Photo to Poster Services

[Drakkon]

I thought I saw a thread on here not too long ago that dealt with turning photographs into large format posters (read 20x36 or larger) but I have been looking at services and not sure which are legit, which will do the best job, etc. My picture is fairly high quaility and i don't want to rasterbate it, I want to frame it.
Any one out there use one of these services and can make a suggestion? or is there a site that reviews these companies?

 

[effowe]

Can't Kinko's do something like this?

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: effowe
Can't Kinko's do something like this?

Kinko's can print it on a large inkjet (often marketed as 'giclee'). They'll tell you that they use long-life inks, but in practice inks like this can't stand up to UV for more than a few years at best, considerably more if you frame it behind some UV glass (available from quality framing shops).

Going to a Kinko's or other similar shop is a crap shoot on whether you'll find someone who knows anything more than hitting the big, green PRINT button.

Going to a chain photo finisher (Wolf, etc) will get you better results and probably a better product, but may (or may not) cost more. If they use lightjet technology, they'll produce a higher quality print that will stand up to time better (I still recommend UV glass when framing) if you want it to last longer.

Finally, if you're fortunate enough to live in an area with a reputable local professional photo finisher still in business (if you're in Saint Louis, I highly recommend Allied Photocolor you'll get a product similar to those from chains, but with much higher personal attention to detail. They'll scrutinize their product and you can have confidence they'll produce the best their equipment can make. They may cost a little more (but probably not a lot) but personally it's worth it.

Cliffs:
If you want it to last
- don't get an inkjet
- go to a local photofinisher if you want something well-made
- put it behind UV glass