Lecture: Metro Printing Lab

Metro, based in London, came in to discuss their printing methods with us students who may need professional printed quality to display for exhibitions. This became very useful and will certainly come in handy further along my second and third year. 

Website: www.metro-print.co.uk

AND www.metroimaging.co.uk

Some of the best photographers have used Metro such as Mario Testino, Wolfgang Tillman; as well as other famous locations and companies like The Natural History/Science Museum, Time and Magnum Photos.

Metro have a pro lab which is a low volume production house and an in-house mounting & framing department.

Mounting material available

• foam board, also known as Foamex
• Aluminium 
• Reverse perspex

Framing

• Recommended by the Metro speaker, was to avoid glass where reflections can be made
• Go unglazed with no cover

Why is exhibiting important? Metro speaker asked...

• It shows the best display of images 
• Defines examples of your images
• When exhibiting, always test the images on a smaller, cheaper scale before made professionally
• Also when exhibiting, make sure you have sorted printing arrangements with plenty of notice before submission.

Choice of Paper?

• Cost can be expensive but for the best quality, the price will show for
• Aesthetics add to the work, such as texture may be effective as well as the image presented
• Practicalities may need to be looked into if you need the image printed to be durable

Types of Printing...

• Z-type which is the industry standard
• Ink jet
• Direct media e.g slate