Blow Up Lab is always experimenting and following technological advancements. As a result, The Lab prides itself on its ability to offer its clients custom, state-of-the-art digital production with old-fashioned, personalized service. The Blow Up Lab conversion from traditional, chemical photo processors to a 100% green, digital system 15 years ago was an avant-garde transformation.
We were the first photo lab in the area to shut down the chemical printers, which were being monitored by the EPA for silver in waste-water and produced toxic fumes. This significant change represented a positive, paradigm shift in the industry, one in which we were proud to be a leader. This green system occurred by eliminating all old equipment and installing a variety of state-of-the-art computers, software, scanners and printers.
We were the first photo lab in the area to shut down the chemical printers, which were being monitored by the EPA for silver in waste-water and produced toxic fumes. This significant change represented a positive, paradigm shift in the industry, one in which we were proud to be a leader. This green system occurred by eliminating all old equipment and installing a variety of state-of-the-art computers, software, scanners and printers.
Services
Blow Up Lab is full-service printing business. That means, besides printing services, we offer a full array of pre- and post-printing services. They include art and photography services, file preparation services, mounting, laminating and installation services, restoration of print media, legal print and scan services, and packing and shipping services.
Blow Up produces high-quality digital prints. Our Epson, HP, Canon, large-format roll printers can produce color or black and white images at any size up to 64 inches wide by 25 feet long on a variety of papers, canvas, natural & synthetic fabrics, films and vinyl. All of our printers utilize archival or eco-friendly inks.
Blow Up Lab offers full scanning services of originals, prints, transparencies and negatives. Our state-of-the-art, oversized scanning area with custom-built 8 foot lights and moving walls, combined with our unique software, can make up to one gigabyte, 16 bit, high-resolution, digital files from single panel, original art up to 5 feet x 8 feet.
Our UV light inhibiting laminates and hard-coat polycarbonates provide the ultimate protection against fingerprints and moisture. Our comprehensive wood shop gives us the capacity to custom-built unique, eye-catching props, life-size cut-outs and promotional displays.
We offer Foamcor, Gator Board, Sintra and Aluminum panel as our standard mounting substrates with many other options available; including canvas stretching on wood bars and acrylic face mounting.
We offer Foamcor, Gator Board, Sintra and Aluminum panel as our standard mounting substrates with many other options available; including canvas stretching on wood bars and acrylic face mounting.
Blow Up Lab prints fine art and photography on acid-free, museum "rag" papers, cotton blend canvases and other natural fabrics. Our professional fine art printers utilize archival, pigment-based, aqueous ink systems rated to last approximately 75 to 200 years against fading, depending on the ink and media combination.
Reviews (22)
Agata A.
Mar 24, 2020
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Frank one of the owners I had the privilege of talking to is so awesome! He helped me with a printing task when a lot of other places could not, and his proactive, friendly attitude towards someone he didn't know speaks volumes. I would definitely recommend this lab and business, don't even hesitate!
Jaya Y.
Feb 14, 2020
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C. G.
Sep 07, 2019
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Positive experience. Wanted to have several digital pictures made into high quality prints for 5x7 frames. Greg was helpful in providing options for me to look at for the prints (in terms of paper quality, color quality, etc.) and prints were delivered within 2-3 days. Was happy to be supporting a local business as well. Prints and paper quality were great.
Rob Mangum
Jul 17, 2019
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Heidi P.
Jan 17, 2019
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These folks are great! I needed a digital image cropped and retouched and filtered to print out at 6'. They understood exactly what look I was going for and made suggestions that totally improved the final product. They were knowledgeable about paper and framing and communicated in an easy-to-understand and timely manner. I wish I had more giant print needs so I could work with them again!
H. R. G.
Dec 21, 2018
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Faunus Lucas
Oct 29, 2018
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Sarah Klinger
Aug 12, 2018
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Colby Ward
May 28, 2018
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Marna Braunstein Clark
Nov 08, 2017
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Peter R.
Oct 06, 2017
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Holly Temple
Jun 29, 2017
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I've been a designer for over 25 years and I can honestly say that Blow Up Lab delivered the best quality print I have ever seen. I had asked them to print an image on a 60 x 80 canvas and they were so nice and helpful and worked with me extensively to get the results I wanted which was stunning!! They have me as a customer for life.
James M.
Apr 07, 2017
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I've worked with a lot of print shops and these guys are amazing. I had very specific requirements doing large prints onto a medium that had to be translucent and mounted extremely flat onto a backlight for scientific purposes.
Greg helped me choose the right materials, mounting method and type of printing ink to use that would avoid overheating the print medium and causing the canvas to warp.
I intend to use their services in the future for scientific and artistic purposes and will recommend them strongly to others: a real pleasure.
Greg helped me choose the right materials, mounting method and type of printing ink to use that would avoid overheating the print medium and causing the canvas to warp.
I intend to use their services in the future for scientific and artistic purposes and will recommend them strongly to others: a real pleasure.
Danielle K.
Nov 11, 2016
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I wanted a gigantic enlargement of my favorite wedding photo, but I had one problem: my wedding photographer cut off the lettering on the canvas behind us that read "Until Death Do Us Part". I got married on Halloween, so the canvas was fitting for our themed wedding. Nonetheless, I sent the photo to Blow Up Lab and asked if there was anything that could be done. Greg got back to me the same day via email, was so helpful, and said he'd give it his best shot. Well, Greg did just that! He worked magic on that photo and even on the poster sized enlargement, there is no visible
Chester T.
Sep 03, 2016
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Go see Greg and the fantastic team at Blow Up Lab! We are total novices, but needed a piece of op-art we designed blown up to approx 60" x 60" and backed. Greg took his time and walked us through the various options they had. We loved two options, had proofs made, then tweeked the color and had another one made. Perfect!
They were quick, professional, friendly and priced right. Go local. Go to Blow Up Lab.
They were quick, professional, friendly and priced right. Go local. Go to Blow Up Lab.
Claudia B.
Oct 15, 2014
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The guys at Blow Up Lab go above and beyond - I have gone to them to have all of my artwork photographed and recently they kindly did a pro-bono project for me, photographing four large paintings of a woman I am working with who lives in an SRO building in the Tenderloin and is in hospice care.
The entire team was amazing - the photographs were of highest quality with a same day turnaround and completed with love. I came back to them cleaning all her frames' glass so that the artwork would be glowing when I returned it to her. So unnecessary for the services they were offering but hugely
The entire team was amazing - the photographs were of highest quality with a same day turnaround and completed with love. I came back to them cleaning all her frames' glass so that the artwork would be glowing when I returned it to her. So unnecessary for the services they were offering but hugely
Diane S.
Aug 18, 2014
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BlowUp Lab is one of those rare and wonderful finds.
I worked with Greg and Max on a 7' x 4' donor wall project. They helped me with everything. They even directed me to other vendors they worked with for things they couldn't supply. They were patient, professional, fun, honest, did beautiful work and went above and beyond on every part of the project. Oh and when I told them, at the eleventh hour that we were doing 2 donor walls with the same turnaround, they didn't blink an eye. They also worked some magic on the color of the large photo. Greg was so organized and kept
I worked with Greg and Max on a 7' x 4' donor wall project. They helped me with everything. They even directed me to other vendors they worked with for things they couldn't supply. They were patient, professional, fun, honest, did beautiful work and went above and beyond on every part of the project. Oh and when I told them, at the eleventh hour that we were doing 2 donor walls with the same turnaround, they didn't blink an eye. They also worked some magic on the color of the large photo. Greg was so organized and kept
Phillip H.
Oct 10, 2011
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These guys are really great. I create artwork that tends to be difficult to mount, because of the texture and materials used. I had been going to General Graphics because they are the best in town. Unfortunately, they're not cheap (mounting artwork on aluminum looks like a million bucks, and it costs just shy of that!). Their turnaround was usually two weeks. Period. Never sooner.
These guys were able to do the work--just as good, CHEAPER, and faster.
SOLD.
They now have a loyal client in me. And they should have one in you too.
These guys were able to do the work--just as good, CHEAPER, and faster.
SOLD.
They now have a loyal client in me. And they should have one in you too.
Nicole L.
Jul 19, 2010
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I have known Frank and team at The Blow Up Lab for over 5 years and they are simply awesome! The printing is top of the line and the customer service is incredible. I am a fine artist and often they create prints that are more perfect than the originals.
This is a local, family-owned business that enriches our beautiful city. If you need custom, beautiful prints, especially if you are in the arts or graphics, only use them! You're going to love Frank!
This is a local, family-owned business that enriches our beautiful city. If you need custom, beautiful prints, especially if you are in the arts or graphics, only use them! You're going to love Frank!
David C.
Apr 23, 2010
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I just tried the Blow-Up Lab for some giclee prints and was quite pleased with the outcome.
The owner, Frank, talked with me about the project before I submitted it. He explained what he could and couldn't do and what he needed to make the best possible print.
One week after I gave him my files, the order was done as promised.
I'm a fan and can't understand the poor ratings from the other two Yelpers. I'll return for more.
The owner, Frank, talked with me about the project before I submitted it. He explained what he could and couldn't do and what he needed to make the best possible print.
One week after I gave him my files, the order was done as promised.
I'm a fan and can't understand the poor ratings from the other two Yelpers. I'll return for more.
Mimi L.
Jan 17, 2009
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Miracle Workers ! Fast, friendly service - TOP NOTCH in my books !
I called Blow Up Lab this morning , inquiring how to have an enlargement done from a photo taken on my iPhone. I needed the finished product by this Sunday for my friend's surprise birthday dinner.
The staff at Blow Up Lab took care of me like a VIP. Frank, in particular, was so very helpful. He was prompt in getting back to my e-mail, walked me through the whole process on how to transfer the image , explained my options ( canvass vs. photographic paper).
Normally, the turnaround time for canvass would be
I called Blow Up Lab this morning , inquiring how to have an enlargement done from a photo taken on my iPhone. I needed the finished product by this Sunday for my friend's surprise birthday dinner.
The staff at Blow Up Lab took care of me like a VIP. Frank, in particular, was so very helpful. He was prompt in getting back to my e-mail, walked me through the whole process on how to transfer the image , explained my options ( canvass vs. photographic paper).
Normally, the turnaround time for canvass would be
Menden S.
Nov 19, 2008
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Completely unhelpful & incompetent!! I worked with Douglas Stemler on a restoration & enlargement project and I'm still waiting for him to return my email after 2 weeks.
Also very uncreative & limited in technique... their restoration process is to scan photos which produces really poor quality depending on the orginal paper used.
I went to a private photographer & he said that the best way to restore photos is to professionally photograph them & restore/enlarge them from there. His method proved much more effective!! You would think a professional lab would know that
Also very uncreative & limited in technique... their restoration process is to scan photos which produces really poor quality depending on the orginal paper used.
I went to a private photographer & he said that the best way to restore photos is to professionally photograph them & restore/enlarge them from there. His method proved much more effective!! You would think a professional lab would know that
