Finding a Quality Photo Finisher

1. Ask a friend who takes a lot of pictures to recommend a lab for photo finishing. Or compare the work of different labs by shooting the same subjects--people and landscapes, with and without flash--on several rolls of 12-exposure film and taking them to different processing labs.

2. Ask how long the lab has been in business and if it services any studios or professional photographers. If you don’t see much film hanging on racks and there are few customers in the shop, you might be wise to choose another photo finisher. The best ones are busy.

3. Inquire if there are discounts or special promotions available, or if the lab has a photo club, for which you pay a yearly fee and receive discounts on film, processing, enlargements and other supplies.

4. If you don’t need your prints quickly, you may save money by waiting a day or so. Ask if the lab has a tiered-pricing plan.

5. You may get better results by taking your film in at midweek, instead of on the busiest days--Mondays and Tuesdays.

6. When you compare lab prices, be sure to check differences in print sizes. One photo finisher might offer a better price, but the prints could be 3 1/2-by-5-inch, instead of the more popular 4-by-6-inch ones.

7. Put a label with your name and address on the film in case the envelope is lost.

8. If you’re not satisfied with the color balance of your prints, ask the photo finisher to redo them. Reputable labs will be happy to reprint.