CompSoc

CompSoc can provide large, high quality inkjet prints to both members and non-members. Our printing equipment only works out cost effective for large prints. If you want small prints (anything less than A4) Jessops will be far more cost efficient for you.

We do not make any modifications to your photos, unless explicitly asked. Please see the Modifications section for more information.

Prices

A3+ (483×330mm)
Members: £2.00
Non-members: £2.50

A4 (297×210mm)
Members: £1.25
Non-members: £1.50

Discount rates

CompSoc and the University of Manchester Photographic Society (photoSoc) have teamed up to provide prints to photoSoc members at CompSoc member prices. All you need to do to benefit from member prices is show us your photoSoc membership card.

Paper

We currently offer just one paper type but in the future hope to add more to our range. All paper and ink is of archival quality and colours will stay true for 20 years, if stored correctly!

Gloss: Lyson Pro Photo Gloss, 240gsm

Submission

We accept any image format that Adobe Photoshop CS2 can open. This includes TIFFs (compressed or not), JPEGs and PNGs.

We do not currently provide a web upload form. Submission can be done electronically by emailing printing@compsoc.man.ac.uk with a link to the image you want printing (please do not include large attachments), or by dropping off a CD to the CompSoc office (see Contacting CompSoc for directions). If you are submitting a print electronically please see the Paying section, below.

Alternatively, you can arrange a time to come in to the office and transfer your file via a memory stick. You can make any adjustments you want on our machine, which is calibrated against the printer and inks.

Modifications

As previously mentioned, CompSoc will not make any modifications to photos you submit.

Due to technical reasons very high quality images are required to get the best from the printing system we have. We can optionally resize your image with a tool called Genuine Fractals, to obtain better results.

You can arrange to come in and use the CompSoc printing machine to make any image manipulations you want. Depending on our free time, it is possible we can assist you in making changes. Please contact printing@compsoc.man.ac.uk to arrange a time to come in.

Paying

If you choose to submit your photo electronically we ask that you pay by PayPal at the same time. Our PayPal address is fees@compsoc.man.ac.uk. Please add an extra 5% to the final amount to cover PayPal fees.

Payment in person can be in the form of cash or cheque.

It might be possible to set up an account with us if you are doing a lot of printing. Please email printing@compsoc.man.ac.uk to ask about this, or speak to us in person.

Colour profiles

Under construction. Please email printing@compsoc.man.ac.uk if you require colour profiles.

Technical details/specifications

We have an Epson Stylus Photo 1290, which is a professional-quality inkjet printer with six inks.

A Lyson Photonic Continuous Ink System (CIS) is used to provide colour profiled archival quality inks at a fraction of the cost of Epson ink.

The 1290 is an excellent quality printer capable of superb prints up to a size of A3+ in both black and white and colour. Sample and reference prints are available in the CompSoc office.

Current digital cameras simply do not have the resolution required to obtain best results from our printer. A 34MP digital sensor is required to get best results at a print size of A3+. Most digital cameras are in the region of six to 16MP as of 2006. As mentioned earlier, we can optionally use a powerful upsampling tool to increase the resolution of submitted prints. This tool is a tried and tested method to get optimal results from our printer. If you are interested you can read reviews of the tool at The Luminous Landscape, KenRockwell.com and CameraHobby.

If you have any further technical questions about our printing setup please don't hesitate to contact printing@compsoc.man.ac.uk.