Frequently asked questions

  • Dialab is a family owned company established in 1984.

    We are a professional printing lab specialising in fine art photographic printing and archival mounting.

    We are known for our high quality and reliability. We offer fast, flexible and personal service. 

    Our product range is from photo displays, exhibitions and outdoor advertisement to home decoration.

    Our office is located in Helsinki / Sörnäinen, next to kalasatama metro station.

  • 3:2 aspect ratio – This is the most common aspect ratio in photography. It is especially known for being the standard in 35mm film cameras as well as in most digital cameras.

    4:3 aspect ratio – This ratio is typical in most compact cameras and some smartphones.

    1:1 aspect ratio – Also known as the square format, this aspect ratio is frequently used on Instagram and other social media platforms.

    4:5 aspect ratio – This is a popular aspect ratio today because it is used for vertical images on Instagram. Micro Four Thirds cameras use this ratio, as do 4×5 and 8×10 film cameras.

    16:9 aspect ratio – Widely used in photography, especially in landscape photography, digital content creation, and videography.

    A-sizes – This paper size system is most commonly used in print production, but it has also become prevalent in printing, particularly for illustrators, fine art prints, and posters. In this system, the dimensions are defined so that two A4 sheets placed side by side fit perfectly into an A3 sheet. Similarly, two A3 sheets make up an A2 sheet, and the same principle applies to larger sizes.

    See examples of aspect ratios at the bottom of the page.

  • The primary goal of colour management is to match all cameras, screens and printers so that you can be sure your picture will print as it looks on your computer screen.

    Every screen that is used for image processing needs to be calibrated. For screen calibration we use SpyderX Elite Display calibration device.

    To get high quality prints from us you don’t have to understand colour management but it helps.

    You can drop by at our office and check the pictures with us before printing.

    We will help you to get everything out from your files!

    If you are unable to visit us, we can provide you with test prints by mail,
    which you can use to make the necessary adjustments.

    We can make test prints in small size or as 1:1 size test strips.

    Price of testprints:

    • The first piece is 10,00 € and the next ones 3,00 €/pc

    • Duratrans, Fabrics, Vinyls 20–100 €/pc

    • Delivery of test prints by letter 6,00 €

    • Matkahuolto package 12,00 €

    • When you order more than 3 mounted or framed prints, we offer complimentary proof prints upon request.

    Prices listed are excluding VAT.

  • Orders and smaller files (less than 5mb) per email: tuotanto@dialab.com

    For bigger files we recommend free services:

    www.sprend.com / www.wetransfer.com

    If you use Dropbox, be sure to grant access to view and download images.

    Remember to always send a separate work order to: tuotanto@dialab.com

    Paper prints, slides, drawings and painting you can send us via postal service or drop by to our office on weekdays, mon to fri 08.00-16.00.

  • Prints 2–5 working days.

    Mounted prints 5–10 working days.

    Prints with aluminum frame 5–10 working days.

    Prints with wooden frame 7–14 working days.

    Framed or mounted exhibition prints 10–14 working days.

    If you need your prints faster, the potential discounts are not valid.

  • Basic printing information: 

    • Colour space RGB / CMYK 8/16 bit (ideal profile AdobeRGB)

    • Files can contain pictures / text / graphic

    • File types: TIF / JPG / EPS / PSD / PDF / RAW

    • Fonts must be converted as curves or attached in the files

    • If you want specific colours, tell us PMS of the colour

    • If you have sample of colour, bring it with you

    • Slide film is always printed as the slide is exposed unless told otherwise

    Epson Giclée prints

    • Ideal file resolution 240–600 ppi

    • Material widths vary from 61 cm to 162 cm

    Solvent, Eco-solvent, Latex, sublimation and flatbed prints

    • Ideal file resolution 100–200 ppi

    • Material widths vary from 50 cm to 500 cm

  • We print customer’s files just the way they are, unless we are asked otherwise.

    Without any extra charge we can make small color corrections to you prints. Just tell us what you want (vivid colours, high contrast etc.).

    For orders of more than three mounted or framed prints, we offer a complimentary hour of professional image adjustment upon request

    The file should have some colour profile; Adobe RBG is ideal for printing.

    If the file is in untagged RGB we try to choose profile where the colours look natural.

  • Laminate is a protective film that is applied to your print, helping to minimise damage to your print from scratching, UV rays and fingerprints.

    Lamination preserves the colors of your print and makes it possible to wipe out fingerprints and splashes.

    That’s why it can be a good choice for posters, navigational charts, touring exhibitions, public places and kid’s rooms.

    Our laminate choices are matt, matt-satin, glossy, highgloss, floorlaminate, antigraffitilaminate and glitter.

  • Mounting means glueing an image to a board using PH-neutral film or silicone.

    Archival mounting is a process of mounting a print or photograph to a material that will not degrade over time and where the print will not suffer degradation due to the mounting process.

    We use a PH Neutral adhesive mount film, making it compatible with sensitive FineArt papers.

    Materials such as MDF contain acids and by-products that will break down over time. Dibond, aluminium and Silisec® are fully archival.

    For home use Silisec® and Dibond-mounted prints are a great choice.

  • We can make prints from almost any kind of original. We print digital files, paper prints, paintings, drawings, negatives, slides etc.

    Printing from digital files without any extra charge.

    Other originals need to be scanned or reproduction photographed. We can scan or repro all type/size of originals.

    Its case-by-case how big enlargements you can make from paper prints, drawings and paintings.

    For example, in an image of a forest you may not see small faults in the details, but in a portrait you probably will see even the smallest scratches, pixels edges, etc.

  • Private customers: cash / credit cards / advance payment

    Businesses, unions, sole traders: as above or invoice

  • Without any fixed sizes pricing is usually rounded up to next even 10 centimeters.
    For example:  for a 21x21 cm print we charge for a 30x30 cm price.

    If you want mounted prints, the price depends on the materials used: paper quality, mounting board, possible laminate, frames, passe-partout, glass type etc.

    If all this seems confusing, don’t worry! Let us guide you in choosing the suitable product for your home, exhibition, office, summer place or a gift.

    We are more than happy to help!

    Further inquiries and offers call us +358 40 831 3000 or mail us to: tarjoukset@dialab.com.

  • We offer two different methods to make archival fine art prints:

    1. Photographic C-type Lambda-prints are made by exposing light onto color paper, which is then developed RA-4 process and washed using traditional photographic techniques.

    2. Giclée is the process of making fine art prints using Epson ink-jet printers.
      We use Epson Ultrachrome HDR inks and a range of high quality papers.

    Both methods produce fully archival fine art prints.

    Dialab is the only Hahnemühle certified studio in Finland!

    In addition we have eco-solvent, solvent, latex, flatbed and sublimation printers for different fabrics, direct printing to boards, wallpapers etc.

  • PURCHASING AND DELIVERY TERMS

    Quality concerns must be raised immediately!

    We reserve the right to change prices.

    Prices given over the phone are non-binding.

    Payment terms: 14 days net.

    Billing surcharge (for paper invoices only): €8 + VAT 25.5%.

    Late payment interest: 16% from the invoice due date.

    Late fee: €5.

    Invoice dispute period: 8 days.

    Ordered works must be collected within 14 days of completion.

    All products remain the property of Dialab until fully paid for!

    The customer is responsible for the reproduction rights of the images!

    Rush surcharge:

    No discounts for printing jobs completed in under 2 days.
    No discounts for mounting jobs completed in under 3 days.

    Payment methods:

    • Invoice (only for businesses/associations/sole proprietors)

    • Cash / debit cards

    • Bank transfer / advance payment to account / cash on delivery

    Packaging and shipping costs:

    All our products include art protection/bubble wrap packaging in the price.

    We mainly use Matkahuolto or Schenker Express for domestic deliveries.

    We only use Posti for letter deliveries unless the customer requests otherwise.

    For international packages, we use Schenker, Postnord, or Shipit, depending on the most cost-effective option for the customer.

    Courier and pickup service (weekdays 09:00–15:00):

    • Helsinki: €20–50

    • Espoo/Vantaa: €30–80

    • Other areas are calculated on a case-by-case basis

    Pricing when the customer is present during the work:

    • Epson proof print: €10.00, additional prints €3.00 each

    • Time spent with the customer present during the work: €90.00/hour

    • The customer only receives prints they have paid for

    • Image editing, if needed: €15–25/15 min

    All prices listed are excluding VAT.

  • Even professional photographers occasionally struggle with the question of just how big can they blow up their images.

    It depends on a couple of factors.

    First, how much information (photo data) there is?

    Second, image sensor quality, lens quality and camera setting.

    Third, what material will the photo be printed on and what is the topic of your print?

    You can send us your file and ask if the quality is ok for the size that you want.

    Here are some guidelines of how big you can print from digital camera files if you have right setting in your camera:

    • IPhone 5s – 100 x 75 cm

    • Nokia Lumia – 1020 180 x 100 cm

    • Panasonic DMC-GX7 – 120 x 90 cm

    • Nikon D800 – 180 x 120 cm

    • Canon EOS 5D Mark III – 180 x 120 cm

    Its case-by-case how big enlargements you can make from paper prints, drawings and paintings.

    For example, in an image of a forest you may not see small faults in the details, but in a portrait you probably will see even the smallest scratches, pixels edges, etc.