Professional photographer Darin Ashton has transformed his photography business through a strategic partnership with Lumaprints, a California-based print lab that has become an essential component of his commercial success. Since 2016, Ashton has relied on the company's professional printing services to deliver gallery-quality prints to his clients while maintaining profitable margins and consistent service standards.
Ashton's journey to finding the right printing partner began with a simple but crucial business goal: offering high-quality canvas prints to his Etsy customers without sacrificing quality or profitability. After testing various services without finding the right balance, his search ended when Lumaprints founder Ken reached out with a complimentary sample offer. "I was immediately impressed," Ashton recalls. "Ken took the time to answer all my questions and helped me get set up as a client. It was exactly the solution I'd been looking for."
While many professional labs deliver high-quality prints, Ashton believes Lumaprints distinguishes itself through superior service and reliability – factors often overlooked but critical for online sellers. The company's consistent three-day production schedule has become invaluable for his business operations, allowing him to confidently set ship-by dates on marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon. "That consistency is a game-changer for maintaining customer satisfaction and meeting marketplace expectations," he explains. When issues do arise, the company's responsive customer service team provides quick solutions, ensuring minimal disruption to his business flow.
Flexibility and precision have become central to Ashton's continued partnership with Lumaprints, particularly given the unique demands of professional photography clients. Custom requests often involve unusual dimensions, non-traditional formats, or specific substrate requirements that can make or break a sale. Lumaprints' ability to offer custom sizing down to the inch, even on complex substrates like aluminum or large-format canvases, gives Ashton the freedom to accept diverse projects ranging from gallery exhibitions to commissioned works.
Color accuracy remains Ashton's top priority when evaluating print quality. "Color accuracy is everything. Nothing else matters if the print has color issues. Lumaprints always delivers in that department," he stresses. This reliability in color reproduction is essential not only for maintaining the integrity of his artistic vision but also for building trust and satisfaction among his clients. Whether working with subtle tonal transitions in landscapes or vibrant contrasts in studio portraits, consistent color fidelity allows him to focus on his creative process rather than worrying about post-production inconsistencies.
Ashton has extensively explored Lumaprints' specialty papers and finishes, each offering unique characteristics that can enhance specific projects. This variety allows him to match the paper and finish to the mood or purpose of each image, whether preparing high-impact gallery pieces, commissioned client works, or subtle fine art prints for online sales. "I've tried several paper options, and each brings its own unique quality to my prints. I really appreciate having a range of upgraded papers to choose from for special projects that call for a distinct look," he says.
For everyday use, Ashton has settled on smooth matte fine art paper as his consistent choice. "It strikes the ideal balance between professional presentation and cost efficiency, making it a reliable choice for the majority of my orders," he explains. "It consistently delivers a clean, professional finish at an affordable price, making it ideal for maximizing profits without compromising on quality." This dependability allows him to maintain consistent results across his catalog while meeting both his standards and client expectations.
Client feedback has consistently reinforced Ashton's confidence in his printing service choice. Customers frequently highlight not only image quality but also attention to detail in packaging and presentation – factors crucial for online sales where the unboxing experience influences repeat business. One recent testimonial from customer Carolyn demonstrates this satisfaction: "We are thrilled with our purchases. Fast and secure boxes. High quality materials were used. I ordered one print and one printed on canvas. Prints are crisp and perfect. Darin is great communicator and very friendly. This is an authentic shop with one of a kind, high quality materials."
Lumaprints positions itself as a comprehensive printing partner for photographers, offering prints on multiple substrates including fine art paper, canvas, and aluminum with custom sizing options to accommodate unique client requests. The company's specialty finishes and upgraded papers allow photographers to differentiate their work for various markets. Beyond print quality, Lumaprints supports business operations with reliable production timelines and drop shipping services, enabling artists to fulfill orders directly to clients without managing inventory or handling packaging and shipping themselves.
The print-on-demand model has proven particularly valuable for scaling photography businesses. It automates production and delivery, freeing creative professionals to focus on capturing and editing images rather than managing logistics. This approach enables photographers to accept custom orders of any size, expand into multiple marketplaces, and experiment with new product offerings without additional fulfillment responsibilities. Customer service remains another cornerstone of Lumaprints' approach, with a team available to provide guidance, answer technical questions, and troubleshoot issues.
For Ashton, every piece of art he sells represents hours of creative and technical investment, making professional-grade printing non-negotiable. "I would never print on anything less – I've put too much effort into each image to compromise its presentation," he explains. "What I love about Lumaprints is that they offer exceptional quality at an affordable price, especially for larger pieces. That allows me to stay competitive while maintaining a healthy profit margin." This balance has given him confidence to expand his offerings without risking financial loss or client disappointment.
When advising other photographers considering professional printing services, Ashton is emphatic about making the switch. "If you haven't used a professional printing service yet, now's the time to make the switch – you'll never go back to drugstore prints again," he says. "Don't hesitate to interview potential companies; they should be able to show you exactly what they stand for. I wholeheartedly recommend Lumaprints. They strike an ideal balance between quality and affordability, and their drop shipping services are top-notch."
For Ashton, Lumaprints has evolved beyond a simple printing service to become an essential business partner at every stage of his photography enterprise. From initial concept to final client presentation, the combination of consistent quality, flexible options, and responsive support enables him to focus on creating compelling, professional-grade photographs while maintaining competitive advantages in an increasingly demanding marketplace.
