Hi! I've recently tried to put in a order for WHCC but my order is still loading! It was loading last night and I left it on to come back and check it today. I go and check my status and it is still loading 100mb out of 300mb ( i think it crashed as well since it is just sitting at the same value...) Should I be resizing my pictures? And in any case shouldn't it be able to handle that load since what if someone orders a bunch of really large prints?

Thanks for the feedback as always!

Ive had this issue too. First of all use Roes and then second, if you are submitting a wedding, I break it down into category such as preceremony, ceremony, reception, details, and formals and submit 5 separate orders so it wont crash while its thinking. I order 4x6 prints of each but keep them at high res which someone told me not to do, but I was afraid to lower it any.... I love WHCC by the way!

you really should be resizing your files. a 300mb order is not only a hugely time consuming project for you, it also takes up space on WHCC's servers and is completely unnecessary for printing. you should resize each file for print, as WHCC instructs you to do when you sign up for an account with them. you need to do your homework on preparing files for WHCC and send in your files accordingly.

thanks guys! I did resize (yay 82mb compared to 300mb). What are peoples' average file loads anyhoo?

Trevor I do agree on preparing the files and I remember getting one for the test prints, is there one for images processed through Roes?
At this time i am just doing 4 X 6 at 300ppi can I go smaller for the PPI?
Amy yep I agree too WHCC service is awesome

On file sizes:

• From Lightroom, I export as JPEGs at 300 ppi and a quality setting of 85 (out of 100).
• From PS, I save as JPEG at a quality setting of 10 (out of 12). This is the recommendation from both WHCC and Mpix.

This usually keeps my file sizes around 1 MB, plus or minus. If the file is for a print over 11x14, I might bump up the quality setting but, honestly, it's hardly noticeable in the final print.

--Michael

I don't resize anything. I send orders through ROES with the files exactly as they are. No problems. A 300mb upload shouldn't take all night. You may have a problem with your internet connection speed. Try http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/ to find your speed. Mine is between 250 -300 Kbps.

Thanks guys! At my THIRD attempt it finally went through. (on Roes)
I sent one round of files at 80MB and another at 11MB.
Maybe it's just my internet server...
I've also been having my imac "sleep" while the files are being transferred...is that a no no? sorry all these silly questions

wow Michael, your files are at 1mb with 300ppi? I think just one of my images at 4 X 6 at 300ppi is at least 1mb. I do save it under quality "12". Maybe that is why?

thanks Mark i will try and check my speed out
thanks again, I appreciate the response to my silly questions

I think I remember reading somewhere you should save your JPG's at quality 10 for WHCC. Having to compress the images too much might make the image worse I suppose. Quality 10 is plenty for printing purposes.

I guess it all depends on what your original file size is. If you're shooting 6 megapixels, then maybe it doesn't matter. It does to me... uploading 17 megapixel files is not only unnecessary, but would take way more time than it's worth. I resize all of my files to the size they are to be printed, and slug the filename with the size and quantity to be printed. For instance: CLIENT001_4x6_x1.jpg or CLIENT001_8x12_x5.jpg Then I know not only what size to drag those files to in ROES, but also what quantity to set.

Cool thanks again for the feedback guys
I just got the order from WHCC! I thought I would get it monday but nope got it today! and dang, I got a lolli!! they are so awesome! oh yeah, i was calling them to ask a question and they already knew who I was too--I guess they have a system that can id the caller and the recent purchases they made and such. totally cool!! haha yes the simple things that make me smile

Same here. No problems at all sending.

As Trevor mentioned, you might want to take a quick look at their file prep specs. They specifically require that files be resized to output pixel dimensions, then saved at a JPG 10. From the lab perspective they chose these requirements to match the pricing structure of the products. By having appropriately sized files a number of things happen once the order finishes uploading, including:

1. File process time through the roes server
2. File process time through the lab workflow software, DP2 for WHCC and Frontline for us
3. Transfer time to output device
4. THroughput of the printer based on file size.
5. Storage on local file servers for archive


I understand that order have gone through for people, but keep in mind that in the end requirements are put in place not as a hindrance, but also as a piece of the entire pricing pie.

It also makes your upload fly!

Any questions? Just ask!