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Profiling a digital lab

Title: Profiling a digital lab
Hi Eric

"Is it folly to attempt to "profile" a digital lab?  Given fluctuations in RA-4 chemistry is this  
advisable?"

Not at all and yes respectively: each and every digital device is unique, so as long as the same machine and set-up is being used you should get optimal results by preparing your images for a particular printer and media combination, especially compared to using a generic sRGB profile for example.

Any decent pro lab should be profiling - but many aren't anywhere near up-to-speed with 21st century quality management, and in that respect I totally agree with Andrew Rodney.  All devices should be both calibrated and tested regularly (how regularly depends on the stability of the device), but calibration should restore the printer settings to those you profiled for.  

You'll need to re-profile if the media changes or the machine set-up changes fundamentally... i.e. whenever the profile you made is no longer working satisfactorily.

Most labs don't do a thing to the files they receive unless instructed to do so and getting paid for the privilege!  The chemistry issue is a bit misleading... labs can and should be able to produce stable and consistent output.  This should occur through:
1.  Calibration.
2.  Process monitoring and control.
3.  Using a profile.
If we all got different results every time we sent images to a lab, especially from batch to batch we would soon have customers complaining... it shouldn't happen that way, although there are always variables in the process a basic professional QC system should sort this out.

There are some free 'best practice' guidelines for photographers, labs, printers, etc. regarding these issues below: I think they are excellent, but then I am biased as I am heavily involved with the exercise!  

www.iqa.org/digital
NB The password is Monument - and it is open to all so this is just a method so IQA knows who is downloading and it can ask you for your feedback (so please put in your details!).

Hope that helps.

Best wishes

Mike


Michael Upstone
Alienideas Ltd.
UK
www.alienideas.com 

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