but I don’t know when they’re rolling that out. When I find out, I’ll let you know!!
~Carey
PS: Don’t forget to follow Mpix on Twitter to get the word on all the contests & coupons!! Following me may be good for a giggle or eye-rolling, too
