How This Professional Photographer Makes use of Lumaprints to Develop His Enterprise

Professional photographer Darin Ashton explains how he elevates his images enterprise and delivers gallery-quality prints utilizing Lumaprints.

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Full disclosure: This article is dropped at you by Lumaprints.

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For skilled photographers, the appropriate printing service could make or break the ultimate presentation of a picture. Lumaprints, a California-based print lab, has steadily constructed a status amongst working artists for balancing affordability, high quality, and repair.

Previously, PetaPixel has shared how Lumaprints customized printing companies empowers photographers in addition to our expertise utilizing its companies to create gallery-quality prints of our favourite pictures. Now, Photographer Darin Ashton, who has labored with Lumaprints since 2016, shares how its skilled printing companies have formed his enterprise.

Finding the Right Fit

When Ashton first started trying to find knowledgeable printing associate, his objective was easy: discover a technique to offer canvas prints to his Etsy customers with out compromising on high quality or revenue. At the time, he had examined different companies however had but to search out one which struck the appropriate stability. That modified when Lumaprints’ founder, Ken, reached out with a suggestion to ship him a complimentary pattern of his work printed on canvas.

“I was immediately impressed. Ken took the time to answer all my questions and helped me get set up as a client. It was exactly the solution I’d been looking for,” Ashton recollects.

The early expertise gave Ashton confidence not solely within the product itself, but additionally within the firm’s dedication to supporting photographers who rely on printing as a part of their livelihood.

Service and Consistency

While Ashton notes that {many professional} labs ship high-quality prints, he believes Lumaprints units itself aside in areas that always go missed: service and reliability. For photographers promoting on-line, turnaround time and order consistency are simply as vital as print high quality.

“On the rare occasion I’ve needed help, their team responded quickly and provided immediate, helpful solutions,” Ashton explains.

One of probably the most precious features of the service for him has been Lumaprints’ dependable three-day manufacturing schedule. That consistency permits him to confidently set ship-by dates on marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon, figuring out he received’t be pressured into delays or excuses.

“That consistency is a game-changer for maintaining customer satisfaction and meeting marketplace expectations,” he provides.

Customization and Color Accuracy

Flexibility and precision have grow to be central to Ashton’s continued reliance on Lumaprints. In skilled images, consumer requests are hardly ever customary; they typically contain uncommon dimensions, nontraditional codecs, or particular substrate necessities. Being in a position to accommodate these distinctive calls for could make the distinction between finishing a sale or shedding a consumer to a competitor. Lumaprints’ skill to supply customized sizing all the way down to the inch, even on extra advanced substrates equivalent to aluminum or large-format canvases, provides Ashton the liberty to fulfill these requests with out compromising on high quality. This stage of adaptability has allowed him to tackle a wider vary of tasks, from gallery exhibitions to commissioned works, assured that every print will meet each his requirements and his shoppers’ expectations.

“Color accuracy is everything. Nothing else matters if the print has color issues. Lumaprints always delivers in that department,” Ashton stresses.

For Ashton, who invests appreciable effort and time into every {photograph}, correct coloration replica is crucial not just for the integrity of the picture but additionally for sustaining belief and satisfaction amongst his shoppers. Whether working with refined tonal transitions in a panorama or the colourful contrasts of a studio portrait, Lumaprints’ constant consideration to paint constancy ensures that each print displays the supposed aesthetic. This reliability permits him to give attention to his inventive course of reasonably than worrying about post-production inconsistencies or surprising deviations within the remaining product.

Paper Options and Finishes

Beyond customary prints, Ashton has explored a lot of Lumaprints’ specialty papers and finishes, every bringing a novel character that may improve particular tasks. He values having a number of choices as a result of it permits him to match the paper and end to the temper or function of a picture, whether or not he’s making ready a high-impact gallery piece, a commissioned work for a consumer, or a extra refined nice artwork print for on-line gross sales. The flexibility to pick the appropriate substrate for every mission provides him inventive freedom whereas sustaining knowledgeable presentation throughout his portfolio.

“Yes, I’ve tried several paper options, and each brings its own unique quality to my prints. I really appreciate having a range of upgraded papers to choose from for special projects that call for a distinct look,” he says.

This selection not solely permits Ashton to experiment with totally different textures and finishes but additionally ensures that every consumer receives a print that aligns with their expectations and the supposed visible affect of the piece.

For on a regular basis use, one choice has emerged as his constant go-to: the graceful matte nice artwork paper. It strikes the perfect stability between skilled presentation and price effectivity, making it a dependable selection for almost all of his orders.

“It consistently delivers a clean, professional finish at an affordable price, making it ideal for maximizing profits without compromising on quality,” he explains. The dependability of this paper permits Ashton to keep up constant outcomes throughout his catalog, giving him confidence that each print will meet each his requirements and people of his shoppers.

Client Reactions

Feedback from consumers has strengthened Ashton’s confidence within the printing service. Many of his clients spotlight not solely the picture high quality but additionally the eye to element in packaging and presentation, components that matter tremendously in on-line gross sales, the place the unboxing expertise influences repeat enterprise.

“We are thrilled with our purchases. Fast and secure boxes. High quality materials were used. I ordered one print and one printed on canvas. Prints are crisp and perfect. Darin is great communicator and very friendly. This is an authentic shop with one of a kind, high quality materials. Do not hesitate to ask questions and purchase!!!” — Carolyn, August 6, 2025

Testimonials like this, Ashton notes, are a direct reflection of the printing associate he chooses to belief.

Lumaprints Services and Offerings

Lumaprints positions itself as a complete printing associate for photographers, providing a variety of services tailor-made to skilled wants. The firm offers prints on a number of substrates together with nice artwork paper, canvas, and aluminum, with customized sizing choices all the way down to the inch to accommodate distinctive consumer requests. Specialty finishes and upgraded papers permit photographers to distinguish their work for gallery exhibitions, consumer commissions, or on-line marketplaces.

Beyond print high quality, Lumaprints helps enterprise operations with dependable manufacturing timelines. Its customary three-day turnaround helps professionals preserve predictable delivery schedules, a function notably valued by these promoting by means of Etsy, Amazon, or different on-line platforms.

Most importantly, Lumaprints provides drop delivery companies, permitting artists to satisfy orders on to shoppers with out the necessity to handle stock or deal with packaging and delivery themselves. This makes it attainable for photographers to supply a variety of merchandise, together with canvas, nice artwork paper, aluminum, and extra, with out the upfront prices or storage considerations of conventional printing.

Scaling up With Print-on-Demand

The print-on-demand mannequin additionally automates manufacturing and supply, releasing inventive professionals to give attention to capturing and modifying pictures reasonably than worrying about logistics. By eradicating the operational burden, photographers can dedicate extra time to their artwork whereas nonetheless offering shoppers with high-quality, gallery-ready prints.

This method additionally makes it simpler to scale a images enterprise. Photographers can settle for customized orders of any measurement, increase into a number of marketplaces, and experiment with new product choices, all with out taking up extra success duties. For professionals, this mix of flexibility, effectivity, and high quality is a key benefit in rising a sustainable and worthwhile images enterprise.

Customer service is one other cornerstone of Lumaprints’ method with a crew out there to supply steering, reply technical questions, and troubleshoot points, guaranteeing that photographers can depend on each the product and the help behind it. With a mixture of high-quality prints, versatile choices, and responsive service, Lumaprints is designed to be a one-stop resolution for photographers trying to elevate their work and streamline their workflow.

Balancing Quality and Profitability

For Ashton, every bit of artwork he sells represents hours of inventive and technical funding. Settling for something lower than professional-grade printing, he says, would undermine that work. What makes Lumaprints notably precious is the way in which it allows him to keep up that top customary whereas nonetheless working a worthwhile enterprise.

“I would never print on anything less—I’ve put too much effort into each image to compromise its presentation. What I love about Lumaprints is that they offer exceptional quality at an affordable price, especially for larger pieces. That allows me to stay competitive while maintaining a healthy profit margin,” he explains.

The stability of high quality, service, and price has given him the boldness to increase his choices with out the danger of shedding cash or disappointing shoppers.

Advice for Other Photographers

When requested what recommendation he would give to different photographers who should still be on the fence about shifting to knowledgeable printing service, Ashton is evident.

“If you haven’t used a professional printing service yet, now’s the time to make the switch—you’ll never go back to drugstore prints again,” he says.

“Don’t hesitate to interview potential companies; they should be able to show you exactly what they stand for. I wholeheartedly recommend Lumaprints. They strike an ideal balance between quality and affordability, and their drop shipping services are top-notch.”

For Darin Ashton, Lumaprints has grow to be greater than only a printing service; it’s a vital associate in each stage of his images enterprise. From the earliest idea of a picture to the ultimate presentation in a consumer’s fingers, the mix of constant high quality, versatile choices, and responsive help permits him to give attention to what he does greatest, creating compelling, professional-grade images. By providing specialty papers, customized sizes, and dependable turnaround occasions, Lumaprints not solely ensures that every print meets exacting requirements but additionally provides photographers the liberty to increase their choices and develop their companies confidently.

For professionals like Ashton, having a trusted associate in Lumaprints for printing is not a luxurious; it’s a necessity that allows him to keep up a aggressive edge, fulfill shoppers, and showcase his work in the absolute best gentle.

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Full disclosure: This article is dropped at you by Lumaprints.

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Image credit: Darin Ashton