I have been using a lab for my team and player pictures. I am looking for a lab with great products and templates, quick turn around time, order forms, and packaging. I have been using a lab and they have been inconsistant, which is a shame, because I love their templates and products. I shoot a league with 63 baseball teams and don't have time to mess with orders where there are lots of errors.
Also, I use Printroom.com for my action and events. Am willing to switch at this point. I love their prints, but want to be able to offer more products like statuettes and wall graphics online, but they are only offered in printroom direct. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
I've been very happy with Candid Color Systems. They have all the toys and games you're trying to find and their quality control is very impressive.
Their site is: candid.com
I use H&H Color Lab. They have nice (free!) software and a system (you must buy the hardware for $100 per shooter) to really speed things up for larger shoots.
+1 for H&H, quick turn around and great quality. The leagues I shoot are smaller so I just use the eZevent software without the scanner and it works great. Their templates for memory mates, etc. are really well done, just wish they would update them more often...
I have a different question that I would like to tag along on this thread if I may. With memory mates/trading cards/mag covers when you are adding names team names positions personal info etc what is the process like from these labs. Is it a build it yourself based software or can you just send in the images and order forms?
I have been using Foto-Sports for the last three years and have been very happy with them. They have a great product line, make very few errors and have great customer service. Their pricing is very good accross their product line and they actually dropped their prices on many of their products last year. They also customize and print all of my order forms 4 color both sides and were able to use something that I created showing all of my packages on the backside of the form. Their web site is www.foto-sports.com.
I'm going to tag along on this thread too. I have been asked to do a football leageu T&I this fall along with the action. I've been researching some labs. Has anyone used www.marcophotoservice.com ? The samples they sent me were quite impressive. They are not the cheapest around but not bad. Seems to be excellent quality with a large variety of products.
Beau, the eZevent software does just what you want. I'll give you the cliffs notes version here but you first define a set of packages, then after you import the images (from up to 4 different cameras I believe...) you add the player name and team to the individual shots and the team name to the group shots. Then the software will step you through the products that each player has ordered where you can add text for trading cards, memory mates, etc... and also crop the image for that particular product. When you are all done the software creates a zip file and uploads all the necessary data to the lab.
They also offer a service where they will package the orders for you sorted however you want, players last name, team name or whatever. On the outside of the package is the player name, team name and a thumbnail image of the individual shot.
Marco Photo Service is a great lab the customer care service team is great and quick to respond to any suggestions or concerns. The products are the best around and the turnaround time you cant beat with the quality of the products. check them out www.marcophotoservice.com.
I use RCPROLAB and they have the best prices and service out of all the labs I have tried , the templates are okay but I have purchased all of mine so that is never an issue but if you do high volume it is hard to beat .80 for an 8x10
