Which Order Entry Software Is Right For You?

For the majority of wedding & portrait photographers - and for low- or medium-volume undergrad and sports photographers who do not need digital services like CDs, stickers, directories or ID cards- we recommend using the ROES order entry software. It is easy to get started, and it's free. Create sophisticated products using templates and the pager tool. Learn more about ROES.

For customers using ROES we also recommend ImageQuix to display images on the Internet. This easy-to-use software allows you to sell images online, and even has an option to enable the orders to be sent directly to our lab for printing. Learn more about ImageQuix.

If you're a wedding photographers specializing in digital photo albums, we recommend LabPrints. While the basic ordering module is free, the low cost Digital Studio LP(tm) system is a comprehensive suite of marketing, ordering, album design, and presentation tools including the ability to put images online for customer orders. Learn more about LabPrints.

For high-volume undergrad and sports photographers or for those who need digital services like CDs, stickers, directories or ID cards, we recommend PhotoLynx. This software package is specifically designed to automate the matching of student images and data to create virtually any kind of school or sports product. Learn more about PhotoLynx.

In addition to our standard order entry products, for pre-qualified customers we offer custom order entry solutions such as ProShots, direct-to-print, and CDs with runsheets for undergrad, sports or event photographers. For specific details about any of these programs call customer service at 888.858.8084.

Opening an Account

The easiest way to open an account is to call our toll free number 888.858.8084 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Our staff will take a few minutes to collect your business information, assign you a customer ID, and answer any questions. If you plan to use the ROES software, you can send us your first order immediately without waiting to call.

Image Requirements

Our lab uses state of the art digital printers and Kodak professional paper to create a 100% digital workflow. If you shoot using film, it will be processed and scanned to produce digital files for you to use in any of our order entry software, for retouching, and printing. If you shoot using digital cameras exclusively, please read the notes below to ensure the best quality prints.

File Size

If you use a professional digital camera set to capture the largest file size, the image file will produce any print from minis through 30x40". Don't resize or crop the images from your camera - our lab production system handles all resizing and cropping during printing.

Image Format

Digital images should be sent to us as the best quality JPEG (also called level 10 or 12 in Photoshop). If your camera saves RAW files, they should be converted in Photoshop or the camera's software to the JPEG format (with the .jpg extension) before importing the images into any of our software ordering products. If you plan to modify your images in Photoshop, save your working files in the .PSD format, then save the final file as a JPEG level 10.

A note about JPEG compression: given the high quality of the today's JPEG compression algorithms, at level 10 (or higher) you do not need to worry about image degradation. Best quality JPEG digital images produce the same quality print as RAW or TIFF formats, drastically decrease hard drive space, and reduce the time required to upload images to the lab. Any artifacts on prints are the result of the limitations of your digital camera, not JPEG compression.

Color Profiles

By default, most professional digital cameras save images using the sRGB ICC color profile. You should confirm that your camera embeds the sRGB profile in each digital image. If no profile is embedded, our system will assume you are using sRGB. For photographers who are familiar with ICC color profiles, we will also accept embedded Adobe 1998 ICC profiles.

Sharpening

You do not need to batch sharpen every image as part of your workflow. Our printers apply a minimal amount of sharpening automatically, which we have found provides the best possible prints.

Color Correction

As part of our full-service digital workflow, our Quality Control department inspects and color corrects each image before sending it to the printer. Therefore, for most photographers we suggest you leave images "as is" after you've taken the shot. Cropping, resizing, applying color corrections or filters may create a pleasing image on your monitor, but may result in a less than perfect print. Our order entry software gives you the ability to add text, borders, B&W, sepia or to create composites so you don't have to do it in Photoshop or similar programs.

For those photographers who want to take control of their own color and density, we also offer JD Econo Printing. This service can save you money if you are willing to take full responsibility for the density and color of each print. Read more to discover whether JD Econo Printing may be a good option for you.

To maintain the lowest possible price per print, undergrad and package printing are analyzed by camera as defined by the beginning and ending slate shots. All packages between the slates are printed at the same average color and density. Therefore, consistent exposure and lighting is always required.

Calibrating your Monitor

Because every image is color corrected at our lab, you don't need to worry about your monitor matching the professional quality of our finished prints. However, if you show images to customers you'll want them to reasonably match the prints in both color and density. For new customers, the simplest way to achieve this is to open the calibration file found on the Welcome Kit CD and visually match it to the calibration print included in the kit. To order your free calibration print call us at 888.858.8084 or click here.

Start by making sure you are viewing both the image and the print in a neutrally lit room. You can approximate neutral lighting by using both indirect florescent and incandescent (light bulb) fixtures in the same room. The resulting light should be bright enough to read in, but should not create any hot spots or reflections on the monitor. For a more accurate color match between your monitor and prints, you will need to put the print in a light box next to the monitor.

For those photographers who want to take monitor calibration to the next level, we recommend you purchase either the Gretag-Macbeth Eye-One or X-Rite Optix. The primary advantage of these tools is that they will enable you to verify that you are using the proper exposure settings on your digital camera. If your images are too dark or too light, we will fix them at the lab. However, you may have to temporarily adjust your monitor to display the images to your customers.

If you want to verify final print density and color, we encourage you to send us a free test order for up to five 8x10" prints. Simply enter the words "TEST ORDER" in the comments field of your order.

Using ROES to Send Your First Order

Select the Sign up for a ROES Account option. You must be connected to the Internet to sign up for and install ROES.
Enter your name, studio name, e-mail account, and phone number. Click the Submit button.
In a few minutes you will receive an e-mail with an account number, FTP ID and password. Print this e-mail, as you will need to enter this information into ROES. Use the same information to install ROES on every PC in your studio.
Select the Install ROES option. Your PC (or Mac) will go to the Java installation page. In a moment you will see the Java Loading message.
Your PC (or Mac) should automatically install the latest version of Sun Microsystems Java. If you aren't notified after a few minutes of a successful Java download, or the automatic download fails, click the Java Download Page link on the page to manually install Java, then refresh the page.
Once Java is installed, you will see a JD Photo Imaging ROES window and a Loading Templates window. Be patient while the ROES application is installed.
You may see a Security Warning window informing you that ROES is requesting access to your PC. Click the "Start" button to allow ROES to complete the installation.
Take a moment to read the Tip of the Day. It contains valuable information about the latest products and services available from the lab.
Completely fill out the Customer Information window, including your new Account number, FTP Account, and FTP password printed on the e-mail.
Click the Folder button to browse to the folder of images from which you will place your order.

For detailed instructions on using ROES, review the online manual. You can get answers to the most frequently asked questions by clicking the ROES FAQ link. You can also click the question mark icon in ROES at any time for help.

If this is your first order, you must also complete the Shipping and Billing Information sheet and fax it to the lab at 810.239.5529. Click here to download a copy. Orders cannot be shipped without this information. If you checked the Tax Exempt box in ROES, you must include your Tax ID number in the Billing information or you will be charged sales tax.

If you are sending images on a CD or film for printing, always include an order form. You can download a copy of the order form here.

Using LabPrints to Send Your First Order

Call our toll free number 888.858.8084 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Our staff will take a few minutes to collect your business information, assign you a customer ID, and answer any questions
Windows Users: Select the Install LabPrints for Windows option.
Mac users: Download the Mac Installation file, save it to your desktop, and open it using Stuffit Expander.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the software installation. Once installation is complete, start LabPrints.
Enter a new project name to create a New Project. IMPORTANT: you must click the Choose Lab and Find More Labs buttons to select JD Photo Imaging from the list of labs to download a catalog of products for your first order. Orders created without the JD catalog cannot be sent to JD Photo Imaging, and will need to be completely re-entered.
Click JD Photo Imaging, Inc. and click the Add Selected Lab button.
Click the Add folder button. You can add images into a New Project, but don't order prints until you register the software and check for updates as described below..
Once the image(s) are loaded, from the Tools menu select Software Registration. Enter your studio's name, address, and your e-mail address. Make sure you are connected to the Internet, then submit your information. In a few moments, LabPrints will e-mail you a temporary password. Type the password into the LabPrints box and click the Next button. LabPrints will let you replace the temporary password with a new one you have selected.
From the Tools menu, select the Check for Updates option. This will download any recent additions to the JD lab, as well as updates to the LabPrints software. After the updates are successfully installed, LabPrints will restart.

For detailed instructions on using the LabPrints software, from the help menu view the online manual or any of the online video tutorials.

To submit your order, from the Invoicing Tab click the "Create Lab Order" button. Fill out the Contact Information & Notes window completely, including the Account number assigned to your studio by the lab. Enter any additional services, and then click the Finish button to submit the order online. Alternatively, you may zip the order up and copy the files to CD-R to mail to the lab.

If this is your first order, you must complete the Shipping and Billing Information sheet and fax it to the lab at 810.239.5529. Click here to download a copy. Orders cannot be shipped without this information. If you don't want us to add sales tax to every order, you must include your Tax ID number in the Billing information or you will be charged.

If you are sending images on a CD or film for printing, always include an order form. You can download a copy of the order form here.