Monitor Calibration & Our Monitor-Match Guarantee

If you are editing your own images at home before sending them to the lab for printing, it is important that your monitor is calibrated. Don’t know what this means? Many computer monitors come from the factory preset for an office working environment which may not be ideal for viewing and editing photographic images. At Photo Express Digital Pro Lab, our color management specialists are trained to adjust your monitor so that it meets the industry standard of color for color accuracy and consistent print satisfaction.

Want to have your monitor calibrated?! We offer Monitor Calibration for our customers who would prefer to do their own color corrections and image editing, giving you the control that you want over the look of your images.

All of the printers at Photo Express Digital Pro Lab are calibrated to an industry standard of color using ICC Profiles. We offer a Monitor-Match Guarantee to all of our customers that are working on a Calibrated Monitor. If your prints don’t match your screen, then we’ll reprint your order at no charge or give you your money back!

The turn-around time to have your monitor calibrated is Same-Day. Bring your computer in before 10am and it will be ready at 5pm on the same day. Monitor Calibrations are done by appointment only.

If you have a Photography Studio, we offer In-Studio Monitor Calibrations to qualified customers. To have one of our color management specialists go out to your studio and perform an In-Studio Monitor Calibration, your studio must have a store-front and be located in San Antonio, inside Loop 1604.

All customers that are working on a Color-Calibrated Monitor are eligible to order through any of our “Standard” Print ordering softwares. If you would prefer to have the lab edit your images for color, density, brightness and contrast, then “Full Service” Printing is the best option for you.

If I’m having my monitor calibrated, what do I need to bring in?

You will need to bring in your monitor, computer, 2 power cables and monitor-to-computer connection cord (VGA, DVI, Mini DVI, etc.), as well as your operating system’s username and password.

Video to DVD Transfers

Do you still have old home movies in VHS or some other archaic format? Transfer them to DVD and bring those old home movies up-to-date while you still can!

We can transfer all your old movies to DVD so you can enjoy them with the whole family! We support lots of older formats including VHS, VHS-C, Mini DV (DVC), Hi8 Tape, and Digital 8 (DV 8). We can even transfer video from your Video Camera Hard Drive and Digital Camera.

All of our Video to DVD Transfers come with Finished Packaging. That means you can choose between a variety of pre-designed themes (Birthday, Holiday, Wedding, etc.) and add a Title so we can customize your DVD Case Wrap, Printed Disc Cover and Chapter Menu to your specifications. Your home videos will be able to sit right on the shelf with all of your favorite Hollywood movies!

There is a 2-hour maximum per DVD. Any additional footage will be put onto a separate DVD and charged as a separate transfer. We will delete out any static or blank video sections; however, custom video editing will be charged on a per hour basis.

No Copywritten material will be transferred. This includes Professional Motion Pictures and home-recorded television shows or movies.

Photo Restoration: Old Photos Made New

Don’t let those priceless old photos wither away. We want to help you preserve and restore your family’s memories for future generations to cherish.

We offer expert Photo Retouching services so that your old photos will have new life and longevity. We can either print your retouched image on one of our Professional Kodak Papers and/or burn it to a Disc so you can print reprints or enlargements later. From color-correcting faded photos to digitally repairing tears and scratches, our trained Photo Retouching and Restoration specialists are here to help.

Want someone taken out or added to a photo? We can do that too!

Pricing is determined by the amount of time required to complete the project. As all Photo Restorations are different and require different amounts of time to perfect, we ask that you bring in your photo so that we can give you an accurate quote.

Photo Retouching

It’s true. Supermodels don’t actually look flawless and perfect in real life. But with all of the recent advancements in digital imaging, why not get rid of a blemish here and a wrinkle there?! Our skilled photo retouching artists have extensive experience with all types of digital enhancements and are ready to help you look your best!

We offer a variety of Photo Retouching options. Here are just a few of the most popular ones.

• Blemish Removal
• Facial Smoothing
• Teeth Whitening
• Removal of Fly-Away Hairs
• Evening Out Discolored or Blotchy Skin
• Red Eye Removal
• Dust Removal
• and many more…

We have general pricing starting at just $5 for a number of retouching options. However each image is unique, so contact us for a quote on your specific project.

Photo Sports Balls

Sports enthusiasts, this is the product for you! With a large assortment of Photo Sports Balls to choose from, these products are a definite slam dunk!

With our Photo Sports Balls we can transfer any image, logo or text onto fully inflated sports balls. We reproduce full-color photographs on baseballs, softballs, soccer balls, hockey pucks, basketballs, volleyballs, footballs and even glow in the dark dog balls! Not only do we offer a variety of sports balls, but we even offer mini, medium and full size options for a number of these products. Photo Sports Balls make perfect keepsakes for sports teams and enthusiast of any age!

Photo Ornaments (Ceramic or Metal)

There is no better Christmas tree decoration than your family photos.  We now have two options for creating the perfect photo ornament with our Ceramic and Metal double sided photo ornaments.

We have these in various shapes.  Text and holiday graphics can be added by you or our creative staff to create the perfect holiday gift.  These products are double sided so we can put the same image or design on each side or something different on each side.  We make this product through out the year, so you can plan ahead and order them today!

Photo Clings

We can print your image or design on a material that can be stuck to a wall or whatever and then peeled off and stuck on another wall or whatever!

We can print them life size or mini size.  They can be used for life size wall decorations or in store signage. Lately, there is a real popular trend to print a life size pictures of youth team sports athletes or cheerleaders and stick them on the walls at the school gym.  The possibilities are endless!

Photo Plaques

We make photo plaques in various sizes and shapes.  Currently we offer two rectangular sizes in 8x10 and 9x12 inches.  We also offer 8" circular, a megaphone shape and a football shaped option as well.  These are printed with the same color technology as our other products which produces a quality that will amaze you.  When you add your design or ours, you end up high quality photo plaque that is sure to impress.

All plaques are notched on the back and ready to hang!

Business Portraits & Headshots

Looking for a professional Business Portrait? Set up an appointment today and use your image on business cards, websites, real estate signage, or as an 8x10 Employee of the Month photo. 

Our Business Portraits are standard headshots (head to waist), shot in our Mini Studio on a dark neutral background. A soft focus filter is used for our female clients, giving a smooth and flattering complexion. We shoot approximately 5-10 photographs and help you select the best image. This image and the outtakes are adjusted for color, contrast and brightness, and then put onto a CD while you wait. The total time typically runs about 15 minutes...perfect for your busy schedule!

If you schedule an appointment 24 hours in advance, you will receive a discount on our Standard Sitting Fee rate. However, walk-ins are welcome.

If you need a full length photo, other background colors and options, please contact the lab so we can refer to one of the many pro photographers that frequent our lab.

Portrait studio hours are 11:00am - 4:00pm Monday thru Friday and 11:00am - 3:00pm on Saturday.

Photos for US Passports, US Immigration, Canadian Passport, Canadian Citizenship & More!

Passport and immigration photos can be photographed while you wait!

At Photo Express Digital Pro Lab, we have trained passport specialists, who are familiar with a variety of different countries’ passport requirements. All Passport and Immigration photos are shot on a white background and printed on glossy paper. The photos are printed in sets (i.e., U.S. Passport requires a set of 2) and additional sets, from the same person, are usually available at a discount.

The most common passport types are U.S., Canadian and Mexican. While we are familiar with most passport specifications, it is always helpful if you have a copy of your country’s detailed passport or immigration photo requirements.

We guarantee that our passport photos will be accepted by the passport agency or we will re-shoot them at no charge.

Our studio lighting produces a very high quality image that you would never expect from a passport photo.  Just because they are passport photos, doesn't mean that they need to look like mug shots.

Passport Photo Tips:
Because passport photos are shot on a white background, we recommend that you wear a non-white shirt for the best results.
For Infant Passports, a white sheet and car-seat/stroller may be required for use as a background.

Photo ID Cards and Corporate Badges

Need something that displays your personal identification info? Our ID Cards are available while you wait!

Our ID cards include your picture, name, date of birth, social security number, address, and any other information you would like us to put on it. This service is available while-you-wait. It is important that we mention that our ID Cards are not State Certified, so depending on what you are using it for, it should not be used as a permanent replacement for a Certified ID.  


Our Corporate Badges are similar to our ID card service but the cards are punched and have a clip so you can wear them.  We can create artwork with your  company logo or you can supply the entire layout.  You can shoot the pictures or your staff can come to the lab and we'll shoot them for you.  Because each companies needs are different and we have so many options, please call the lab for pricing on this product.

Photo T-Shirts

Personalize a T-Shirt with the image of your choice. Our T-Shirts make great gifts for all ages and occasions!

Add a photo or photos to a T-Shirt. Customize it with text or have our design staff jazz up your photo with a fun and funky border. Our T-Shirts are white, Hanes Heavyweight, 50% Preshrunk Cotton and 50% Polyester. We offer a wide array of Youth and Adult sizes, ranging from Small to XXLarge.  We can print on the front or back or both.  

Pendants, Tags & Keychains

Looking for a way to show your commitment? Our Necklace Pendants or Dog Tags are a great way to show that you care! We also offer Bag Tags, ID Badges and Keychains that will add a personal touch to whatever you decide to clip them on to.

           

Our Photo Pendants turn your photos into a charming piece of jewelry that will surely attract attention. Our Pendants are sterling silver, have a Florentine edge and come with a 17” sterling beaded chain. This product is available in a ¾” or 1” size.

Our Double-Sided Plastic Keychains are very popular products. Take your favorite photo with you anywhere and make sure it's protected in this durable plastic shell.

Photo Dog Tags are a great way to keep the photo of your star athlete or military hero with you at all time. Our Dog Tags have a glossy, aluminum finish and come with a 30” aluminum bead chain.

Our ID Badges are great for company employees or schools. They slotted at the top and come with a metal snap clip for easy collar or pocket attachment. 

Photo Buttons (Round 3.5")

Our photo buttons are the perfect size at 3.5" inches.  For our sports photographers, these are the most popular specialty product ever!  But they are not just for sports, we've seen them used for class elections, political rally's, family reunions, and even funerals.  Combine some text and graphics using a circular design and you'll have a custom product that people will proudly wear.  We can add an optional magnet to the back and/or a cardboard stand as additional display options.

Photo Mouse Pads

Everyone likes options, how about two great mouse pad options?  We currently offer a "Standard Mouse Pad" and a "Metro Mouse Pad".  The Standard Mouse Pad is your typical foam rubber pad with your favorite image or design on it.  The Metro Mouse Pad is a little sleeker and contemporary.  It's thinner, has a plastic surface with a rubber non-slip bottom, with a black border around your entire image/design.  The thinner design seems to be a little more comfortable when you are working with your mouse.

These make great gifts.  They are also the perfect way to advertise you company logo/brand at your company.  Give them to employees and customers.  Check out our quantity pricing.

Die Cut Wallets on Kodak Professional Paper

These are the industry standard for senior portraits, but of coarse they can be used for baby photos, family portraits or whatever.  They fit in any card or envelope so they are perfect for sharing and sending to friends and family.  The rounded corners give them a professionally finished look.  While our Pro Lustre paper is by far the most popular, they are also available in Pro Gloss and Pro Metallic.

We print them in sets of 8 per sheet.  They are so popular that we have a permanent special on them.  We call it the "48 Die Cut Wallet Special".  The only catch is that all 48 have to be from the same image.  There are a few things you should know about this popular product.   First, they come 8 per sheet.  Second, they are cut but still in the sheet.  Third, in order to get the rounded corners and have them cut in the sheets, you lose about 1/8" all the way around the image.  It's really important to keep important elements in the photo away from the edges.  Heads, hands, text or whatever, you just can't have anything too close to the edge or its going to cut off.  Fortunately all of our ordering systems now have some sort of guide to help you see what the final image will look like.  We even have a downloadable guide for our Photoshop users.

Digital Press Holiday Cards (Double Sided Flat & Folded Cards)

Our Digital Press Holiday Cards are like Hallmark cards but with your images and text on them.  They truly are custom cards that you design or you can use our designs.  Regardless of the design, you can order one custom card or take advantage of our "Automatic Quantity Pricing (AQD)" and order hundreds of cards.

With the quality you would expect from our lab, these cards are currently available in a Linen, Gloss, or Pearl paper.  They are full bleed, full color, and come in a variety of sizes.  The most economical are the flat cards but you can get a lot more images on a folded card.  If you want something really impressive, check with our creative staff to see what they can do for you.

I almost forgot to mention that the prices not only include envelopes but the envelopes match the paper types.  Linen cards have matching linen envelopes, Pearl cards have matching pearl envelopes, and the Gloss cards have plain white envelopes.

$0.29 4x6 Proofing Services on Kodak Professional Paper

The 4x6 print is still alive and doing well! In fact, with our new $0.29 rates combined with our Kodak Professional paper, its better than ever.  Did I mention that we offer this with or without our famous lab corrections?  Thats right, your corrections or ours for the same price!

Perfect for the portrait or wedding photographer that needs to give large quantities of prints to a client, or that family vacation or party.  Whatever you choose, you can't go wrong.  So whats the catch? Ok, there are some requirements to get this awesome pricing.  We have a minimum order of $10.00 and you can't mix any other sizes with your order.  That's it, now that wasn't too bad, right?

Fine Art Prints

Photographs look beautiful when you order Fine Art Prints on our Hahnemule Photo Rag. It is a bright white, 100% cotton, acid-free paper designed specially for optimum photographic prints. The paper has a smooth surface with the slightest calendering, and yields great D-max, depth and color saturation. Photo rag prints are a favorite of photographers and artists, offering a unique, museum-quality feel. Pigment based inks ensure that prints last approximately 80 years without fading.

Gallery Wrap Canvas Prints

By far, one of our most popular products.  These prints do not need a frame, they are ready to hang.  In fact, they are not designed to be framed and most framers can't frame them.


We incorporate our Canvas prints with a different finishing option using thicker stretcher bars.  We currently offer these in 1.5" and 2.5" depths.  The 1.5" is the standard but the 2.5 definitely make more of an impact.  The thing to keep in mind about these is that the image wraps around the sides of the stretcher bars.  If you shoot your subjects too tight, you might have trouble making it work on a gallery wrap.  When ordering through our ROES software, you will see where the image wraps and if your going to have issues.  If it won't work, contact our restoration department for to see what they can come up with.  Sometimes we add a color border to the edge, rather than wrapping the actual image.  Other times, we can extend the background or mirror it around the edges and it looks perfectly natural.  Please feel free to contact the lab if you need help before you place your order.

Canvas Prints (Loose/Rolled or standard stretched)

Lots of places offer canvas prints, but few do them technically correct.  It starts with custom color management to get the color correct, then the image is printed directly on the canvas and is cured for 24-48 hours, then we spray each canvas with a UV glossy coating.  The finished result is amazing!

Our loose/rolled canvas prints are intended to be stretched mounted by your framer.  We include two extra inches of canvas material around the entire image so they can easily finish the print.

We also offer standard stretching services as well.  Our standard 1/2" stretcher bars are the standard for artists and fit in most standard frames.  Let us turn your images into works of art!  Consult with one of our creative staff to add painting or collage effects to your images.

Large Format Premium Lustre Prints

When it needs to be big, we're printing those on our wide format printer.  We can print as large as 44"x100", maybe larger!  We have yet to have someone order a print larger than 40"x60" but if you are reading this and need something larger, please contact us so we can give you a quote.

We use the same color management technology on this printer as we do on our traditional lab printers, so the color and quality are matched.  We offer mounting services on prints up to 40"x60", so anything bigger would have to be unmounted.  I always recommend our UV Lustre laminate as an added layer of protection for these huge prints.  It adds a little extra but its worth it!

Kodak Metallic Paper (not to be confused with our Metal prints)

Kodak Metallic prints are usually referred to as a "Specialty" paper.  That's because this paper is really different.  The white points (or base) of the paper are actually silver looking.

When you combine this silver base with photos of metal, designer graphics, or even rich skin tones, you get images that almost look 3-D.  I don't recommend using this paper for all images, but when you find the right images, the effects/results are amazing!  Most people do a little experimenting until they get a good feel for the Metallic.  I usually recommend adding some contrast so you can see some white points and get the full effect of that silver base.

It's important to note that we have another line of products called Metal Prints, which are actually prints on Metal or aluminum.  It's a totally different product and process.  Check them both out!

Kodak Endura Professional Paper in Lustre and Glossy Finish

There simply is no paper better than Kodak Endura Professional paper. It is simply the best! We've tested the others and consistently Kodak professional is always better.

Many labs have switched to Fuji paper because it is a good paper and less expensive, but our lab has always been focussed on quality and Kodak is the clear winner in that department. Richer, deeper blacks, more natural skin tones combined with an archival rating that can't be beat! When you combine Kodak Professional paper with top notch color management, you will see the difference. It's no wonder that all of the largest pro labs in the United States use it.

Photo lab factoids:

• A lot of customers are surprised to find that we actually project your digital images on the paper and then develop it in chemistry and then dry it, just like we did when you shot film.
• Kodak designates Lustre as "E" surface which has almost a small pebble type of finish and is our default paper at the lab. Glossy is known as "F" surface, and Matte is known as "N" surface. We still run some Kodak amateur Matte paper because some of our customers like the flat finish, but the Professional Lustre is really the best way to go.

Laser Cut Photo Statues

Our newest line of products are the Laser Cut Photo Statues. Currently available in both 5x7 and 8x10 portrait and landscape orientations. We mount your photo on 1/8" black plexi and then cut the image out with a laser cutter. We include a 1/4" black plexi stand that can be customized by etching some text or a logo into the stand for an additional fee.

We've been asked for this product since almost the day we opened our doors 17 years ago, but its finally here now! Since the product is so new to us, our creative staff haven't had time to play, but I can't wait to see what they come up with. The possibilities are endless!

In our long standing tradition of producing products in house (so we can control quality and turnaround times) we just could not send this service out. The process is very labor intensive and has many steps, so we unfortunately can't rush this one, but its worth the wait.

Print Mounting Options

While many people just need prints, our mounting options definitely have there place. If you're a photographer, they make a nice upgrade to any print and can save you customer some time when they go to get it framed. If you're going to buy an "Off the shelf" frame, you really should mount the print, especially the larger ones. You don't want those prints to slip or buckle, so mounting them on artboard or styrene is the way to go.

For display and competition prints our 3/16 inch black gator mounts will keep them flat and meets PPA competition print guideline requirements. The 1/2 inch black gator mounts look really nice but is too think for competition prints. Some people like to add mounting hardware to the back and hang them on the wall while others will put them on an easel for display. Our Standout Mounts are ready to hang, they have a finished black plastic edge and holes on the back. They are light weight, so a small nail in the wall is all it takes.

The picture shows each of these options. From top down: Styrene (white plastic), Artboard, 3/16" Black Gator, 1/2" Black Gator, and Standout mounts with black plastic edges.

The Ultimate Photo Puzzle

I'm happy to announce that we are back in the puzzle business and you won't be disappointed!  This isn't one of those thin card board puzzles.  Nope, this is a super high quality hardboard material with a high gloss finish.  The image quality will truly amaze you.  We tried the thin cardboard ones many years ago and discontinued it because of the poor quality.  When we found this new hardboard product, we knew that we had found a winner.  They come pre-assembled in a clear flat box.  Check out the photo, you can see the quality!

Photo Coasters (Set of 4 with stand)

Place your favorite beverage on these with no worries! Another recently upgraded product, we previously offered these on ceramic but the new and improved version are much more durable and the image quality can't be beat. These are made of the same hardboard material as our Photo Puzzle. The process we use to create the photo coasters actually infuses the image into the coaster material, so your images will not smear, smudge, or run. These can be ordered all from one image or 4 separate images. Add text or other graphics to make them even more personalized. They come with the nifty stand to keep them organized and handy when you need them and they make the perfect gift.